Making a positive difference

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

As a volunteer high school coach, the affable Richmond man has guided teams to great heights in volleyball and basketball. But equally important in the eyes of his peers and players is an emphasis on fair play, garnering a far-reaching legion of admiration and respect.

"He does outstanding work for hundreds of people but remains modest," said Mike Charlton, who as athletic director at H.J. Cambie secondary has known Ens for the last nine years. "We're so lucky he's at Cambie. He's like a working partner, a motivator and a developer of athletes and programs."

Ens, who guided the Crusaders to the B.C. triple-A senior girls' volleyball title three weeks ago and is now coaching the senior girls' basketball team, is also a valuable resource for the entire Richmond school district, Charlton said.

"He's assisted me in finding coaches when need be and he's also helped other schools."

Prior to Cambie, Ens coached at J.N. Burnett and Matthew McNair secondaries and was instrumental in the success of their athletic programs while always demonstrating class and dignity.

"Fun is always apparent with his teams," Charlton said. "He provides such a positive experience for the kids and they come out of it better people. You always see him model patience, yet perseverance. It's not fate, it's just the way he cares for kids, and they have an immediate bond with him that is indicative of any fine coach."

Carla Bradstock, a Grade 12 student at Cambie and the most valuable player at the recent provincial volleyball championships, said Ens has a very nurturing personality.

"Eric is just a fantastic person, much more than a coach to everyone," she said. "(As a coach) he's intense yet he helps you (build self-confidence)."

Rudi Kitzmann, a Grade 11 member of the volleyball team, said Ens is always encouraging his players to be the best they can.

"And when we do a good job he tells us," Kitzmann said.

Burnett vice-principal Glenn Kishi has coached many games against Ens' teams through the years and has great respect for his coaching colleague.

"He cares about kids and puts in a lot of time for them," Kishi said. "It's fun coaching against Eric because you know his teams are well-disciplined and you're going to get a good game."

Ens would be a great teacher, Kishi said, but he's making a difference in other ways.

Ens is the Richmond coordinator for Campus Life, a Christian organization for youth. One of the group's missions is helping to provide positive opportunities for young people.

"I think I got a passion to coach from Bill Disbrow," said Ens, who played for the long-time Richmond High coach in 1977. "I was the sixth man coming off the bench and I played centre and guard in Grade 12. I had to learn all the positions."

The following year he became a volunteer coach and has been one ever since. And the rewards continue to grow.

"For me the most satisfaction is just seeing the hard work and the results (the kids get)," he said.

He said it was additionally satisfying to see the support that Cambie, as a school body, threw behind their team at the provincial volleyball tournament.

Ens has also played a pivotal role in the growth of the community-based Air Attack volleyball club which has been instrumental in the ever-increasing success of local high school volleyball clubsparticularly at Cambie, R.A. McMath and Hugh McRoberts. Teams from all three schools participated in the B.C. championships this season with the majority of the players belonging to Air Attack."

"I'm proud of Air Attack," Ens said. "But it's all about working together."

Besides Disbrow's influence, Ens also points to former coaches like Matt Phillips and Bill McKittrick whose emphasis on life skills and hard work would help shape his own philosophies. He sees extra-curricular activities such as athletics and the arts as important aspects of a fulfilling and rewarding education. The experiences gained from participating in such activities, such as learning how to handle stress, can be very helpful throughout your life, he said.