Amanda [Wilcox] Chiasson is one of the finest female athletes New Waterford has ever produced. From a young age, Amanda excelled in any sport she played. Amanda got her start playing basketball and soccer at St. Agnes Elementary under the tutelage of local sports legend, Mike Kennedy. 

Amanda’s athletic career took flight after entering Junior High at Breton Education Centre, where she played basketball and soccer from grades 7 through 9. Amanda ended her Junior High career being selected as the school’s Co-Athlete of the year. During that timeframe Amanda played on an outstanding junior high basketball team, which captured the Nova Scotia Midget Title in 1987-88. Amanda continued to excel in basketball and soccer after entering high school in the fall of 1988. 

Over a three year period, she was a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood and soccer pitch. Amanda received many accolades during her high school career, copping MVP-honors in basketball as a grade 11 student and winning MVP in soccer as a grade 12. In the 1990-91 season, Amanda led the Cape Breton High School AAA Basketball League in scoring, averaging 21 points per game. Amanda rounded out her outstanding high school sports career as the Female Athlete of the Year at B.E.C. 

During the summers of 1987 and 1988 Amanda was a key member of the Nova Scotia Midget Basketball team. In 1989 Amanda was the starting point guard for the Nova Scotia Juvenile team. 

Amanda’s athletic career continued to shine as she entered St. F.X. University, where she to excelled in basketball as a key member of Doc Ryan’s stellar aggregation. Amanda was a strong player at both ends of the court, a prolific 3 Point shooter and strong defender, winning most improved player honors in 1993. 

Amanda decided to play soccer in her senior year at St.F.X., leading the team to their first playoff appearance after a 6 year hiatus. From her sweeper position, Amanda was the inspirational leader of the team. Amanda’s soccer and leadership skills were aptly recognized as she was named the the All Conference Team as well as being named as a Second Team, All Canadian; a remarkable feat for a player in their first year of university soccer. 

Amanda was able to keep her soccer skills sharp as she toiled for the Cape Breton Coca Cola Kixx during the summers. The Kixx copped the Nova Scotia championship during the 1993 season and represented the province at the National Championship Tournament in Toronto. 

Throughout her athletic career, Amanda enjoyed the support of her parents, Richie and Janet as well as her siblings, Richelle, Stephen and Richie.

After graduating from St. F. X. with a Physical Education Degree, Amanda moved to Ottawa to start her teaching career. While in Ontario, Amanda served as Assistant Coach of the Holy Trinity boys basketball team for five seasons. The team made two successful trips to Coal Bowl in 1999 and 2002 finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively. Amanda also spent time officiating basketball while in Ontario. Amanda and fellow New Waterford native, Robbie Chiasson, who was living in Ottawa at the time. were married, in July of 2001. In July of 2002, Amanda and Robbie moved back to New Waterford.

 After returning home, Amanda began her career as a substitute teacher. Amanda also began her coaching career with stints as Riverview Girls Basketball coach from 2002 to 2005. Amanda continued her impressive career as a coach while teaching at Holy Angels from 2006 to 2011. Amanda coached basketball, track & field, soccer and cross country at the all girls school. From 2011 to 2014 Amanda taught Physical Education and Yoga at Sydney Academy while serving as the school’s cross country coach. Amanda transferred to Glace Bay High in 2014 and continues to teach there. Amanda also continued her impressive coaching career in Glace Bay, coaching, soccer, cross country and track & field. 

Amanda has also found time to give back to her hometown, having coached numerous teams at BEC since 2015, including: Middle School boys basketball girls soccer, JV boys and girls basketball. This past fall Amanda coached the BEC JV girls soccer to team to a Highland Championship and a Silver medal at provincials. Currently Amanda is coaching the JV girls basketball team. 

Amanda and Robbie have three children who are carrying on the family’s strong athletic tradition. Catie, Justin and Conor are all enjoying success in their respective basketball, soccer, hockey and Highland Dancing endeavours. Conor is a key member of the Bears who are seeking their third Coal Bowl Title. 

Amanda Chiasson was a stellar athlete who is now creating a splendid legacy as a builder, Coal Bowl 2020 is honored to have Amanda serve as a Division Chair, an honor she shares with her late husband, Robbie Chiasson.

The late Robbie Chiasson was an accomplished all around athlete in his younger years. As an adult, he embarked on a remarkable coaching career. 

The son of Lucy and the late Joseph Chiasson, Robbie developed his love of sports as a youngster playing road hockey on Nicholson Avenue, Lee Hawkers on Mount Carmel Avenue and football in the Mount Carmel churchyard. Robbie attended Mount Carmel Elementary where he and his buddies participated in soccer and basketball. Robbie also played baseball and soccer in the summer months. Robbie was a bit of a prodigy as a youth hockey player, having recorded an astounding 100 goal season as an Atom level player. 

It’s fitting that Robbie is being honored at Coal Bowl as he was a member of the Bears from 1985 to 1987. Robbie played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Bears upset of Magee High school in the 1987 Coal Bowl. Robbie directed the offense in the huge upset that saw the team advance to its’ first finals, before succumbing to the powerhouse Frontenac squad from Kingston, Ontario. 

Robbie's first love was soccer, and he proudly wore the BEC colors from Junior through Senior High. His prowess in soccer and basketball earned him the Junior High Athlete of the year in the Spring of 1984. ‘Frog” as he was affectionately called, was a key member of the senior high Bears as they captured the NSSAF “AAA” soccer championship in 1984-85 school year. After high school, Robbie went on to St. F.X. where he enjoyed a stellar four year career in the cathedral town. 

After graduation from St.F.X., Robbie embarked on a teaching career at Lester B. Pearson High School in Ottawa. Robbie was an active coach and President of the Intermediate Athletic Association. He led the Panthers to back to back OFSSA boys soccer titles. Robbie was also instrumental in bringing Gaelic Football into the school system. 

Robbie and Amanda were married in 2001 and decided to move back home in 2002. Shortly thereafter, Robbie was hired as the Technical Director for Soccer Cape Breton. In 2003, Robbie was appointed Head Coach of the CBU Men’s Soccer team. Robbie transformed the CBU soccer program as they became a force at the national level. In his first year as coach, he received the AUS Coach of the Year Award. The Capers, under Robbie’s direction captured three AUS titles, while winning silver and bronze medals at the national championships. His buddy and Father In Law, Richie Wilcox, served as his Assistant Coach and confidant during those years. Remarkably, Robbie’s success in coaching at CBU came while he held a full time job as a much beloved Physical Education teacher.

Before his untimely passing, Robbie had been enjoying coaching and watching his three children play sports. He coached Senior High Bears to the Highland Division 2 Soccer title and the CBFC U 15 team to a provincial banner, with Robbie’s son Conor as a key member of both teams. He also coached his youngest son, Justin, with the CBFC winter squad and the New Waterford summer soccer team. Robbie also enjoyed watching his daughter, Catie, perform as a competitive dancer, soccer and basketball player. 

Coal Bowl 2020 is very pleased to have a Division named in Robbie’s honor. The board of directors, welcomes Robbie’s mother, Lucy and his siblings, Wendy, Joanne, Wayne and “Squiber” to the tournament to help recognise Robbie and Amanda’s achievement and of course, cheer on Conor as he leads the Bears in their quest for their third Coal Bowl title.