The 2015 EBCA Convention is taking place for the first time in Lisbon, Portugal from November 13 to 15, 2015. We’ll introduce you to the speakers. Registration is possible via www.baseball-in-europe.com.
Meet the Speakers – Les McTavish – Vauxhall Academy
Les McTavish along with his wife Kim and 3 children (Shaye 2003, Brennan 2005, Teya 2009) call Lethbridge, AB home. McTavish grew up in Alberta before taking his successful Team Alberta playing career to Washington State University in Pullman, WA. The Cougs compete in the National Powerhouse Pac 12 Conference and over 4 years (1997-2000) at WSU McTavish finished 2nd all-time in career appearances as well as 3 time honorable mention all-academic team.
Following McTavish’s successful playing career he has been full-time in baseball as a coach, scout, administration, director and manager. Since 2001 McTavish has been a part time scout with the Seattle Mariners Organization being part of several high profile Canadian draft picks under mentor Wayne Norton. Over the last 15 years McTavish has coached at every level of Canadian baseball ranging from American Legion to College Baseball to Team Alberta and College Summer Baseball.
Coach McTavish was part of the Canadian National Junior Coaching staff in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 that produced 2 bronze medals with the likes of MLB standout Brett Lawrie, James Paxton and Phillip Aumont. Over the last 10 years Coach McTavish has been the Head Coach & Director of Operations at the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball. The Vauxhall Academy is the first full-time Academy in Canada and has been a leader in athletic development in Canada. The Academy setting is in a small rural community in Southern Alberta and over the last 10 years has helped transform the area into an elite baseball development business model. The Academy’s new (2012) residence house all athletes as well as 7 professional staff members who provide a vehicle for success within the Academy’s moto; “Better Person..Better Player.
Over the last 10 years at the helm of the Academy over 110 student-athletes that have went on to play college baseball, over 35 players have been with the Canadian National Junior Team and 15 professional draft picks. Over the last 4 years Bob Elliot with the Canada Baseball Network has listed McTavish as one of the most influential Canadians in baseball.
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