Our Coaches

Chuck McNutt - Head Coach

Chuck is a dedicated coach with over fifteen years of coaching experience.  He has a significant history in softball in St. Albert, having been involved at both the Executive level and as a coach.  His experience includes minor girls’ teams from squirts to midgets at both the “A” and “B” levels.  Chuck has competed both provincially and nationally, having coached teams at numerous local, regional, provincial and inter-provincial tournaments as well as Provincial and Western championships and Canada Cup.

Chuck prides himself on his technical knowledge and his philosophy towards fair play, but is especially insightful in understanding the individual characters and abilities of each of the athletes he coaches.  He has a keen understanding of the strategies and the rules of softball, and is always looking for new ways for from which to learn the game and to teach others.  His dedication to the teams that he coaches and his respect for the game are the hallmarks of Chuck’s reputation as a representative softball coach.

Most recently, Chuck’s teams include the Midget “A” Edmonton Bandits and the Bantam “A” St. Albert Angels.  Chuck is fully certified at NCCP Level II Softball, Level I Ringette and Level I Hockey.  He resides in St. Albert with his lovely wife Karen and son Shaun.  His two daughters Lindsay and Ashley, whom he’s coached for many years, are now off on their own life journeys.

Tara Bender - Assistant Coach

Tara is pleased to return as assistant coach of the Fastball St. Albert 94 Midget Angels for 2011.  It is her fifth year on the Angel's coaching staff. Tara is coaching her fourth season with Chuck McNutt, whom has served as a great leader and mentor.

Her coaching experience encompasses coaching her three children initially at the house league level, and has grown  to assistant coaching the Angels at the A level. She has earned her Level 1 NCCP in softball and continues to educate herself with coaching clinics that teach the latest in technical skill development, mental training and strategy. Past accomplishments include taking a coaching role at the River City Hornets Superskills Clinic, serving players in the Edmonton and area for the winter months. Tara also help lead the 94 Angels to the 2010 Bantam Canadian Championships last year, and continues to work towards providing players with a positive and competitive environment in which to grow as athletes.

Tara has years of experience playing competitive softball and volleyball, participating in the latter at the provincial level, realizing the committment and sacrifice necessary to do so. She is passionate about providing an avenue for girls in sport, playing at levels that push their boundaries, bettering themselves as athletes and as good citizens.

Tara leads with a sense of humor, while encouraging a balance of committment, loyalty, passion and camaraderie, in order to achieve success in this great game. Tara looks to the Angels 2011 season with much excitement, as this sport witnesses a rise in the interest of girl's fastball in St. Albert. This year we will be fielding the largest number of girls' teams in this sport that we have seen over many years in our city. This is to the credit of the many volunteers that it takes to see these programs not only operate, but flourish. Go Angels!