Local teacher and football coach Robert Cullen has inched closer to winning a national coaching award prize package worth approximately $25,000 that he will put towards Westman Youth Football as well as the Neelin Spartan football program.

The Journal reported in December that Cullen had been nominated for the Campbell's Chunky Most Valuable Coach Award. From Sept. 14 of last year to Jan. 6, Canadians were encouraged to nominate a coach who has made a real difference in their respective communities.

Since that time, however, Cullen and five other coaches have been chosen from 878 others across Canada as the “final six.” People are now encouraged to cast their vote for one of the finalists. The national award is an online competition with votes for the winner being accepted until March 14.

“I’m pretty excited to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Cullen. “To be able to be part of the final six is amazing.”

Cullen’s wife Sherilyn nominated Robert at the beginning of the competition and says in an email to the Journal that she nominated her husband for several reasons, most notably because of his hard work and dedication he puts into football in Westman.

“I firmly believe that Robert deserves this award for the countless hours he puts into football for our community and the province,” stated Sherilyn in the email. “He loves football and contributing to the sport is his passion. He never wants recognition for his dedication and was hesitant to accept this nomination.”

Cullen says if he does win the competition, he plans to use the winnings on a new “home base” which includes the development of a 3600 square-foot football field house, which would include lockers and storage for equipment for Westman Youth Football.

Since 2001, Cullen, the head coach of the Neelin Spartans varsity football team, has been involved in football one way or another in Brandon, coaching in the Westman Youth Football Association. He also coached a peewee team to a championship this past season.

To learn more about the national competition and to cast a vote, go online to www.chunkymvc.ca.