Paul Doiron’s first memories of Antigonish sports were at his local ball field in Pomquet where he grew up with his seven siblings. These ball sessions were often unorganised, and consisted of kids in the local area. In his teenage years, Paul joined the Antigonish Guysborough Rural (AGR), playing softball for both the Pomquet and Ranch teams between 1972 and 1982.
In 1982, Paul’s softball career would pivot from player to coach. That year, Ronnie “Miller” MacDonald recruited Paul to help coach a local Bantam Team, and together they led the group to a Provincial Championship. It was this early success, and the leadership of Hall of Fame coach Ronnie MacDonald, that laid the foundation for Paul’s own legendary coaching career.
In 1983, now with some coaching experience under his belt, Paul helped set up a Pomquet AGR team as head coach. Paul led the Pomquet Reds up to 1988 when they won an AGR title, after finishing 2nd the year before. The team had a largely homegrown roster, and a challenging dynamic of both competitive and recreational players. Within his first few years as a coach, Paul established his adaptive coaching philosophy. He was capable of incorporating players of all skill levels, while balancing player development and the desire for winning.
In 1988, Paul’s daughter Stacy began showing an interest in softball. Paul took the reins of the Pleasantdale Girls team, operating out of a ball field in Clydesdale, with Stacy joining the roster. The team won a provincial title in 1988, and in 1990 finished 2nd in the province after winning the Eastern Passage Invitational. That year the pewee girls hosted the Eastern Canadians at the Antigonish Regional Field. The team won the round robin stage and placed 2nd to the Laurentides Lynx team from Quebec. Paul’s girls teams featured real talented players. In 1990 pitcher Brenda Farrel won tournament MVP in Eastern Passage, with Stacy Doiron named Top Batter. At provincials that year Serena Landry was named Top Batter and Pauline Horne Top Defensive Player. At Eastern Canadians Katrina Reddick and Pauline Horne were named team MVP’s, while Brenda Farrel was top pitcher for the tournament. Both Brenda and Stacy would go on to play NCAA Softball in the States, Stacy representing Central Missouri, and Brenda playing for Kennesaw State, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025.
Pleasantdale Pewee ‘A’ Girls Softball Team – 1990
In 1993, Paul was selected as an assistant coach for Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games. Around this time period he also coached the Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School team, along with local Peewee Boys, Bantam Girls, and Midget Girls teams. In 1994 Paul’s Antigonish Midgets Snow Queen Aces Hosted Nationals. It was a great opportunity for Paul’s girls team and an Antigonish host committee to represent Antigonish and welcome teams from all across Canada to their hometown.
The Antigonish Aces Midget A Girls team, who hosted the 1994 Nationals:
2002 was another special year for Paul. As head coach, he guided his Midget “A” Boys team to the Canadian Championship in Napanee, Ontario. The season’s success earned Paul multiple honours, including Softball Canada Coach of the Year, Softball Nova Scotia Coach of the Year, and AGR Coach of the Year. His championship team was also recognized as Softball Nova Scotia’s Team of the Year.
Until 2012, Paul continued to coach a variety of age groups, including high school, junior, intermediate and senior teams. A few of Paul’s achievements include: Provincial Champions in 1982, ‘88, ‘91, ‘94, ‘96, ‘97, ‘99 and 2000 as coach for various age categories, 2nd at the 2004 Canadian Jr Men’s Fast Pitch Champions and 1st at the 2002 Midget Boys Canadian Championship.
As an administrator, Paul helped to create the Pleasantdale Softball Association, served as the president of the AGR Softball Association and in 2001 was appointed Softball Nova Scotia’s Minor Boys Coordinator. He also organized various houseleague seasons, provincial schedules and clinics.
As a coach, Paul had a unique ability to instill belief in his team and individuals. He identified and developed his players to their full potential, helping a number of young athletes reach provincial, national and NCAA levels. Paul is proud of the supporting environment he created for all his players, no matter their skill level or playing experience. His decades of contributions also helped to ensure the proper management of facilities and teams throughout Antigonish County.
Paul has worked as an electrical engineer in Antigonish for nearly 50 years, and resides in Clydesdale. He and his wife, Dorothy, who he credits with supporting him throughout his coaching career, raised three children: Stacy, Daniel, and Robert.
Paul Doiron, 2026, posing with his 2002 awards
Submitted with help from Doug MacLellan, August 7th 2026