(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

go gulls!

Sylvan Lake Gulls head coach to step away and focus on baseball operations role

Aug 6, 2025 | 1:27 PM

The Sylvan Lake Gulls’ first head coach will step away from the dugout once this WCBL season has wrapped up.

The Gulls are hoping that’s still several weeks away as they begin their quest for a WCBL championship tonight in game one of the opening round against the Lethbridge Bulls at Gulls Field.

For Chatwood, his journey with the Gulls began in early 2020, being named head coach; in 2022, he took on the title of general manager, managing baseball operations ever since. That includes player recruitment.

After the 2025 season is complete, he’ll be solely be the general manager of baseball operations, as per president and COO Aqil Samuel who shared the news on Wednesday.

“Jason is the main reason that the Gulls have been competitive right from that first season. Under Coach Chatwood’s leadership, the Gulls have won 178 regular season games, and also another seven playoff victories,” Samuel said in a release.

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“We appreciate everything he has done in the early years of our franchise, not only winning baseball games on the field, but helping build our culture, representing us in our community, and developing the young men that come through Sylvan Lake the last five years.”

Chatwood will also stay on as an associate coach.

“The Gulls organization would like to thank his wife, Heather, and both boys, for allowing Jason the vast amount of time away from the family, and to be committed to this organization as head coach,” Samuel added.

“We completely respect Jason’s decision to spend more time with his family, and it only proves the type of character individual that he is.”

A new head coach will be announced shortly after the season is over.

Opening round playoff schedule

Game 1: Wednesday, August 6 at 7:05 p.m. – @ Sylvan Lake

Game 2: Thursday, August 7 at 7:05 p.m. – @ Lethbridge

Game 3: Friday, August 8 at 7:05 p.m. – @ Sylvan Lake (if necessary)