2012-13 CCAA FEMALE APPRENTICE COACH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

The CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association) is pleased to announce the successful candidates participating in the 2012-2013 CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program.

The CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program will offer coaching opportunities to 12 apprentices training under mentor coaches in soccer, cross-country running, volleyball and basketball.

The CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program targets female graduating student-athletes to participate in collegiate sport as apprentice coaches. The program provides grants for professional development opportunities and operational costs associated with the apprentice coach. Apprentice coaches typically aid in player scouting, team communications, training exercises, skill development and administrative duties throughout the season.

The CCAA Female Apprentice Coach program is funded by Sport Canada.

"Thanks to Sport Canada, we're able to provide apprentices coaches with education, practical experience and qualified mentor coaches," states program chair Yvonne Becker. "It serves to increase their competencies and enrich Canada's coaching ranks for the future."

The CCAA's goal is to have one female coach on the staff of each women's sports program.

We are pleased to announce the candidates for the 2012-13 CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program:

SOCCER

Fleming Knights, OCAA

Apprentice: Tierney King
The former women's soccer captain and recent fitness and health promotion graduate plans to apply her knowledge to the Fleming women's soccer team. Mentor coach Tony Bombino already has nothing but praise: "She possesses very good communication skills, has developed a very good understanding of soccer tactics, and is constantly working at improving herself and others around her."

Mentor: Tony Bombino
The NCCP level 3 certified coach has over 15 years experience coaching outdoor and indoor soccer. Fleming's athletic director is "certain Tony will give Tierney the best possible experience which will assist her in becoming a quality coach in CCAA."

VOLLEYBALL

Redeemer Royals, OCAA

Apprentice: Chantel Schutten
The former team captain and recent physical education and business graduate would love to add the title of 'head coach' to her career in sport administration. "Being a member of the volleyball team was an amazing experience helped me develop as a person and as a leader," says Schutten. "I would love to be able to return as a coach to help new athletes."

Mentor: Doug Veldman
Veldman is a fully certificated NCCP level 2 volleyball coach who's spent two years with the Redeemer Royals. He's also served as assistant coach of the U19 provincial women's program at the National Training Centre in Manitoba.

BASKETBALL

Fanshawe Falcons, OCAA

Apprentice: Brittany Denneny
It's no wonder the Fanshawe Falcon's manager of athletics refers to Brittany as the "ideal candidate" for the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program; she's armed with post-secondary playing experience, expertise in fitness, nutrition and high performance training, and her goal is to become a head coach at an elite competitive level.

Mentor: Matthew White
White has led the Fanshawe Falcons' women's basketball team for four seasons; in that time he's earned an OCAA bronze medal and twice been named OCAA West coach of the year. He is a NCCP level-2 certified basketball coach who believes the FACP "provides an extraordinary opportunity to facilitate personal and professional growth. Brittany has a bright future ahead of her."

Durham Lords, OCAA

Apprentice: Erin Emery
Erin Emery ended her 5-year career as the Durham Lords' team captain and all-time leading scorer in women's basketball. "It's not only a profession, it's my passion. Basketball has been part of my life for a long time, and the next progressive step for me is to coach." She's already earned coaching experience at Durham's summer camps.

Mentor: Tim Baulk
Having previously held the role of apprentice himself, NCCP level 4-certified coach Tim Baulk knows the value of such as opportunity. "This program will encourage potential coaches to act as role models; not only at their institution but in society."

Seneca Sting, OCAA

Apprentice: Samantha Evans
Samantha has a passion to coach, teach and inspire basketball athletes on and off the court; her dream is to do so at the elite level. She's a former team captain, OCAA Best Defensive Player of the Year, and competed at the 2009 and 2012 CCAA Women's Basketball National Championships.

Mentor: Craig Walker
The Seneca Sting women's basketball team have qualified for the postseason for 12 years straight; the past five years have been under the leadership of Craig Walker. "I have been involved with coaching for 20+ years now, and it has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life," says Walker. "The opportunity to share my experiences with an athlete like Samantha Evans is one I would thoroughly enjoy."  Walker previously served as a mentor in 2009.

Additional professional development fund will be provided to the following FACP participants:

Fanshawe Falcons, OCAA
Apprentice Sarah King and mentor James Welsh, women's soccer

Source: CCAA Communications