Four CCAA Volleyball apprentices featured in Alberta

The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) features six first-year participants this season in the Female Apprentice Coach Program (FACP). Four of these coaches in training are working with Women's Volleyball programs in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

The FACP, which is funded in part by Sport Canada, is designed to identify and support female graduating student-athletes who demonstrate the desire and skills for coaching by providing them opportunities to share in the coaching experience in the CCAA.

At Ambrose University, Ali Leskow is being mentored by Barry Heidebrecht with the Lions.

Leskow suited up for four years at Ambrose and was named captain in her final season.

"I look back on my years on the team as some of the best, most memorable of my life, and will always cherish that time of my life," she said.

Leskow was a key player for the Lions' program and her former coach is thrilled to have her on board this season as an apprentice.

"She was very respected by her teammates as a player and I have been very excited to watch her move into a formal coaching role," said Heidebrecht.

Leskow has already accumulated an impressive coaching resume. She began working six years ago as an assistant coach at NBC camps and quickly progressed in the organization, becoming the youngest female site director for both its Canadian and American divisions – running volleyball camps in both countries. Leskow has also been involved with Pursuit Volley camps and Provincial Showcases, where she has progressed from assistant to head coach.

Additionally, Leskow has coached with the Lions Volleyball Club for the past two seasons. This season, in addition to her role with the Lions, she is coaching the 15U girls High Performance team.

"In my coaching career, I have begun to develop my tactical and analytic skills, and I know that there is endless learning to be done in this regard," she said. "In the future, I hope to be a head coach in the CCAA and U Sports and know this role at Ambrose will be instrumental in my career development."

Meanwhile, at Lakeland College, Orianna Hyndman being mentored by Austin Dyer with the Rustlers.

Hyndman is more than familiar with the coaching staff at Lakeland, having played for Dyer the last five seasons in the ACAC.

"I want to continue to expand my knowledge of the game and coaching skills, and experience using the team and coaching staff that I am very comfortable with and trust," she said. "I would also like to use this opportunity to further expand my leadership skills, because being a student-athlete provided me with a very strong base for these skills."

Hyndman' coaching and leadership experiences are mainly rooted in coaching young club teams, junior high school softball and summer volleyball camps. She has helped coach the Rustlers Volleyball Club 14U girls' team, as well as the 16U Westman Wave girls club team based out of Brandon, Manitoba. During high school, Hyndman also helped coach the junior high girls' team.

"I love watching young athletes develop a love for the sport that means so much to me and provided me with so many opportunities," she said. "It gives me great joy seeing all the progress that young athletes make."

Throughout her time with the Rustlers, Hyndman has demonstrated she has a strong mind for the game and an embedded passion for the sport of volleyball.

"I believe Orianna possesses the qualities of a leader and has the potential to learn and grow as a coach," said Dyer. "She has gained knowledge and leadership skills throughout her playing career that I believe will transfer over to the younger players on our team."

Over at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Abby O'Neill is being mentored by Erminia Russo Thorpe with the Ooks.

O'Neill, who competed as a student-athlete in both the ACAC and Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), had the opportunity to work with the Ooks coaching staff last year, and is excited to return this season as an apprentice in the FACP.

"Working with Erminia, building a relationship with her and the team, inspired me to want to further my development," said O'Neill. "After already spending a year with the program, my role will be expanding therefore preparing me for future head coaching opportunities."

O'Neill has already been involved in coaching for more than 10 years. This experience includes head coaching a team at John Paul II Catholic High School in Fort Saskatchewan, private and group training out of ASPIRE Volleyball, head coaching at Capilano University summer camps, and coaching at beach volleyball camps. She has also coached multiple years with Alberta Volleyball.

Russo Thorpe, who participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, feels fortunate to have been selected to participate in the FACP, and have the opportunity to help educate and develop the next generation of female coaches.

"I reflect to coaches I had, both as an athlete and those I worked with in my development as a coach, and the importance of having positive role models," she said. "In providing an environment for growth and development, I hope to make an impact that encourages women to choose this field as a profession that is viable and rewarding."

Finally, at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Megan Brennan is being mentored by Chantelle LaMotte with the Trojans.

The former SAIT student-athlete really began developing her leadership skills as a captain with the Trojans.  

"I was a supportive, kind, understanding but firm leader," she said. "And I plan to not only better these skills and attributes as a coach but add to the list as I learn from Chantelle and her style of leadership."

Brennan's coaching experience includes playing a supporting role at summer youth camps organized by SAIT. She was also worked as an assistant coach for the Cougars U15 Club and has volunteered at her elementary school.

"Each of these experiences have contributed greatly to not only my desire to coach and lead, but to my love of volleyball which to me, are very important aspects one needs to be a successful coach," she said.

Brennan's passion and love for the game is evident, as is her willingness to learn and commit to the Women's Volleyball program at SAIT.

"I believe this program is a great opportunity to find my personal coaching style and help me grow as a more confident leader and woman overall," she said. "I can only hope that I may help the women on my team do the same and we can continue to grow together during the different stages of our volleyball careers."

For her part, LaMotte recognizes the need for mentorship of female coaches, and wants to contribute to the advancement of women in coaching.

"Instilled in me is a strong value of creating female empowerment and a passion for helping young women develop not only their volleyball skills, but also confidence, resilience, and self efficacy," she said. "As a mentor and head coach, I want to extend the opportunities once given to me – an environment of trust, support and real-life experience contributing to overall growth as a coach.

Story provided by:  Rodney Wilson, CCAA