Female Apprentice Coach Program: Foglietta

During her five-year career at Vancouver Island University (VIU), Nicole Foglietta led the Mariners to three Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) titles in Women’s Soccer. Now, she has re-joined the team as an apprentice coach in the CCAA’s FACP.

Foglietta will be mentored by Kevin Lindo, her former coach at VIU. Together, they also earned a silver medal at the 2019 CCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship.

“I think there is no better way to improve upon my coaching skills than from learning from the coach that has already improved my skill as a player so much,” said Foglietta. “Adding this program to my coaching resume will help me greatly in achieving my future goals by giving me the chance to have hands-on learning experience from a highly trained coach.”

Last season, Foglietta was fortunate to also participate in a year-long coach apprenticeship class led by an NCCP Certified professor Rick Bevis. They discussed coaching theories and reviewed tactics and leadership. She also completed 60 hours of coaching, working with the Upper Island U18 Girls Storm, as well as 10 hours of professional development.

Foglietta, who is graduating with a Kinesiology Major, would like to work as a personal trainer as well as help train and protect players from preventable injuries.

At VIU, Foglietta has already established herself as a well-respected leader. She earned the 2018 VIU Mariners Unsung Hero Award as voted on by her peers and has also been a valuable asset as a student worker with the Athletics and Recreation team.

While the PACWEST Soccer season has been cancelled due to COVID-19, the Mariners are currently training and will continue to do so throughout the fall.

The 2020-21 season is like none other in CCAA history and even though CCAA Championships will not proceed, coach education and training – which is key to the CCAA’s FACP – is being further supplemented via the FACP Leadership Development Program. This Leadership Program is developed by former CCAA student-athlete and current CCAA Head Coach and Doctoral student Danielle Cyr, who will be facilitating the mentorship process. 

Lindo, who is in his fifth season with the Mariners, brings plenty of experience into his mentor role with the CCAA. He is also Learner Facilitator for BC Soccer and the NCCP program as well as the Athlete and Coach Services Coordinator for PacificSport Vancouver Island.

Danielle Hyde, Interim Director, Athletics & Recreation at VIU, is a former participant in the CCAA’s FACP and fully understands the benefits that the program provides young women as they propel into the coaching world.

“When I finished my playing career, I missed the camaraderie and competition immensely and I wanted to remain involved,” said Hyde, who was inducted into the CCAA Hall of Fame (2017) in the Athlete category and was a CCAA apprentice coach in 2005-06 (the first year of the program) and again in 2008-09. “I was able to do so as a mentee with this program and stuck with coaching for a number of years after participating.”

As a future coach, Foglietta wants to help create that great team environment in which she first fell in love with the sport. Along the way, she’s had several coaches who have inspired her to keep playing.

“All of my coaches have made impacts on me as a player and as a human and I would not be who I am today without their help,” said Foglietta. “Knowing how large of an impact a coach can make on a player inspires me to make positive impacts as a role model for future players.”

Media Contact:
Rodney Wilson / rodney@ccaa.ca
Manager, Communications & Events