CCAA Volleyball apprentice: Rachel Sears

A total of 13 first-year aspiring female coaches will participate in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s (CCAA) Female Apprentice Coach Program (FACP) during the 2023-24 season.

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.

In CCAA Volleyball, four female apprentice coaches will be featured this season.

At Dalhousie Agricultural Campus (DAL AC), Rachel Sears will be mentored by Carrie Peck with the Rams in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA).

Sears is a natural leader and a multi-sport athlete who played both soccer and volleyball at DAL AC. Sports has played a crucial part of her life and has helped shape Sears into the person she is today.

“I have felt the heartbreak and joy that competition brings,” said Sears, a former team captain with the Rams. “The individual success and awards are not near as important as the memories and relationships I have made.”

Sears has already had the opportunity to work with Peck as an assistant coach for several seasons at the club volleyball level. She has seen firsthand the transformative power that sports can have on young women.

“From building confidence and resilience, to fostering teamwork and leadership skills, the benefits of sports participation are clear,” said Sears. “However, I have also seen the barriers that females wishing to work in sport face, including lack of access to resources and opportunities.”

As a student-athlete, Sears always had a team-first mentality and was able to connect with her teammates in a way that helped them understand that to have success, they need to work together, according to Peck.

“It became very apparent to me that Carrie was a natural leader and passionate about helping athletes fulfill their potential in academics, athletics, and developing life skills,” she said.

Sears was also depended on by Peck, when she re-established summer camps at DAL AC and relied heavily on her student-athlete to step in and be a senior counsellor.

“She connects easily with young athletes and parents really enjoy seeing a local athlete transition to becoming a coach and giving back to the sport,” said Peck.

Over the years, Sears has grown into a resilient individual who understands the importance of hard work, dedication, time management, teamwork, and collaboration. She’ll be an excellent fit with the Rams as an apprentice coach.

“Carrie is a responsible coach, who provides a safe, enjoyable, and inclusive environment that fosters mutual respect and open communication so athletes can develop and reach their ultimate potential,” said Andrew Harding, Associate Director, Athletic Services at DAL AC.

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The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) enriches the academic experiences of student-athletes by providing leadership, programs and services that foster development through high-level competitive opportunities in intercollegiate sport.

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