Female Apprentice Coach Program: Platner

The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) is proud to announce its 2020-21 participants in the annual Female Apprentice Coach Program (FACP) for the sport of Basketball:

VIU Mariners, PACWEST

Apprentice: Emma Platner
Mentor: Tony Bryce

The VIU Mariners Women’s Basketball coaching staff has once again been bolstered by former captain and CCAA All-Canadian Emma Platner.

She is being mentored this season by her former coach Tony Bryce as an apprentice in the CCAA’s FACP.

“I have seen and experienced the dedication and passion Tony has for this program and all of the players involved,” said Platner. “I have realized that what I learn here can be used and applied to help me reach my future career goals.”

Platner was an international student-athlete from Bend, Oregon and joined the Mariners program after three seasons of post-secondary basketball in the United States. Despite being a transfer, Platner quickly made an impact at VIU and was voted team captain by her teammates due to her commitment, compete and leadership during practices, games and in the classroom.

She led the Mariners to a Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) title in 2019 and an appearance at the CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship.

“Emma’s skill on the court was a contributing factor to the success of the team, however her love of the game, understanding of the x’s and o’s and positive effect on the people around combined to create a complete package,” said Danielle Hyde, Interim Director, Athletics & Recreation at VIU.

As a former participant in the FACP, Hyde can speak directly to 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 a CCAA apprentice coach in 2005-06 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.”

Throughout her academic and athletic career, Platner took advantage of opportunities to develop her leaderships skills. She coached youth teams in Oregon and coached at youth basketball camps at VIU. And upon completing her eligibility, Platner quickly voiced her desire to continue the transition into coaching.

Platner was one of Bryce’s first recruits when he took over the Mariners Women’s Basketball program. According to Bryce, she is like a sponge looking to absorb anything and everything possible in order to continue improving and developing.

“Emma is driven to be the best female coach in the business, and I am fortunate enough to be a part of that passion,” said Bryce. “We talk constantly, watch tape together, share resources, and discuss drills and philosophies.”

As a player, Platner was admired and respected by her teammates. That has not changed as she’s transitioned into coaching. The players love working with her and she is a joy to be around.

Platner’s mind for the game is off the charts and her former coach sees tremendous potential in her future coaching career.

“Emma loves the game of basketball and it will always be in her life,” said Bryce. “I believe Emma will grow into one of the most respected and successful female coaches in the country in due time.”

The 2020-21 season is like none other in CCAA history and even though CCAA Championships have been cancelled, 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.