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:
George Brown Huskies, OCAA
Apprentice: Zae Sellers
Mentor: Warren Williams
After two standout seasons with the George Brown Huskies, Zae Sellers has returned to the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) institution as an apprentice in the CCAA’s FACP.
The two-time CCAA Academic All-Canadian will be mentored by her former head coach, Warren Williams.
Sellers has been an excellent leader and example on and off the court for a program that has gone 27-6 over her two seasons and established itself as a league power. She is currently enrolled in the Civil Engineering Technology program and scheduled to graduate in April 2021.
“Zae has tremendous leadership ability, which was demonstrated day in and day out in her time in a Huskies jersey wearing the “C”,” said Melanie Gerin-Lajoie, Manager, Athletics & Recreation at George Brown College. “With some youth coaching experience already under her belt, her joining the ranks for our college assistant coaching staff at George Brown just seemed like a natural fit.”
Sellers’ time as a student-athlete with the Huskies was nothing short of amazing. She was challenged not only as an athlete but as a person – particularly as a leader.
“I would not be the person that I am if it weren’t for their patience, encouragement, advice and challenges that have caused me to grow as a captain,” said Sellers. “I believe this experience will be the perfect opportunity for me to pay the efforts of my coaches forward to other athletes who are trying to grow as I was.”
Sellers is currently working with Williams, the long-time Huskies coach who has taken a leave of absence this season but remains with the program in a consultation role. She is also working with interim coach Omari Wiltshire, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with George Brown.
Sellers, a Minnesota native, gained coaching experience back home while working with a AA basketball for three years in various age groups, from elementary to high school.
While Sellers has exhausted her eligibility as a student-athlete, the Huskies are very thankful that she chose to cross the border and join their Women’s Basketball program.
Sellers has been the recipient of numerous college and athletics department awards and was even provided with public accolades by the President of George Brown College following an inspiring news interview after the race riots started taking place in her hometown of Minneapolis last May.
As a student-athlete, she was able to lead the team by serving as a positive role model, maintaining perfect attendance and constant all-academic status. Now as an apprentice, she hopes to bring her individual strengths and become a support role model while challenging the girls on the court and pushing them to compete
“I plan to use the connection that I have with the current athletes and form a bond that will encourage open communication and trust with the coaching staff,” said Sellers.
While COVID-19 has kept everyone distant, Sellers has been clipping film and making videos for the players to watch at home. She has also been contacting the girls to help them stay motivated during this uncertain time.
The 2020-21 season is like none other in CCAA history and even though CCAA Championships are 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.
Media Contact:
Rodney Wilson / rodney@ccaa.ca
Manager, Communications & Events
