The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) is proud to announce its 2021-22 participants in the annual Female Apprentice Coach Program (FACP) for the sport of Basketball.

This season, three former student-athletes are being mentored in CCAA Basketball.

At Champlain College Saint-Lambert in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), Isabelle Dion is being mentored by George Germanos with the Cavaliers.

Dion suited up for the Women’s Basketball program at Saint-Lambert from 2011-14. She then finished her playing career in U Sports with Ottawa University.

Over the past three seasons, Dion has been volunteering as an assistant with Germanos, her former coach, who has been with the Cavaliers program for 18 years.

“I know I still have a lot to learn, and I want to build upon my current coaching knowledge and leadership skills to be able to better mentor and develop athletes,” said Dion. “By offering them a perspective that is only a few years removed from their own, I want to provide any insight and guidance I have learned during my own career, whether it be on or off the court.”

Dion is a tremendous team player and listener who genuinely cares about the student-athletes, according to Vince Amato, Coordinator of Athletics at Champlain Saint-Lambert.

“Her ability to turn situations into ‘teachable moments’ will greatly assist the Cavaliers’ Women’s Basketball team as it continues to grow and climb the standings at both the provincial and national levels,” he said.

Meanwhile at Vanier College in the RSEQ, Metchline Gabélus is being mentored by François René with the Cheetahs.

Gabélus had a stellar career in U Sports with Bishop University, where she was a team captain. During her time at Bishop, she also managed to coach a group of young girls in a summer program.

“With the experience that I have acquired throughout my basketball journey, I will be able to share my knowledge and leadership experience to athletes,” said Gabélus.

Mai Nguyen, Student Life Advisor-Athletics at Vanier College, had the pleasure of coaching Gabélus for three years on Quebec’s provincial team.

“She is a very passionate young woman, with a lot of energy, enthusiasm and a lot of experience,” said Nguyen, who also serves as the CCAA Women’s Basketball Convenor.

Gabélus will work closely with René, who is entering his fourth season as Head Coach of the Cheetahs.

This is Rene’s second stint as a mentor in the CCAA’s FACP. During the 2019-20 season, he worked with apprentice Emily Prevost, who is still currently part of the Women’s Basketball coaching staff at Vanier.

And finally, at Vancouver Island University (VIU) in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), Kayla Gromme is being mentored by Mark Simpson with the Mariners.

Simpson, who led VIU to its first CCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship title in 1993-94, is now an Assistant Coach with the Mariners’ Men’s Basketball program.

Gromme played one year of NCAA Division I basketball at Idaho State before finishing her career with four seasons at VIU in the PACWEST.

While competing as a student-athlete, she had the opportunity to coach at youth and high school levels through the VIU Summer camps, UVic Summer camps and Island Swish Youth in Nanaimo.

She is grateful for this FACP experience and the opportunity to grow, learn and prepare for a career in coaching.

“I love the competition, the commitment and the grind that varsity athletes have for their sport,” said Gromme. “I want to help each player and program maximize their highest potential.”

Gromme is excited to work with the VIU Men’s Basketball program because it matches the energy, intensity and level of basketball she wants to be involved in.

“I think there is definitely a place for women coaching in the men’s game and I want to be a part of breaking down that barrier,” said Gromme. “I want to be an example for girls in my community showing them that women can coach at high levels and in Men’s Basketball.”

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 mentorship and practical coaching experience in the CCAA.