A pair of Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) basketball apprentices will return this season for a second year of mentorship in the Female Apprentice Coach Program (FACP).
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 the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), Metchline Gabélus will be mentored once again by François René at Vanier College with the Cheetahs.
Gabélus was able to work on her confidence as a young coach last season in the FACP, a program she believes is having a tremendous impact on her potential coaching career.
“Although it was only my first year, I believe that there is so much more to learn in order to become a good coach,” she said. “This second-year mentorship opportunity will allow me to work on the tactical aspect of the game.”
This past summer, Gabélus also had the opportunity to serve as an assistant coach with the U15 Team Quebec. With this experience under her belt, she’ll be an even stronger asset to the Cheetahs coaching staff this upcoming season.
At Vanier, Gabélus continues to bring a different dimension to the staff. She is involved and committed to improving the team with positive and contagious energy. Gabélus, according to her mentor coach, connects with players, is eager to learn and is quite passionate.
“After one year of mentorship, Metchline has a desire to potentially pursue a career into coaching or continue learning,” said René. “I believe this is the best indicator that this program is working: having a young passionate apprentice falling in love with coaching.”
Meanwhile, over in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), Kayla Gromme will be mentored by Tony Bryce at Vancouver Island University (VIU) with the Mariners.
Last year, Gromme was an apprentice with the Men’s Basketball program at VIU and this year, she’ll return to a VIU team that hosted the 2022 CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship – ultimately losing in the gold-medal final.
“Tony’s team played in front of a packed house at VIU, and came away just short losing in overtime,” said Danielle Hyde, Director, Athletics & Recreation at VIU. “I know that (Tony) is eager to get back to that spot and having another female leader on the bench with him will be so valuable.”
In working with the Men’s Basketball team, Gromme was able to take away new strategies, skills, and experience, learning from some of the best in the collegiate game. Now, her focus is on bringing the same energy and passion that she once brought to the Mariners as captain of the Women’s Basketball team.
“Working with a men’s team was a very fun new role to step into but I am now looking to see the side of the sport that I have such a strong passion for with the women’s team,” said Gromme.
Bryce is a coach she is familiar with, having played for him later in her career. And Gromme believes she can bring a great leadership role to an up-and-coming team who will be filled with lots of new faces and personalities.
“I would love to play a part in continuing to create the amazing culture that the Mariners are known for and to push these girls to become the best student athletes that they can be,” she said.
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Rodney Wilson / rodney@ccaa.ca
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