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 Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), Alexandra Pullishy will be mentored by Lauren Hale-Miller with the Wolves in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
Pullishy suited up for the Wolves the last five seasons – the final two years as captain.
“I developed many leadership skills, supporting and leading my team in practices, games, training sessions and in the classroom,” she said. “I felt I was able to connect with all my teammates, providing encouragement when necessary while pushing them to do their best on the court.”
Throughout high school and her first year of university, Pullishy served as a coach or assistant coach to elementary, junior high and club teams. These experiences sparked her love of coaching.
Moving forward, she hopes to be a positive contributor as an apprentice with the NWP Women’s Volleyball program by learning from her previous coaches and supporting student-athletes both in their physical and mental game.
“Since I have only recently graduated from volleyball, I hope to connect with players, understand their perspectives on the court, and provide feedback on their skill,” said Pullishy.
Hale-Miller, who is also the Athletics Manager at NWP, has been coaching volleyball for 13 years – this is her 8th season coaching in the CCAA. Prior to heading out West, she coached at the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) for three seasons.
In addition to her work in the CCAA, Hale-Miller also had the opportunity to coach with Team New Brunswick and Team Alberta as well as multiple volleyball clubs and youth programs in New Brunswick and Alberta.
One of the most rewarding experiences she’s had in her coaching career to date was being selected to take part in the Women in Coaching Canada Games Apprenticeship Program. During the apprenticeship, Hale-Miller learned more than just volleyball from her mentor, Monette Boudreau-Carroll of the University of Moncton.
“I learned lifelong skills that I have been able to incorporate into both my personal and professional life,” she said. “The most valuable lesson I took away from the experience is that women can have a family and still have a successful career in coaching sport.”
At NWP, Hale-Miller encourages learning and development on and off the court by creating a positive learning environment through teamwork, character building, communication, and community.
“I am passionate about developing and inspiring young women to believe in themselves and to help them achieve their dreams,” she said.
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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
