14 BC Coaches selected for Mentorship Program at the 2016 BC Summer Games

Vancouver, BC – Fourteen coaches from six BC communities have been chosen to participate in the BC Games Coach Mentorship Program as part of the Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games.

A partnership initiative between viaSport and the BC Games Society, the mentorship program pairs apprentice and mentor coaches for unique hands-on experience and training at the Games.  The program assists coaches in enhancing and developing their coaching skills with the ultimate goal to pursue higher levels of coaching certification.
 
“The BC Games Coach Mentorship Program highlights the personal commitment and the passion to develop athletes that BC’s top coaches possess,” says Sheila Bouman, viaSport CEO. “We are proud to work with the BC Games Society and BC’s Provincial Sport Organizations to offer BC’s emerging coaches this incredible learning experience.”
 
Coach pairs are nominated by their Provincial Sport Organization and earn professional development credits toward the National Coaching Certification Program.
 
“Volleyball BC is proud to be part of the apprenticeship program,” said Chris Densmore, CEO of Volleyball BC.  “It is incredibly valuable to the recruiting and development of young female coaches in our sport.  Not only will these coaches learn valuable lessons from their mentors, but they will also serve as great role models for their athletes.”
 
Jennifer Callow (Lake Country) is one of the mentor coaches with volleyball and she will have the unique opportunity to mentor her 17 year old son, Ethan, as a coach at these Games.  She has coached at two previous BC Summer Games as well as having a lead volunteer role as the Director of Promotions with the 2006 BC Summer Games in Kamloops. 
 
“The BC Games provide an opportunity for coaches to develop their skills under the unique conditions seen at a multi-sport event,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society.  “We know that these coaches will benefit from the experience and take their new skills and knowledge forward to positively impact athletes for years to come.”
 
The Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games take place July 21-24 with over 3200 athletes, coaches, and officials from across BC competing in 18 different sports.
 
2016 BC Summer Games Mentor/Apprentice Coach Pairs  
Softball – Girls Mentor: Brian Joe (Burnaby)
Apprentice: Hayley Van Poele (Burnaby)
 
Swimming Mentor: Jennika Efford (Victoria)
Apprentice: Sarah MacDonald (Victoria)
 
Volleyball – Boys Mentor: Jennifer Callow (Lake Country)
Apprentice: Ethan Callow (Lake Country)
 
Mentor: Duncan Harrison (Chilliwack)
Apprentice: Kayla Gimard (Chilliwack)
 
Volleyball – Girls Mentor: Stephen Epp (Nanaimo)
Apprentice: Chantal Cumming (Nanaimo)
 
Mentor: Bob Smith (Surrey)
Apprentice: Alycia Palmer (Surrey)
 
Wrestling Mentor: Jim Mitchell (Abbotsford)
Apprentice: Ashely Topnik (Abbotsford)
 

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About viaSport British Columbia: viaSport British Columbia is a not-for-profit organization created by the Provincial Government in 2011 as a legacy of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Our mandate is to increase awareness, opportunity and participation in sport across the province – at every stage of life and in every community. By leading the province’s sport sector in building a stronger, more effective system, we will bring more families to the field of play, more fans into the stands, more athletes to the podium, and more sports events to the province. Learn more at viasport.ca

About BC Games Society: The BC Games Society is the leadership organization that guides the BC Winter and BC Summer Games and prepares Team BC for national multi-sport Games.  Since 1978, the BC Games have taken place in 38 communities and brought together thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators in celebration of sport and community excellence.  It is a milestone event that people count as an exceptional experience where memories, friendships, spirit, and pride are abundant.  Learn more at www.bcgames.org

Media Contacts: Michelle Tice
Director, Communications & Engagement
viaSport
778.655.1774
michellet@viasport.ca