Friday, September 27th, 2019

National Coaches Week is an important celebration, to thank all of the dedicated, inspiring and hard-working coaches across Canada. Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) wants to thank all of the wonderful coaching staff we have and thank them for all that they do to motivate and push our student-athletes to be the best versions of themselves. 

In 2016, the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport (CAAWS) shared that only 16% of head coaches across 54 Canadian national teams were female. As a league, the ACAC is proud to share experiences from 10 female coaches on staff across Alberta who hope to inspire the younger generation and encourage them to pursue their dreams — no matter what the numbers say.
 
These coaches bring years of experience, championship banners and loads of passion. We asked about their source of motivation, advice for future coaches, and what it's like to work in a male-dominated industry. We were not disappointed. 

Check out some amazing quotes and stories from the following ACAC coaches:

• Lauren Hale-Miller, GPRC, Volleyball
• Kim Stonehouse, MHC, Volleyball
• Kari Elliott, RDC, Cross Country + Indoor Track
• Anna Schwark, LETH, Volleyball
• Lindsay McAlpine, GMU, Hockey
• Caylee Vogel, LETH, Cross Country + Indoor Track
• Grace Scott, TKU, Volleyball
• Taina Smiley, CUE, Curling
• Donna Dixon, STMU, Cross Country + Indoor Track
• Kira Sutcliffe, KC, Volleyball

What does coaching mean to you?

New to the ACAC, Lauren Hale-Miller joins the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves women's volleyball program as head coach. However, she is not new to coaching. Just last year, Hale-Miller was a nominee for CCAA Coach of the Year. For her, coaching means putting people first. "I believe it is extremely important to get to know your athletes both on and off the court," says Hale-Miller. "When your athletes know you care about their success in life and that you genuinely care about them, they will be successful."

Hale-Miller says that her athletes motivate her every single day. Every gym session and every practice are an opportunity for her to learn something new. "I want to be the best coach that I can for my athletes, so that when they graduate (or move on) from playing, they know they improved and have given everything they have." 
No matter the sport, no matter the coach, it takes a village to create a successful culture and a winning atmosphere. Many thanks and many congratulations to all of our ACAC coaches for doing what they love and doing it well. 

Article courtesy of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). Read the full article here.