St. Clair College and the Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce that it will be taking part in the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program (FCAP) for the upcoming season.

Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Jimmy El-Turk will be mentoring apprentice coach Taylor Fitzgerald throughout the 2018-19 season. Taylor is a former member of the volleyball program who graduated this past season.

Taylor is excited to begin her coaching career as a part of this program. "It is an absolute honour to be accepted into the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program and I can't wait to get started on developing as a coach. I am so excited to take on this new challenge and step into a different role in the sport of volleyball. The program at St. Clair has given me so much and I can't wait to start giving back."

Coach El-Turk is looking forward to being involved with the FCAP. "I am very excited to be involved with an amazing educational program that is the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program. So many coaches have dedicated hours into shaping me as a young coach and I am eager to pay that forward. Taylor grew into an excellent leader and has a lot to offer to the game of volleyball, specifically our St. Clair women's team. I'm looking forward to sharing the knowledge that I have with her as well as learning from Taylor on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis as she transitions from the role of player to coach."

Twelve apprentices in five different sports across all five CCAA member conferences will be mentored by coaches across the country during the 2018-19 season. They will be monitored throughout the year via progress reports. The women’s volleyball program will receive additional financial assistance through the program to aid in Taylor’s development and progress.

"The CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Programs is building capacity and is beneficial to all involved," said Sandra Murray-MacDonell, CCAA Chief Executive Officer.

CCAA apprentices develop the skill set to coach as they become increasingly confident and competent, while mentor coaches are enhancing their leadership skills and advancing career development, according to Murray-MacDonell. "Meanwhile the institution is developing future coaches for hire as is evidenced by the numerous CCAA coaches from the program feeding other levels of sport in the country," she said.

For the complete CCAA Press Release click HERE