Young coaches get opportunity
Vance, Empringham selected as Aboriginal apprentice coaches by Coaching Association of Canada
HALIFAX — Two young Nova Scotia coaches are about to get an amazing Canada Games opportunity.
Shaniya Vance of Sydney and Aiyanna Empringham of Sackville are among the successful candidates of the Coaching Association of Canada's Canada Games Aboriginal Apprentice Coaches Program that was announced last week.
Vance, a former volleyball player for St. Thomas University in Fredericton, N.B., and Empringham, a basketball player at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, will attend the 2021 Canada Summer Games in the Niagara, Ont., region as fully accredited members of Team Nova Scotia in their respective sports.
“I think it's an amazing opportunity to get up there with the highest coaches in our province and learn as much as I can,” said the 24-year-old Vance, who coaches the Sydney Academy high school girls team and an under-16, tier 1 club team in Cape Breton. “It's something I'm passionate about, just being able to coach at a high level and have these connections going forward is going to be positive for my future.”
For Empringham, this will be her second trip to Canada Games. The 19-year-old was a member of Nova Scotia's women's basketball team at the 2017 Canada Games in Winnipeg.
The experience in 2017 made quite an impression on Empringham.
“After being there I knew I wanted to go back as a coach, I just didn't think it would be this quick,” she said. “It was one of the pivotal points in my playing career, it helped me believe I could go somewhere in the sport and actually play at university. One of the coolest things I got to do, it was like a mini-Olympics. Just like the whole atmosphere. Everyone was competitive, but at the same time it was great meeting a bunch of new people.”
Both young coaches said the opportunity they have been granted wouldn't have been possible without the positive influences they experienced in their formative playing years.
“I've had some strong female role models who were my coaches in the past, whether it was volleyball, basketball or soccer,” said Vance, naming Christy Richardson, Alex (Morrison) Kehoe, Rhonda Sampson and Erin MacPhee as a few of her mentors. “Just seeing the impact they had on me, made me really want to give back to people who have the same passion for sport that were in my community.”
Empringham credits Chad Lucas, Scott Zinck and Tasia McKenna for providing a positive learning environment and paving a path to her involvement in coaching. Her first coaching opportunity came as a 16-year-old when Lucas offered her an opportunity to help him with his Sackville Storm under-10 boys team.
“My brother played on that team and that is what started it for me,” said Empringham. “I just love being able to share my experiences and the things that I've learned from playing on provincial teams. Helping kids get to where they want to go because I was there at one point.”
Vance, who is of Mi'kmaq descent, said one of her future goals is to help bring sport into communities across Cape Breton.
“My home community is Potlotek, an hour outside of Sydney. I grew up in Sydney my whole life so I have never lived on the reserve. Growing up in Sydney has given me the opportunities that I have had in sport.
“One thing I am really hoping is to go back into my home community and the Aboriginal communities around Cape Breton specifically and give back. Seeing my family members, their willingness and desire to get involved in sport and the lack of opportunities that are offered in their community. I want to help drive that passion that I had and help them with opportunities to excel in sports and have the opportunities that I had.”
Empringham is entering her third year at Saint Mary's and pursuing a bachelor of arts, majoring in psychology. She's considering doing a double major in women's gender studies and a minor in Indigenous studies.
She has a thirst for knowledge and as a young teenager began to explore her roots.
“I didn't really know a lot about my heritage until I was 13 years old and that's when I really started to look into it,” said Emprinham. “I am Metis, part of the Nova Scotia Wampanoag Council. I only knew what we learned in school and that wasn't very much and not really the full picture. I wanted to learn from both sides and really get involved in everything.
“I also don't look like a stereotypical Indigenous person. My band's typical trait is curly hair and lighter complexion and that's what I am. I'm actually a picture-perfect person from my band.”
The willingness to learn and expand their knowledge base is a trait shared by both Vance and Empringham.
This quality will serve them well when they join their respective coaching staffs.
Vance, who graduated from Cape Breton University with a degree in sport, physical activity and leadership, says she hasn't met volleyball head coach Jonathan MacDonald but is excited about the learning experience.
Ironically, Empringham, who works as operations co-ordinator for Basketball Nova Scotia, is the first named member of the basketball coaching staff. She is awaiting the announcement of the provincial women's head coach, likely in the fall. Whenever the coach is named, Empringham is ready to soak up information.
“Every time I coach with someone I really try and learn their leadership style, I think that's the psychology major in me. I really enjoy looking at how different coaches approach certain situations. Every coach will have a different focus point and different things that I can use to work on the athletes' allaround game.”
“One thing I am really hoping is to go back into my home community and the Aboriginal communities around Cape Breton specifically and give back.” Shaniya Vance