BASKETBALL BENCH DUTY
Duinker steps in for Lancers
Emma Duinker is ready to step out from the enormous coaching shadow cast by Chantal Vallee and into the spotlight with the University of Windsor Lancers women’s basketball program. The 29-year-old Duinker, who joined the Lancers as an assistant coach in 2016, was named interim head coach of the Lancers on Wednesday after Vallee was granted a study leave and leave of absence for the 2018-19 season.
“They’re big shoes to fill,” Duinker said of taking over for Vallee. “I feel privileged to take over.”
In her 13 seasons with the Lancers, Vallee guided the team to five straight national titles and was twice named national university coach of the year. She has contemplated taking a sabbatical for years. Not that she was in need of a break, but because it was a chance to grow. “I’ve been wanting to write a book for a long time, but there was no time,” said Vallee, who will turn things over to Duinker on Sept. 1. “If I’m going to do it, it’s now.”
Vallee will spend three months at McGill University, where she served as an assistant coach for two seasons, working with Dr. Gordon Bloom on a book on coaching and leadership success. She will also travel to Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and across North America to observe professional teams.
“I was nervous to make the decision, but once I took the leap, it felt like the right decision,” Vallee said.
The club has undergone a rebuild the past three years and Vallee said that’s another reason why the time is right to take a break.
“We’ve been trying to rebuild the team and keep the culture of excellence,” Vallee said. “We’ve got a solid nucleus to move forward with the proper culture and I think we’re at that point.” And Vallee believes Duinker will be the perfect fit. She was a member of the AUS champion Acadia Axewomen that lost to the Lancers in the quarter-finals of the CIS women’s basketball championship in 2012 as Windsor went on to secure its secondstraight Bronze Baby Trophy. After three seasons of playing professionally in Germany, Duinker returned to Canada and headed to Windsor to do her master’s in sports management, and contacted Vallee about coaching with the Lancers. “She’s a terrific leader,” Vallee said of Duinker. “She’s positive, a go-getter, resourceful and gets the job done. I’m impressed to have her work for me and develop the last two years. She played elsewhere and professionally and will bring other things that I think will be healthy and positive to the job.”
With assistant coaches Tom Foster and Madeline Belding staying on, Vallee is confident the program will be fine.
“It’s in good hands,” Vallee said. Aside from her time with the Lancers, Duinker coached while playing professionally in Germany and has worked for the past seven years with the PGC (Point Guard College) Basketball program.
“I’ve had a lot of coaching experience in different avenues and I’m glad to see it come to fruition,” Duinker said.
“I feel confident with the preparation working with Chantal over two years.
“Of course, I’m also a bit nervous. She’s more than a little accomplished.”
For Duinker, the focus is to try to keep the building process moving forward with the squad this season.
“We have pretty clear guidelines as to the type of basketball that we play,” Duinker said. “I understand it and that will align with what we want from our players.
“I want to help young people develop. My hope is for us to be successful on the court. We want to see the girls grow together and build a stronger connection.”
I want to help young people develop. My hope is for us to be successful on the court. We want to see the girls grow together and build a stronger connection.