Apprentice Coach Hitting All The Bases

At 23 years of age, Melissa MacKinnon already knows what it takes to succeed in a highly competitive world.

It was only four years ago she was knocking the competition right out of the ball park, as co-captain of Nova Scotia's 2001 Canada Games softball team.

Now the Trenton, Pictou Co., native is helping teach Nova Scotia's 17- to 19-year-old softball players just what to expect when they compete against the nation's best at the 2005 Canada Games in Regina, Sask.

"It wasn't so long ago that I was in their position," she says. "I know how much hard work is involved in competing at the elite level -- and I know what a great experience is was."

Melissa also knows that this kind of competition can lead to bigger and better things -- like becoming one of a handful of Canadian women selected to participate in the Women in Coaching Apprenticeship Program sponsored by the Coaching Association of Canada and Nova Scotia Health Promotion.

"Most coaches work a lifetime to be able to coach at a Canada Games and here I'm getting this great opportunity to do it so soon, to meet all these people and learn from them," says Melissa, who was nominated for the position by Softball Nova Scotia after applying nearly two years ago.

The honour does not come without obligations. Melissa has been in the gym at least a couple of times a week for the last several months, working first with about 150 team hopefuls, helping the more senior coaches choose the province's best. Now that the team has been selected, training is ramping up -- and so are the hours she is putting in at the softball diamond.

But Melissa has also been spending a fair bit of time hitting the books. The apprentice coaching program requires her to complete Level 3 in the National Coaching Certification Program within a year of the 2005 Games. That means about 28 hours of theory, covering everything from sport specific skills to how to help young women with their nutritional demands and personal image, plus 16 to 30 hours of practical coaching.

Squeezing in the extra studying and workshop time can be a challenge for the Halifax resident who also holds down a demanding full-time job as a communications officer with the provincial Department of Health. "It was tough, for example, when the legislature was in session, with the added evening hours, but everyone on the job is very supportive. And this gives me balance."

The apprenticeship program also provided workshop funding and the support of a coaching mentor -- in Melissa's case Canada Games softball coach Terry Hayes -- here in Nova Scotia.

Terry says Melissa is perfect for the position. "She was always such a leader on the field," he says of his former player and now colleague. "She was a natural. And she's never batted an eye at the work involved."

Indeed, Melissa has done such a great job that Terry gave her the role he had in the 2001 Games -- defensive coach.

Melissa knows she is lucky to have that kind of support -- especially because there simply aren't many women with Level 3 certification in this province.

"I hear things like 'you're the future'," she says. "It's an honour; it's a lot of pressure, too."

But Melissa is as sure of the three-year commitment she made to this apprenticeship as she is of the team of young softball stars she is coaching. "I'm positive we've chosen a great team, and they're going to have so much fun and learn so much."

Melissa knows what she's talking about -- and that's surely the sign of a good coach.

Melissa is one of 45 coaches, 23 managers, two boatmen and 18 mission staff attending the 2005 Canada Games from Aug. 3 to 20. Team Nova Scotia has 330 athletes competing in 16 sports. Four young artists will participate in the National Artists Program, bringing the team's total to 422 Nova Scotians. For more on the teams see the website at http://ns.canadagames.ca/summer2005 .

For more on the Women in Coaching Apprenticeship Program see the website at www.coach.ca/WOMEN/e/ .

And for details on the National Coaching Certification Program see the website at www.coach.ca/e/index.htm .