Participating in the U Sports Female Apprentice Coach Program has been an incredible experience, says Cait Stiles. She has been serving under Lancer women’s hockey head coach Deanna Iwanicka, developing her leadership skills and expertise.

“Deanna (and the team) welcomed me with open arms and I felt part of the Lancer family from day one,” Stiles says. “She has been a great mentor to me and continues to give me countless opportunities to grow and develop as a coach.”

In turn, Iwanicka says that her team has benefited from the apprenticeship program.

“It has allowed Cait to be more involved with the team and develop as a coach,” she says. “While Cait develops, so do the student-athletes working with her, and together these are the future coaches of our game.”

The program aims to increase the number of females in coaching positions across Canadian universities by matching apprentice coaches with a head coach in sanctioned sport offerings for female-identifying student-athletes.

Stiles recommends the experience t others.

“Unfortunately, as women, there are still unprecedented challenges that we face when it comes to sport,” she says. “With the help of organizations and programs such as this, we are able to break down some of those barriers.”

Read a full profile by Andrew Papadopoulos, entitled “A Coach in the Making,” on goLancers.ca.