(FREDERICTON, NB) Cameron Rogers was sidelined with an injury when the coaching bug bit.
She was in her third season as a member of the REDS women’s volleyball team and spending that season rehabbing an injury.
“One of our assistant coaches at the time, Kim Colpitts, asked me to assist with her U16 club team for the year,” said Rogers. “Our head coach at the time, Christine Biggs, was very supportive of it, even though it took some of my time away from the UNB team she felt it was a good opportunity for me to develop while I couldn’t be on court.”
Rogers played the same role with the club team the following season.
Last season, she rejoined the REDS’ interim staff as an assistant, a role she’s taking on again this coming Atlantic University Sport season with a little more purpose.
Rogers has been selected to participate in U SPORTS 2024-25 Female Apprentice Coach Program.
With funding from Sport Canada, it aims to increase the number of women in coaching positions across Canadian universities.
“I’m very excited,” said Rogers. “We need more females in coaching at all levels, including U SPORTS. I’m inspired that U SPORTS has a program to help increase the number of female coaches and support them in their journey, and that UNB was participating. I’m lucky to have the opportunity.”
The program matches apprentice coaches who’ve recently graduated with a head coach in one of U SPORTS’ 12 sanctioned sport offerings for female-identifying student-athletes.
18 women will participate in the program in 2024-25 in nine sports. They come from all four of U SPORTS conferences.
Rogers will work closely with REDS’ head coach Lauren Hale-Miller, who will serve as a mentor and guide Rogers through the season. Rogers will also have professional development opportunities throughout the season.
“Having been both a mentee and mentor in other female coach apprentice programs, I truly believe in the values they offer in developing strong female leaders,” said Hale-Miller. “The road to becoming a coach is challenging, and women face many barriers, making it crucial for us to support each other in the coaching world. We need to break down the barriers and create a more inclusive and empowering environment for future female coaches.”
Along with her work with the REDS, Rogers has coached with Fredericton’s Reds Volleyball Club and is a long-time women’s softball coach. She’ll serve as an assistant with the New Brunswick team headed to the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
“This season, I’ll be focusing on UNB,” she said. “I’ll be able to devote more time towards supporting the team and I think being a part of the apprenticeship program will give me more confidence to voice more of my thoughts and suggestions.”
“I’m very fortunate to have Cam on our coaching staff this season,” said Coach Hale-Miller, who joined the REDS earlier this year. “The history and the knowledge that she has about our program and our student-athletes will be extremely beneficial in our pursuit of excellence.”
“Cam’s willingness to learn and grow as a coach is one of her strengths,” added Hale-Miller. “This opportunity is about adding to her coaching toolbox and getting her to a place where she is comfortable and confident.”
Rogers is the second UNB coach to be accepted into the national apprentice program.
Colleen Daly participated in the program with the REDS’ women’s basketball team during the 2022-2023 season.
Like Daly, Rogers aspires to, someday, coach at a high level.
“Being a head coach of a U SPORTS program would be incredible, but most importantly, I want to continue to learn as a coach and help athletes develop and reach their potential, on and off the court.”
“By the end of the season, I want to make sure she has the skills and confidence to coach at a high level,” said Hale-Miller.
“I’m looking forward to being involved in building team systems and strategies in preparation for the season and each game,” said Rogers. “My experience in coaching the tactical portion of the game is what I’m hoping to develop most, as that’s the biggest change between coaching at the club level compared to the U SPORTS level.”
The REDS, with Rogers on staff, open their 2024-25 AUS regular season at Dalhousie on October 25th.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO BY: UNB Media Services
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