Pacific Sport has a new leader
Not quite a year old, the Pacific Sport program in Merritt has already accomplished a lot locally in terms of raising the profile of area sports and motivating the youth of the Nicola Valley to become more active and lead healthier lives.
Now Pacific Sport Merritt has a new head honcho. Taking over from J.P. Brabant as the face of Pacific Sport is Colleen Mullin.
The new Sport Development Co-ordinator moved to the Nicola Valley from Fort St. James in February along with her husband Shaun (a forester) and their two young boys aged four and seven. Mullin has plenty of experience when it comes to active living and being an enabler.
“I’ve been involved in soccer as both a coach and a referee, and with cross-country skiing,” she says. “I’ve also worked with a number of non-profit societies in bringing services to a community, and making different programs accessible to both youth and adults.”
In her first few weeks on the job, Mullin has been busy solidifying the very successful XploreSportz Camps that are being offered by Pacific Sport this summer, fall and winter. These day- and week-long camps expose participants to a wide variety of sports and recreation offerings that exist in and around Merritt.
“I’m trying to promote programs that are being offered in the community throughout the year, and provide an introduction to them,” explains Mullin. “At the same time, the coaches and instructors are being given an opportunity to showcase their sport. The emphasis is really on fun.”
The next Xplore-Sportz Camp is scheduled for August 20-24. The sports that will be offered at this camp will be kung fu, lacrosse, wrestling, tennis, gymnastics and zumba.
“We already have quite a few kids signed up,” states Mullin, “but there is room for more. Anyone interested can simply go to the Civic Centre or Aquatic Centre during normal business hours to get more information or to register.”
Other XploreSportz Camps are scheduled for the Friday, October 19 Pro-D Day, for the Christmas Break (Dec. 27, 28 and Jan. 2-4), on the Friday, February 15 Pro-D Day and at Spring Break (March 18-22).
“Another initiative that we’re really big on is coaching and coaching development,” adds Mullin. “We’re going to be offering a free coaching certification program on the weekend of September 22-23 during B.C. Coaches Week (September 15-23).
“The NCCP Introduction to Competi-tion course, which used to be known as Level 1, consists of two parts – commonly called Comp A and Comp B. There are six modules to the course that focus on the training of coaches who are working with athletes competing in any sport.
“We’ll be offering the Comp B on the weekend of September 22-23 as will Salmon Arm and Ashcroft. Kamloops, Barriere and Revelstoke are offering Comp A the weekend before. You don’t have to take Comp A before you take Comp B or vice versa.
“I recommend the course for any coach in any sport, and any parents who are helping out in a sport that their son or daughter is involved in. The course would also be excellent for any high school students that are involved in leadership, as well as lifeguards and swimming instructors. Anybody and everybody could take it. Best of all, it’s free.”
Anyone interested in the NCCP coaching course in September can register by contacting Jennifer Joyce at 250-828-3583 or jjoyce@pacificsport.com.
“We’re also having a Coaches’ Social at the Civic Centre on the Thursday night of B.C. Coaches Week,” states Mullin. “It’ll be an opportunity for all the coaches in Merritt – whatever the sport – to come together and just kind of ‘hang out’ and talk. Are there program conflicts? Are there time conflicts? Are there facility or equipment shortages? Is there a need for more certification courses? I want to get a dialogue going and find out what the coaches need, and what they would like to see a focus on.”
Mullin plans to have a guest speaker as well at the Coaches Social.
For more information on any of the above activities, you can contact Mullin at 250-315-1075.
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