Coaches Corner
We are COACHES because of the kids and the passion we have for the sport itself! There is no other feeling quite like helping young athletes further develop their natural persistence, determination, discipline, dedication, resiliency, work ethic, heart, leadership skills, connection with and respect for others, not only in competition but in life!
DYK?
A COACH will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime!...
Please respect us, thank us and remember we are volunteers - Prescott Russell Basketball Club
PRBC Coaches for 2020-21
JR - ROCKETS
Name: T.B.C.
Position: Jr. ROCKETS Coach
Age Group:6/7
HOUSE LEAGUE
Name: Devon Blackburn
Position: House League Coach & Director of House League
Age Group: 8/9
Summary: From Russell.
Coaching Goals:
Name: Jean Francois (JF) Gratton
Position: House League Coach
Age Group: 8/9
Summary: From Crysler. I started my relationship with PRBC as a Coach of the girls program in Spring League, which prepared most of these girls for the competitive league today. I coached Jr. Rockets for two years and moved up to House League with my son. A player myself, I keep active by playing in PRBC's Adult League.
Coaching Goals:
Name: Etienne T.
Position: House League Coach and VP/Director, Adult League
Age Group: 8/9
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train)
Summary: From Embrun. My love for basketball started in high school and has only grown exponentially since. Coaching off and on for the last 25 years, I first got involved with the PRBC as a coach with the Jr. Rockets program when my daughter was 6 years old, teaching basic skills development for the last five years as my son also went through the program, following in his sister’s footsteps. I have been Assistant Coach for the U12 girls for the last two years, winning Gold in the EOBA Championships in 2019-20. In 2018, the itch to start playing again grew so strong that I launched the club's recreational adult program, which evolved last year into a bona fide co-ed league of its own. Over this coming year, I will move to coach House League and my son, who is now 8, in addition to sitting on the Board of Directors as VP/Director of Adult League.
Coaching Goals:
Create a solid foundation, strengthen individual skills and introduce basic team concepts so that players can develop through play while falling in love with the game.
Name: Rene Champagne
Position: House League Coach
Age Group: 9/10
Certification Level:
Summary:
Name: Tara Charron
Position: House League Coach
Age Group: 9/10
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train)
Summary:
Name: T.B.D.
Position: House League Coach
Age Group: 12+
Certification Level:
Summary:
COMPETITIVE LEAGUE
Name: T.B.D.
Position: Head Coach
Age Group: Atom (U12) Girls
Certification Level:
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: T.B.D.
Position: Assistant Coach
Age Group: Atom (U12) Girls
Certification Level:
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: T.B.D.
Position: Head Coach
Age Group: Atom (U12) Boys
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train) In Progress
Summary: From Russell.
Coaching Goals:
Name: T.B.D.
Position: Assistant Coach
Age Group: Atom (U12) Boys
Certification Level:
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: Murray Shoup
Position: Head Coach
Age Group: Bantam (U14) Girls
Certification Level: Level 2 (Train to Train)
Summary: From Russell.
Coaching Goals:
Name: Devon Blackburn
Position: Assistant Coach
Age Group: Bantam (U14) Girls
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: Kim MacKinnon
Position: Head Coach
Age Group: Bantam (U14) Boys
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train)
Summary: From Russell. I have been coaching since 2002 when I started my teaching career. With a first season championship, I fell in love with how coaching added to my career. I also wanted to give back to the sport. Personally, I had a successful high school & competitive playing careers with amazing coaches - it was time to come full circle and start coaching. I continue to coach intermediate and high school teams. I joined the Rockets as head coach of the u19 boys when my high school team asked if I would coach them outside of school as well back in 2017. I also organize and run the Rockets Spring League. I coached u12 in 2019-2020 and will move up with my son to u14 for the 2020-2021 season.
Coaching Goals: I believe in hard work and team play. The moto I live by is "WE NOT ME". We win & lose as a team, we need to work as a team if we want to be successful. I want my teams to be a challenge to score against because of our outstanding team defence. My goals for this coming season is to help my players improve, build on their individual skills & their team play and overall knowledge of the game. I also tell my teams that I want to be that team that everyone loves to play against because we compete and give them a challenge but we do so with amazing sportsmanship and pride!
Name: Brad Power
Position: Assistant Coach
Age Group: Bantam (U14) Boys
Certification Level:
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: Darren Ouderkirk
Position: Coach
Age Group: Bantam (U14) Boys
Certification Level:
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: Cory Warner
Position: Head Coach
Age Group: Midget (U16) Girls
Certification Level: Level 2 (Train to Train) & MED
Summary: From Russell. In 2002 I hesitantly agreed to help coach a Rockets major atom (U12) girls team and was instantly hooked. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have coached girls teams at all age levels, both as an assistant and head coach. Have also coached girls and boys at the high school level for the past 12 years. Have been involved with basketball in some aspect for almost 40 years and am a HUGE Raptors fan!!
Coaching Goals: The goals each year vary depending on the age and skill levels, but having fun and developing team chemistry would generally be our top priorities. Focusing on these goals allows us to better teach the fundamentals and develop basketball IQ and positively influences how hard we work and compete.
Name: Jessica Hearn
Position: Assistant Coach
Age group: Midget (U16) Girls
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train) in progress
Summary: From Russell. I have been playing basketball for 12 years. My journey with the Rockets began as a player where I played in the competitive league and found my love for the sport. I have been assistant coach with the Club for the past 2 years and I am looking forward to many more years to come.
Coaching Goals: My coaching style is very focused on the aspects of team and mindset. I believe that feeling and being part of a team is one of the most essential parts of basketball because the stronger the bond is between teammates, the easier it is to work as a unit on the court. I also believe that being in the correct mind set makes all the difference while on the court - basketball is just as much of a mental game as it is physical. Each season I try to encourage players to find their own confidence in their abilities, to work as a unit and to learn what it means to be part of a team. It is my goal for my athletes to leave each season with more knowledge, strength, skill, confidence and friendship.
Name: Dave Hatherall
Position: Assistant Coach
Age Group: Midget (U16) Girls
Certification Level: Level 2 (Train to Train)
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: Edwin Amaya Garcia
Position: Head Coach
Age Group: Midget (U16) Boys
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train)
Summary: From Embrun. Came to Rockets to coach U12 boys before coaching my sons at U14. I also organize and run Spring League and do summer training when COVID-19 is not around. Will be moving up to coach U16 this coming season.
Coaching Goals:
Name: T.B.D.
Position: Assistant Coach
Age Group: Midget (U16) Boys
Certification Level:
Summary:
Coaching Goals:
Name: Vern Anderson
Position: Head Coach
Age group: Junior (U19) Boys
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train)
Summary: From Vars. Came to the Rockets when my son was competing in the Atom (U12) as Assistant Coach. I took on the role of Head Coach for the last five (5) years with U14 and U16. Was instrumental in starting the Spring League program and the Summer Teams. Both of which provide great promotion and exposure of the Club. Will head up Junior (U19) Boys in 2020-21.
Coaching Goals:
Name: Julie Kinsella
Position: Assistant Coach
Age group: Junior (U19) Boys
Certification Level: Level 1 (Learn to Train)
Summary: From Embrun. Started coaching the first ever Rockets U12 Boys Team six (6) years ago and have continued coaching the boys from U12 to U19 as either Head Coach or Assistant Coach. Was part of the amalgamation and transition of two local Clubs to form the Prescott Russell Basketball Club where I continue to sit on the Board of Directors as Director of the Competitive League and representing all our Coaches.
Coaching Goals: "I value the fundamentals of the game, the team concept and the willingness to work hard to improve. My goal is to help the players develop higher basketball IQ and empower them to make better decisions on the court."