After two outstanding seasons with the George Brown Huskies Women's Basketball team, Zae Sellers is turning her focus to coaching. She was one of 20 apprentices selected for the CCAA's 2020-21 Female Apprentice Coaching Program.
The Female Apprentice Coaching Program is entering its 16th season. It aims to develop the apprentices' coaching skill sets and enhance their confidence, while also providing the mentors with an opportunity to hone their leadership skills. Sellers is one of three OCAA apprentices selected for the program. She will be mentored by Huskies Women's Basketball Consultant Warren Williams.
Williams has over 30 years of experience as a coach, which includes four seasons as the head coach of the Huskies Women's Basketball team (2016-2020). He is also a graduate of the Advanced Coaching Diploma program and a National Coaching Certification Program Facilitator and Coach Evaluator. The long-time coach believes Sellers is a perfect fit for the program.
"Zae is a terrific candidate for this program. Not only has she been an excellent performer on the court, as evidenced by her league all-star awards, but also superb in the classroom with back to back All-Canadian Academic Awards," Williams explained. "She has been an excellent leader and example on and off the court for a program that has gone 27-6 over her two seasons and established itself as a league power."
Melanie Gerin-Lajoie, Manager of Athletics and Recreation, also thinks Sellers contains the necessary attributes to be a coach.
"She has tremendous leadership ability, which was demonstrated day in and day out in her time in a Huskies jersey wearing the "C"," Gerin-Lajoie said. "She was a tireless leader for our program, and we are very thankful that she chose to cross the border to us from Minnesota to complete her advanced diploma in Civil Engineering."
In her final collegiate season, Sellers was one of the most dominating players in the province and helped the team finish second in the East Division with a 13-3 record. The veteran guard posted career-highs with 19.3 points and 4.7 assists, both of which ranked in the top four in the OCAA. She was recognized for this effort by being named an OCAA East Division first-team All-Star. The former point guard is ready to take on the responsibilities of being a coach.
"I hope to use the connection that I have with the current athletes and form a bond that will encourage open communication and trust with the coaching staff. I also plan to use my physical abilities as well to challenge the girls on the court and to push them to compete," commented Sellers on what her main areas of focus would be as new assistant with the program.
She joins a women's basketball coaching staff led by Interim Head Coach Omari Wiltshire this upcoming 2020-21 season; a season where the Huskies will look to continue their strong perennial play which has earned them a combined regular season record of 42-8 since 2017-18.
For more information on George Brown Women's Basketball contact Athletics and Recreation Coordinator Mark Couch at mark.couch@georgebrown.ca.