Melissa Hill of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues badminton team has been selected to participate in the women in coaching apprenticeship program at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, February 11-27, in Halifax, N.S. 

The aim of the program is to prepare coaches to work alongside their mentor coaches at the 2011 Canada Winter Games and to provide advanced training opportunities and experiences for future coaching opportunities. Hill was chosen by the Ontario Badminton Association as a candidate for selection for the Coaching Association of Canada. 

“It was a great honour to be selected,” said Hill. “Only two female coaches are chosen from each province to participate, so the competition is tough.” 

A Toronto native, Hill has been named an OUA all-star in each of her 10 seasons of intercollegiate competition. She began coaching with McMaster in 2004, first as an assistant and then as the head coach in 2005.  Hill then joined the Blues in September 2005 and has continued her dual role as a player/coach since.  

“I have had several years of experience as a coach in intercollegiate athletics, but I have not had the opportunity to gain much experience working with athletes in national level competition,” commented Hill. “This program is going to give me the exposure I need to develop my coaching skills further.” 

As a part of the program, Hill attended the Ontario coaches conference in Guelph, Ont. in February 2010, and will also take part in the sport leadership conference, November 18-21, in Ottawa. She will be mentored by Team Ontario’s head coach, Stephane Cadieux, who has many years of experience on the international stage. 

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