BC’s female hockey team's coaching staff includes JJ Holmes (Merritt), who is at the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games as part of the Aboriginal Sport Circle’s Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program.
“I feel like a 15-year-old kid at these Games,” says Holmes, who is one of 11 coaches from across the country participating in the program at the Games. “I’m a student.”
He has coached his two boys and other young players in his community. But, being involved at a national multisport games is an intense year-long on-the-job training program. It all started for him last summer with a BC Hockey training camp. Since then, it has been almost non-stop learning.
“I’m taking it all in. It has been a really good experience,” he says. “I’ve been able to put all kinds of tools into my toolbox to implement them in this tournament and into the future in my hometown, my organization and my Indigenous community.”
Sport has always been a part of Holmes’ family. As a youngster, he and his four brothers played hockey and baseball. But eventually he jumped into the logging industry to provide for his family.
As a member of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation, Holmes says it’s important to promote sport participation to Indigenous youth. “I didn’t have a whole lot of role models growing up,” he says. “I think that’s a big thing for young Indigenous youth to have mentorship and support. As Indigenous people, it’s challenging to step out of our box and get those doors open.”
After the Games, Holmes will work on completing half a dozen courses to finish his program requirements and achieve his certification.
As for being known as an Indigenous sport leader, Holmes doesn’t mind the attention.
“It’s really important to put it out there and be a role model for somebody else coming through the ranks trying to navigate the system.”
His goals are to coach at a high level and try to get more youth involved in minor hockey in the Merritt and Nicola Valley region.
Tune into the livestream as Holmes and the BC team face off against Quebec on Saturday at 3:30 PT with a spot in the gold medal game on the line.
More about JJ Holmes: At the age of 13, JJ started his hockey career with Merritt Minor Hockey. He went on to play in the National Aboriginal Championships in Cornwall, Ontario, followed by two years for the Princeton Posse Junior B hockey team.
- Filed by Sam Corea (@sammy_sez), Team BC Communications Staff
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