Westerman a great example for female coaches in city

By None on November 7, 2018.

Cassandra Westerman, know as Mrs. Westerman in the classroom, has coached soccer for more than 10 years. She has coached several different teams in the local RASC program and has coached the Medicine Hat College women’s soccer team.

I believe she is the only female coach in Medicine Hat to have her C license coach certification and a trained B license Part 1 coach certification. The Medicine Hat soccer community is very lucky to have her knowledge and expertise.

She is currently the only Hatter taking the Women in Sport Leadership Coach Developer Program through the Alberta Soccer Association, which is a two-year program. The ASA, in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada, established the Women in Sport Leadership — Coach Developer Program in 2017. The program seeks to attract female coaches who want to pursue leadership roles within their club, district or the province as a learning facilitator, coach evaluator and/or mentor.

Cassie’s inspiration for coaching stemmed from her club coach in Regina. Kevin Holness is currently the technical director for Regina FC. He always pushed her to reach her goals and never let her settle for less than she could achieve. Cassie played for the Medicine Hat Rattlers from 2009-2014, and during that time her coach Jim Loughlin became her coaching role model. She entered the program as a central midfielder and left the program a goalie. His belief in her was inspirational. He was always there for her on and off the field. Being coached by Jim only increased her passion to coach at a post-secondary level, which she did upon graduation. Ironically, her two coaching role models — one from Regina and the other from the Hat played on the same national team. The duo inspired her to fulfill her dream of becoming a coach.

Soccer has always been a part of her life as a player and now as a coach. She loves to teach, and her passion shines through in everything she does. She believes that playing soccer has given her a different outlook on life, and has strengthened her determination and perseverance when difficult situations arise. Her motto in life is to “leave a little sparkle wherever you go.” Even in the hardest and toughest situations, she tries to always leave something positive and that is the message she instills in all the athletes she works with.

She coaches to give back to back the community and to share her love of soccer and physical activity. She loves being around kids and athletes. She believes that the best part about playing and coaching soccer are the relationships and friendships that are formed. Cassie is an inspiration to all female coaches!

FAME (Females in Action Moving and Empowering) is offering a free introduction night for the Female Coach Development Mentorship Program for female coaches ages 16 and up. The two mini sessions that are being offered back to back on Nov. 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. are Sports Nutrition for Coaches with a focus on hydration, and Dynamic Warm Up and Athlete Basic Movement Screening. To register for this free introductory night endorsed by the Alberta Sport Development Centre, please email ksegall@mhc.ab.ca.

Kristina Segall is the coordinator of the Alberta Sport Development Centre- Southeast and also helps with FAME. She can be reached via email at ksegall@mhc.ab.ca and via phone at 403-504-3547.

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