Coaches Week – Jackie Zicaro

During National Coaches Week OBA is going to highlight some of the dedicated coaches who have worked in multiple programs with OBA and continue to stay connected to the basketball community.

 

Coach Jackie Zicaro

Current Coaching Position

Head Coach of YNBA Avengers U14 and U12 Girls – rep

Senior Girls Basketball Coach at Dr. Denison SS (not currently b/c of COVID)

Creator and Facilitator of Girls Got Game Basketball Program with the YNBA

 

Number of Years Coaching & Where

Coaching – 20 years at high school level (Midget/Junior/Senior) mostly at Dr. Denison SS, 10 years coaching Skill Development Programs (Learn to Play (ages 4-12) and Girls Got Game (ages 8-14)), 5 years coaching at rep level with YNBA (1 year at OSDP) – all of this is in the Newmarket/Aurora area

LF/CE – 10 years at the L2T and T2T level throughout southern Ontario (got to do one weekend with Wheel Chair Basketball Canada – which was awesome!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is Your Coach Mentor or Someone you Look Up To and Why?

Too many to name!  My mentors for coaching were my father, John Shaw and my high school coach, Chris Dooley.  They were both very dedicated to coaching, and very knowledgeable, but most importantly they believed in teaching first and coaching second.  They taught basketball the right way, and used the game to teach players life skills and life lessons.  It made me realize the impact a coach can have on their players, and the ability to empower them.  Basketball can be a great way to build confidence while developing players.

 

What Motivates You to Keep Coaching?

I am motivated by the enjoyment I see from the players that I work with, whether they are eight or eighteen.  When they are excited for practice, and get an opportunity to play with their friends.  I am motivated by how proud they are when they finally accomplish a skill that they have been working on and are eager to learn more.  I feel it is my job to continually find ways to help these athletes improve, no matter what level they are at, and build confidence at the same time.

 

What advice do you have for young coaches/ players who want to get to the “next level?”

For coaches – Mistakes are essential for learning and developing.  Coaches need to provide a positive environment where players feel confident to make mistakes but keep working to improve.  When the players are confident and are having fun, they will work harder and improve more.  Teach decision-making and skill development, it may mean losing games in the beginning but you are developing better players in the long run.

 

#thankscoach