August 30, 2021...WELLAND - Niagara College Knights men's basketball alumni, Lequan Hylton, has been selected to participate in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Mentorship Program. The OCAA, in partnership with the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), will work with 10 apprentice coaches over the next two years to give them an excellent foundation into the coaching world.
Designed for new OCAA graduates, the program admitted new coaches from various sports and from around Ontario.
"CAO is excited to launch this mentorship program for OCAA coaches and athletes pursuing the next phase of their sporting journey," said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director of CAO. "This multi-year development program will lean on a proven mentorship model to guide coach growth. Mentor and apprentice coaches will work within the college sport system to progress their technical leadership."
Men's head coach, Phil Mosley, will serve in the role of mentor for the next two years.
"This is an amazing opportunity for Lequan to make a successful transition from player to coach in the OCAA," says Mosley, who coached Hylton at Niagara from 2015-2020. "I am excited to work with him as his mentor coach and the support offered by the Coaches Association of Ontario will be an invaluable resource."
Niagara College has taken initiative in the last couple of years to support the technical sport leadership development in Niagara by hosting a number of NCCP clinics and Women's Coach School. Nominating Lequan to participate in this program was a great extension of the plan.
"I am thrilled to be accepted for this mentorship program," says Hylton. "I am eager to learn, grow and compete as a coach in the OCAA. Having the opportunity to learn from Coach Phil and have the support of Michele O'Keefe, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to maximize my knowledge and coaching abilities."
The OCAA recently announced the approval of winter sport formats for the upcoming 2021-22 varsity season, which will see the Knights compete in the newly developed South division that will include Canadore College, Conestoga College, Humber College and Sheridan College. Schedules have not yet been announced.
