Pelham Panthers seeking applications for Juel, Juel Prep head coaches
The Pelham Panthers Basketball Association is on the prowl for applicants to serve as head coach of the group’s Juel and Juel Prep girls basketball teams.
The Panthers have been more than happy with the work of current Juel coach Frank Keltos and present Juel Prep coach Sue Sentance but the association has a policy of posting for the positions every two years.
“We are pleased with their coaching and both of them stepped up during the pandemic. Both Frank and Sue are aware of the postings, they are aware that they can reapply and they also aware that we do it in two-year increments,” Pelham Juel administrator Don Larman said. “It is entirely up to them.”
Sentance had indicated that she won’t reapply for the position but Keltos is expected to reapply.
Larman is sad to see Sentance go.
“That is a tough loss. She has been with the program since I was involved and she took over as the head coach. When the program came to Pelham two years, she continued on.”
Sentance also coached Pelham girls travel teams at the younger level.
Among the qualifications and attributes required for the positions are: commitment to leading a high-performance program within the context of a provincially and nationally recognized basketball program; effective communication, proven organizational, leadership and management skills; experience coaching at all levels and playing post-secondary would be an asset; good leader; role model; positive; encouraging in an educational environment; demonstrated success in high-performance coaching; strong commitment to the academic goals of the student-athlete; promoter and supporter of the PPBA mission; able to conduct skills training at an elite level; strong interpersonal and team-building skills; the ability to establish clear communication with players, parents, and PPBA JUEL administration; and, a NCCP Level 2 coaching level is required or applicant must be working towards it prior to or during the upcoming season.
Those interested should submit a cover letter, resume and two references to niagarajuelbasketball@gmail.com by June 17. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information visit https://www.pelhambasketball.ca.
Larman expects a number of coaches to apply.
“We are anticipating a lot of interest and we are looking for anyone and everyone who is interested in coaching at this level and has something to offer to submit an application,” he said. “We are looking for the best qualified coaches to grow our program.”
There is quite a significant time commitment to coaching Juel and Juel Prep with upwards of three practices a week and away games on the weekend.
“You are travelling and playing on the weekend but over the years Juel has done a good job of organizing the schedule so that you are not travelling to Windsor every other weekend or up to Ottawa. You play more games within an hour or two drive at the most,” Larman said. “We assist coaches with travel and accommodations.”
During the 2020-21 season, teams were picked and Keltos and Sentance were able to get about four and a half weeks of practices in before the province was locked down by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are five and a half weeks remaining of training and that will be completed when it is safe to do so. Players from those teams will then have the opportunity to try out again.
Tryouts for the 2021-22 Juel and Juel Prep are tentatively scheduled for mid-August but that could change depending on what is happening with the pandemic.
“We’re excited about it and looking forward to the seasons,” Larman said.