There’s going to be a new assistant coach on the sidelines thanks to a national grant.

Ashley Streuber, who is studying for her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counselling at Briercrest College and Seminary, was one of 12 assistant coaches selected by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association to earn a Female Apprentice Coach Program grant.

Funded by Sport Canada, the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program provides funding that assists female graduating student-athletes to participate in collegiate sport as apprentice coaches. The program provides grants for professional development opportunities and operational costs associated with the apprentice coach.

Streuber will be the assistant coach for Nolan Weinmaster, coach of the women’s volleyball team.

“Ashley has been a huge part of our program as a player for five years and she is such a great role model and leader for the players to look up to,” Weinmaster said. “She also has a great knowledge of the game and was the smartest volleyball player I have coached in my time as a college coach. Having her continue in our program as a coach is such a huge blessing!”

The coach is confident Streuber will be a valuable addition to the staff and is excited to help develop her coaching and leadership skills.

“Ashley will be great at teaching and also at game planning/strategy against our opponents. She will especially help our middle players as she has so much experience and knowledge to pass on to them.”

Streuber will be building on the experience she gained while working at Athletes in Action volleyball camps for two summers, being recreational director at a day camp, and helping lead volleyball and other sports clinics in schools.

Coaching players that she used to be on the court with shouldn’t be an issue, Weinmaster added.

“She was someone all of her teammates looked up to as a player and I know the players will really respect her and learn a great deal from her.”

Streuber’s abilities go beyond the technical side of the game, according to Weinmaster.

“Ashley will make a great coach not only because of her knowledge of the game, her experience of playing a variety of positions at a really high level and the way she thinks the game, but also because she is a great person and someone who really cares about others and wants what is best for them,” Weinmaster said. “She has the ability to relate really well to others and wants to see players develop character and life skills as well as see them grow spiritually in their relationship with God. Those things all add up to her being a great coach now and in the future as she continues to learn and grow.”