The Saskatchewan Rattlers have teamed up with Basketball Saskatchewan to celebrate the coaches of the community. Each month, one coach in Saskatchewan will be chosen as the Community Coach of the Month. The winner will receive a prize pack put together by Basketball Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Rattlers. If you have a deserving Community Coach that has made a difference to a player, team, or community - nominate a coach and take a moment to
fill out the form.
Please join us in celebrating the Community Coach for December 2021 - Trevor Mirtle. We sat down to discuss his career, current teams that he is coaching, and the basketball community. Take a minute to read the conversation below.
Where are you currently coaching? What age group and team are you coaching?
Trevor Mirtle -
Currently I coach four teams. I am the head coach of each of the following:
Centennial Collegiate Chargers (senior girls basketball), Saskatoon Slam (13U Club girls basketball), Silverwood Raptors (bantam A girls SMBA), and Silverwood Stars (spuds girls SMBA)
Tell us about how you got involved in coaching. What mentors have helped you along the way?
TM -
I got involved in coaching basketball after a year of playing for the U of S Huskies mens basketball team in 1995. Basketball was a major part of my life and I wanted to stay involved in the game and begin to share my knowledge. I have been coaching one team (or more!) every year since 1995. I have had a few people along the way be great mentors in encouraging me to stay apart of the sport and help me in my coaching journey. John Dewar was my high school coach and encouraged me to get into coaching after playing. Bill Weir from Regina was one of the first coaches I worked with while coaching an U17 provincial team and he helped me get more into the provincial program. Lastly my father Ian Mirtle was a high school coach himself and also ran the SMBA for many years. He got me involved with minor basketball and facilitating minor coaching clinics for the SMBA.
What makes a good basketball coach? What can you share with other coaches that are looking to leave an impact on their community?
TM -
I believe a good basketball coach is someone who has characteristics such as drive, energy, patience, a people person, humble and they often seek out opportunities to grow as a person and coach. My advice to coaches just starting out is to get involved with a team and be a sponge - soak up all of the knowledge you can and be an avid student of the game. I think it also helps to be a critical thinker to apply the knowledge to your situation and how it can be presented and used with players on your team.
What are your TOP 3 coaching highlights?
TM
1) Winning the schools first city championship in girls basketball at Centennial Collegaite in 2019 and finishing second at HOOPLA the provincial high school championships.
2) Being apart of the coaching staff that was selected to lead Team Sask U17 mens team in two different Canada Games.
3) Leading the Walter Murray senior boys team to an upset victory of #1 ranked Marion Graham in the first round of the 2017 city playoffs.
4) Being able to coach both of my daughters in the SMBA and seeing their excitement and love of the game grow.
Where do you hope to be in the Basketball Community of Saskatchewan in the next 5 years?
TM - My ultimate goal would be to coach at a college or university. If not, in 5 years I will still be coaching high school, club and SMBA and enjoying the daily challenges that comes with coaching.
Special thank you to
Basketball Saskatchewan for their partnership with the Community Coach initiative. Nominate a coach that has made a difference to a player, team, or community -
fill out the form.
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