Basketball has always been a significant part of my life. Learning to play while maintaining an academic life was always a dynamic challenge. What drives me is transitioning this sport I love into a full time career, by coaching and training the game I grew up with.
I've been blessed to have been taught the fundamentals by my mom and dad at such a young age. I have combined my family's love of the sport with unique experiences from different coaches, mentors, and communities throughout my career. Basketball has molded me not only into the basketball player, but the person I am today. As a trainer, I'm most excited to share the skills, habits, and lessons I have engaged in. Below are segments of my life, progressing from my family, to high-school, and to university. |
The Charles Family
Without my family, my basketball career wouldn't be possible. My parents met as coaches in Vancouver, where I was born. This meant that as soon as I was able to pick up an item, chances are it was going to be a basketball. This is supported by one of my favorite home videos, displaying me shoot on a mini-basketball hoop at the age of two. I am the oldest of 4, with two brothers and a sister. We loved to play. We loved to battle. My parents taught me to compete, and my siblings were the competitors.
The outside backyard battles were either playful, educational, or a battlefield, full of grit, fouls, and constant rematches. Without my brothers and sister, I wouldn't have known what it takes to not only care about winning, but also staying together. Yes, there were games that pushed us to our limits, but acknowledging what matters most in the end kept us together each and every day.
Creative games kept us close, and constant rematches kept us competing. However, we always worked as a team contending against others when the Charles family was challenged. |
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Highschool
I began to specialize and narrow my focus towards basketball in high-school, at Brentwood College. The long summer shifts payed off to go there, where I was able to compete with such passionate and knowledgeable coaches. They mentored me to the finite details, and refined my skills each year until graduation. I am thankful they prepared me for post-secondary, and continue to give me advice whenever I call.
I qualified three consecutive years for the B.C. provincial basketball teams. My youth 15 tryout, I did not make the A team, resulting on not being able to compete in the national tournament that year. That tryout was my first time being exposed to the best players in the province, and missing the A team was troubling. I set a goal for next summer. Youth 16, I started for the A team. Youth 17, not only did I start, but I was a leader during our national tournament appearance, capturing a bronze medal for B.C. It felt remarkable being able to represent my province against others, as well as competing in the United States against teams in Seattle, Oregon, and Vegas. |
University
I started and completed my university basketball career with the UVic Vikes. I was recruited out of high-school, and ended up narrowing my options to Victoria, only an hour away from my hometown in Duncan. Looking back, having my family and friends' presence so close during my career was such a benefit. However, I know I would have had their support even if I was somewhere else on the continent.
The Vikes is where I became familiar with constant travelling and road trips, as our regular season competes half-way across Canada. Some exhibition games consisted of travelling to the U.S., but my most memorable trip with the team was travelling to Japan. Our team was fortunate enough to represent Canada for Japan's collegiate all-star game. The 10-day trip was a complete culture change, where I got to discover a new lifestyle, adjust with the language barrier, and enhance my understanding of Japan's most sought after value, respect. It was humbling to be able to go on such a trip, and learning a different society was inspiring and enjoyable. |
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The hours spent training with my university coaches were crucial, as we continued to improve my versatility and knowledge using their expertise. Finishing my university career with a Canada West All-Star made me appreciative of all the effort and training, while juggling school and employment. This drive is what I am excited to bring to coaching; I enjoy attempting to translate my skills and see growth in young athletes in the sport we all love. It is a fun challenge to adapt and change my lesson in order for young athletes to further their development.