Carleton women’s basketball head coach Dani Sinclair’s first season with the team has been a unique one, as the pandemic forced the cancellation of all OUA-sanctioned sports this academic year.
Sinclair was announced as head coach for the team in the spring after nearly 20 years coaching at the University of Victoria.
Through coaching during a pandemic, Sinclair is facing a major new challenge. With guidelines and restrictions constantly subject to change, as well as the cancellation of the basketball season, the team has had to resort to less traditional ways of team building.
Sinclair said for any coach in any sport to have a smooth and successful tenure, one of the most important aspects is the coach-player relationship.
“You can’t rush with the players, you must earn their trust through day-to-day actions.”
The team has relied heavily on technology to help build trust and connection. First year member of the team, Rae Bradley, says Sinclair has made the best of the circumstances to build team chemistry. Bradley said when gyms were closed and they couldn’t practice, they had to rely on weekly team Zoom calls instead of meeting in person.
Bradley said, as a first-year player she originally was somewhat intimidated having to meet her new older teammates over Zoom. But she said Sinclair helped her overcome this obstacle quickly. Sinclair would make up different games the team would all play together over Zoom to help build chemistry and break the ice, Bradley said.
As far as on the court, Sinclair said “passion and hard work inspire,” and what she expects of her players, she also expects of herself. Bradley noted this as well, when she finally was able to meet Sinclair in person.
“You can clearly see the passion and dedication coach Sinclair has for Carleton basketball, and that in itself made me even more excited to learn from her,” Bradley said.
Aside from building team chemistry off the court, Sinclair is also focusing on making sure the team is ready to go for next season. Assistant coach Dean Petridis said he is looking forward to working with Sinclair and the different play style she brings to the team.
Petridis said historically they have always been more of a defensive team and Sinclair brings a fresh, offensively-focused mind and style to the program.
He added that she has the wisdom and experience, as well as a high basketball IQ, to make everyone around her better at what they do.
Sinclair also said she is trying to establish a relationship as a team and on an individual level to show players she genuinely cares for them. Petridis said Sinclair has been easy to talk to, which has helped the team build the relationship Sinclair is striving for.
The team is still able to practice with each other in person, following strict Covid protocols. Bradley said the fun they have at practice, joking and laughing with each other, as well as the constant support the players are receiving from the staff and each other have helped the team bond.
All three said they believe the atmosphere and chemistry they are building has kept the team on track for future success.
“There is no doubt in my mind that coach Sinclair has kept us on track for a very successful 2021-22 season,” Bradley said.
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Featured image by Tim Austen
