Meet the Coaches: Emily Froese
2021-22 Team: U13 A
Coaching History: 4 years with VFIHA (U11 and U13 A), 1 year with Richmond Ravens Female Hockey Association (U13 C)
What is your coaching philosophy?
I believe that hockey has the potential to make a positive difference in every player’s life! I hope to help my players develop a love of sport that stays with them no matter where hockey takes them. My goal as a coach is to create an atmosphere where players feel inspired to work hard, feel safe to push themselves and make mistakes, and feel supported by each other. Jaime Yee and I are continually learning and looking for ways to improve our coaching and hope to also inspire this growth mindset in the players we coach.
Is there a sports moment that has inspired you?
One sports moment that stands out to me is the Canadian women’s hockey team’s gold medal win in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympics. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the excitement of having the Olympics in my own city! As well, it was the first time I remember watching women play at such a high level and it really inspired me to see that there were no limits to what I could achieve in hockey. Soon after, I got a copy of Hayley Wickenheiser’s book describing her 2010 Olympic experiences, and I remember reading it over and over again, inspired by all the years of hard work it took to get to that moment!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from hockey?
I think that one of the biggest life lessons that I learned through hockey is the importance of being a lifelong learner. For me, this means being honest about what I still don’t know or what I want to improve, pushing myself without fear of failure, and always being open to learning from those around me.
Why do you think it’s important for girls to have female role models in sport?
I think that it’s important for all players to be able to see themselves represented in sports. Having successful female athletes and coaches as role models, as well as women who are breaking barriers in hockey, can show players that they belong in all aspects of the world of sports and can inspire that to dream big. At VFIHA, we are lucky to be surrounded by female role models, whether it be coaches, referees, or older players. I hope that my players feel supported and inspired by those around them and that they realize the important role they play in growing female hockey in Vancouver!
Interested in joining VFIHA as a coach? Contact us at coach@vfiha.com