Adelia Paul Joins FACP
Her collegiate career is not over yet
Story courtesy of the CCAA
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association is proud to announce its 2017-18 participants for the Female Apprentice Coach Program.
Adelia Paul’s collegiate career wrapped up last March in Edmonton, AB, at the 2017 CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship. Or so she thought.
A season removed from her final year of eligibility, in which she led the Royals to their first PACWEST title in 23 years, the former captain will return to Douglas College as an apprentice.
The PACWEST’s all-time assists leader (317) will be mentored by head coach Steve Beauchamp.
“Adelia is one of those rare student-athletes that comes along once in a lifetime,” said Brian McLennon, Manager of Athletics at Douglas College. “While her on-court accomplishments are exceptional and allows her to stand among the elite student-athletes of the PACWEST and CCAA, it is her innate behaviour to give back and mentor others where she is most impressive.”
Paul has already established a legacy within her hometown, the small Aboriginal community of Kitamaat Village, BC, where she has initiated basketball camps for boys and girls ages 10-18. Last September, Paul organized a two-day camp with the assistance of her Douglas teammates as well as Coach Beauchamp.
“My hope in doing those camps and teaching what I know about basketball to other players, especially younger players, is that they chase whatever it is they love to do,” said Paul. “I chased basketball outside of Kitamaat and it has exposed many opportunities, such as this one, to try to grasp and take advantage of.”
In addition to the basketball component, the cultural and community aspects of the trip to Kitamaat were incredible, according to Beauchamp.
“The respect and role model Adel represents in the area are undeniable,” he said. “Basketball is such an important part of the community and Adel’s success at the college level, both from an academic and basketball perspective, are truly an inspiration for so many young First Nations children and teenagers.”
Throughout Beauchamp’s 30-year coaching career, he has welcomed and encouraged his players to get involved in coaching. In 2003, Beauchamp established an U13 girls’ community based basketball club and he continues to run it today with the support of several former players.
While the Royals look to defend their PACWEST title in 2017-18, there’s no doubt that Paul’s work ethic, experience and leadership qualities will make her a valuable addition to the Douglas Royals coaching staff this season.
“I fully expect Adel to be a Head Coach at some time in the future,” he said.