Women’s basketball program welcomes graduate assistant

Women's basketball program welcomes graduate assistant

Jonnel "Nel" Jackson describes joining Capers as 'great honour'

By Corey LeBlanc 

The next stop on Jonnel "Nel" Jackson's coaching journey will be Sydney as a member of the Cape Breton University (CBU) women's basketball program.

A former college player – who also represented her native Barbados on its junior and senior national teams – recently joined the perennial Atlantic University Sport (AUS) contenders as a graduate assistant under the mentorship of veteran head coach Fabian McKenzie.

"I am really excited – it is such a blessing," Jackson says of the opportunity, one that she describes as a "great honour."

Noting her playing experience – not to mention an ever-growing resume at the coaching level – McKenzie says Jackson will be a "great fit for our program."

"Nel really wants to get better and she is so focused on moving to the next level [as a head coach]," he adds.

Describing her as a "lifelong learner," McKenzie credits Jackson for her diligence in improving and mining for information.

"Nel is a great young lady, who really wants to do this (coaching) and succeed," he says.

Jackson is making the move to the east coast from Edmonton, where she most recently served as head coach of the M.E. LaZerte junior girls' basketball team, while also assisting with the Alberta Basketball Association's (ABA's) Targeted Athlete Strategy (TAS) program for girls.  

She is also one of 17 coaches participating in the first Black Female Coaching Mentorship Program (BCFMP), a pilot project geared towards creating Black female mentorship, coach professionalization, and leadership development opportunities. The Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA), in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada, created the initiative.

Cheryl Jean-Paul – head coach of the Trinity Western University women's basketball program, who also led Team Canada to a silver medal at the 2019 FIBA U-16 Women's Americas Championship – serves as Jackson's BCFMP mentor. 

"I have learned so much from her," Jackson says, describing Jean-Paul as not only a mentor but also a "great friend."

She suggested that she apply for the graduate assistant opportunity with the Capers.

"Everything just fell into place," Jackson says.

Jackson will continue a rich tradition established by McKenzie when it comes to bringing on graduate assistants and helping them develop their skills.

"[We] not only want to help our players grow but also our coaches," he explains.

McKenzie, who has a deep and long-time connection to the national women's program, repeated a mindset that serves as a cornerstone for Basketball Canada.

"You can't be what you can't see," he says, reflecting on the importance of providing coaching opportunities for females.

Jackson praises McKenzie for his continuing willingness "to give back."

"I want to help in any way that I can," she says of what she hopes to bring to the Capers.

Noting her strength in skill development, Jackson explains she also wants to share her understanding of the technical side of the game and ability as a communicator.

As for what she envisions gaining from her CBU experience, she says "learning and absorbing as much information as I can," including "how things are done" at the U Sports' level.

Jackson has already started working remotely with Caper coaches and student-athletes.

"We can't wait to get her rolling here – she is so highly motivated," McKenzie says of her expected arrival on the CBU campus this summer.

It will be the first time in this part of Canada for Jackson and her husband, Vance, who is a strength and conditioning coach. 

"We are really excited," Jackson says about making the move.

The couple owns Khai Athletics, which she explains focuses "primarily" on female player skill development.

"I am super excited," Jackson says of joining the Capers, while admitting there is also an element of nervousness.

"I am feeling a little bit of everything," she concludes, with a laugh.

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