Coaching Mentorship Program
Coach Mentorship Program
The Wolves coach mentorship program will allow passionate and aspiring coaches to be provided assistance by an experienced “Mentor” coach, who has been trained and developed using the National Coach Certification Program (NCCP Certified).
In this program the “Mentee” will be mentored by an experienced mentor coach who has an advanced understanding of lacrosse. Mentorship provides industry-specific methods to guide a learner, in this case, our future coaches. As a qualified and experienced lacrosse coach, the mentor teaches the mentee by using a best practice approach on how to develop the mentee’s actions and behaviours. Like any other technical job in the marketplace today, the Mentee will be required to fulfill certain tasks and to commit a number of hours throughout the playing year (8 contact hours minimum).
It has become quite apparent that the recruitment of new people into our coaching circle has its practical and demographic challenges, outside of the informal commitments of time/money. Most teams have at least one coach who in all probability, has little or no lacrosse background or knowledge. They usually have the ability to administer the program, and would provide excellent assistance to someone who could supervise and provide the skills and knowledge base.
There are many different roadblocks facing new coaches & players wishing to coach, which only amplifies the task:
- No lacrosse background
- No skill with a stick
- The program takes up too much free time
- Employment or school schedule restraints
- Can’t fit in the necessary training (certification) into an already busy schedule
- No visible support from the local or provincial association
Applications
Re: Application for the formal coach mentorship program being offered by Laxlife
Eligibility:
We are looking for *Mentors who are:
- Committed
- Experienced
- Qualified
- Confident
- Accountable/Supportive
- Accessible (Skype is an option)
*Special considerations will be made for coaches who are currently coaching, please indicate whether you are currently coaching on the application form
We are looking for *Mentees who are:
- Committed (Skype is an option)
- Passionate
- Accountable
- Self-Aware
- Team-Oriented
- Problem Solver
*Special considerations will be made for trained/certified coaches from other sports and teacher applicants, please indicate on the application form whether you are a teacher or coach of another sport.
Application Deadline: (March 23, 2026)
Fee: This coach mentorship program will be offered free of charge for successful applicants, both mentor and mentee. Expenses incurred as part of this program will also be reimbursed, pending proper receipts and/or paper trail. Social functions and professional workshops will also be offered free of charge to both parties, as will coach certification advancement.
Selection Process: The Wolves Board will be evaluating the merits of all applications received, and we will do our best to ensure that the right match is made between mentor/mentee coaches, with up to 10 mentor-mentee relationships being supported in year 1 of this program (coach mentor dependent). The presence of another mentor alongside the one provided by the Wolves is an asset, but not mandatory. Successful applicants should ideally be available for an orientation session (Tentative Date = March 29 - Sackville Arena).
Mentors
Meet the experienced coaches who are mentoring and supporting the next generation of Wolves coaches.
Brett Draper
Brett brings extensive experience both behind the bench and on the floor. His playing career includes time with the Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Coquitlam Adanacs Sr. A—where he was named a 2022 2nd Team All-Star—and Orangeville Junior B. He also played with the Dartmouth Bandits (ECJLL) from 2016-2021, where he was part of four league championship teams, and earned recognition as a team captain and 1st Team All-Star. He was also named Defensive Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Ales Hrebesky Memorial.
Brett’s coaching career includes serving as Assistant Coach with the Dartmouth Bandits (2024) and Head Coach (2025-present). He is also the Head Coach for Team Nova Scotia U17 and Director of High Tide Lacrosse.
Alli Dyer
Alli brings extensive experience both on the floor and behind the bench. Her playing career includes competing in Jr. A with the Wolves and representing Team Nova Scotia at four national championships, where she was named to the 2018 National All-Star Team.
Her coaching experience includes 8 years with the Wolves Lacrosse Association, working with teams from U11 through Junior, as well as 3 years as an Assistant Coach with Team Nova Scotia (U17 and U22). In 2022, she was recognized as the Wolves Lacrosse Female Coach of the Year.
Steph Leblanc
Steph brings an impressive background as both a player and coach. His playing career includes being a 1st Round Draft Pick of the Toronto Rock in 2009, earning NLL Rookie of the Year in 2010, and winning an NLL Championship with the Toronto Rock in 2011. He also competed at the senior level with the Langley Thunder (WLA) and Six Nations Chiefs and Oakville Rock (MSL), and was a Minto Cup finalist with the Burnaby Lakers in 2006-2007. Internationally, Steph represented Team Canada, winning gold medals at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2011 and 2015.
Steph’s coaching experience includes serving as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Mercyhurst North East (2010-2012)and Head Coach in the Toronto Rock Elite League (2013-2017). More recently, he has coached locally as Head Coach of the St. Margaret’s Bay Rebels Jr. A (2021-2023) and with the St. Margaret’s Bay Storm U7/U9 programs (2023-present).
Zac Carrigan
Zac brings extensive experience as both a player and coach. His playing career includes time with the Brooklin Merchants Sr. A & B, a stint with the Halifax Thunderbirds, and Junior A with the Wolves, where he became the all-time ECJLL leading scorer and earned multiple accolades, including 2× First Team All-Star, 2× Offensive Player of the Year, and 2× Top Scorer. He also played NCAA lacrosse at Mars Hill University, where he is the all-time leading goal and point scorer, and has competed at the Ales Hrebesky Tournament with the Privateers, winning two championships, MVP, two Offense MVPs, and two Leading Scorer awards.
His coaching experience includes founding and directing High Tide Lacrosse, serving as head and assistant coach for various Team Nova Scotia field lacrosse teams, and acting as an assistant coach for Team Nova Scotia female box teams.
Jessie Hynes
Jessie brings a strong background as both a player and coach. Her playing career includes the Dartmouth Bandits and Team Nova Scotia in both field and box lacrosse, where she served in several leadership roles. She went on to play at Maryville University, where she was team captain and earned 2× All-American, 3× First Team All-Conference, and First Team All-Region honours, along with multiple Attack Player of the Week awards.
Her coaching experience includes serving as Assistant Coach of the St. Louis Samurai and in several roles with 410 West Lacrosse Club. She has also coached camps with the St. Louis Youth Lacrosse Association. Currently, Jessie coaches the Team Nova Scotia U13 girls team, is on the Jr. A Bandits bench, and is involved with Sirens Lacrosse.
Bente Van Bilsen
Bente brings strong experience as both a player and coach. Her playing career includes the Sackville Wolves Jr. A program, where she served as team captain from 2023-2025. In 2025, she helped lead the Wolves to a championship, earning Top Scorer, Offensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-Star honours. Bente has also competed internationally with Team Netherlands and continues to play at a high level with teams including the Thousand Island Spirits (LAXNAI), Loggers LC, Eastern Blazers (WALL)—winning a championship in 2025—and the Arthur Aces (WMSL). She has also represented Team Nova Scotia, most recently at the U22 level, where she served as team captain and was named to the tournament all-star team.
Her coaching experience includes working with the Wolves U15 and U17 girls programs, as well as Team Nova Scotia U15 and U17 girls teams as an assistant coach. She has also coached with Sirens Lacrosse and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Wolves Jr. A girls team and the Team Nova Scotia U15 girls team.
Liam McGrath
Liam brings extensive experience at both the elite playing and coaching levels. His playing career includes representing Team Canada at the U17 level and with the U21 Team Canada team at the World Junior Indoor Lacrosse Championship, along with time in the ECJLL with the Warriors, Junior B and A with the Whitby Northmen, and competing for The Hill Academy and Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he was part of the 2023 NCAA National Championship team. Liam has also played at the senior level with the Coquitlam Adanacs (Sr. A) and MSL Oakville Northstars, and professionally with the Georgia Swarm.
His coaching experience includes time with the St. Margaret’s Bay Rebels Jr. A (ECJLL), as well as coaching with Team Nova Scotia field (U17/U19) and Team Nova Scotia box (U15). He has also coached at the school level with Mount Vernon Prep men’s varsity.
Ryan Evong
Ryan brings extensive experience across community and high-performance coaching. His coaching career includes long-standing involvement with the Wolves Lacrosse Association (2015-present), Sirens Lacrosse (2018-present), Lacrosse Nova Scotia (2019-present), and Bluenose Field Lacrosse (2020-present). He has also served as an assistant coach with Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games.
Ryan’s coaching accomplishments include leading teams to back-to-back Bronze Medals at Box Nationals (2022 & 2023) and being named Lacrosse Nova Scotia Coach of the Year in 2018.
Chris Burgess
Chris brings a wealth of experience across high-performance coaching and playing. His coaching career includes serving as Head Coach of the Saint John Rapids (ECJLL Jr. A), where he has led the program to two Founders Cup appearances, and as Head Coach of the University of New Brunswick men’s lacrosse team. He has also held roles as Interim Head Coach of the New Westminster Salmonbellies Sr. B, and as a coach within the Team New Brunswick program, including the Canada Summer Games. Chris currently serves as Technical Director for Lacrosse New Brunswick and has over 14 years of coaching experience across community, junior, and high-performance levels. In 2022, he was named Lacrosse New Brunswick Coach of the Year.
His playing career includes competing at Dominican College (NCAA Division II), as well as in the ECJLL and MUFLL, where he earned multiple all-star selections. He has also represented Team Nova Scotia at four national championships and competed with the NS Privateers at the Presidents Cup.
Mitch Broussard
Mitch brings a strong background as both a player and coach. His playing career includes time with the Wolves Jr. A program, where he served as team captain and earned First Team All-Star honours along with two Second Team All-Star selections. He went on to play at Bishop’s University, where he was named Rookie of the Year, and has competed at a high level both nationally and internationally, including with the Nova Scotia Privateers at the Presidents Cup and at the Ales Hrebesky Memorial Tournament, where he captured a championship in 2023.
His coaching experience includes serving as Offensive Coach for Team Nova Scotia U15, working with multiple Nova Scotia field programs as an offensive assistant, and currently as Offensive Assistant Coach with the Wolves Jr. A team. In 2025, Mitch and the Wolves staff were named ECJLL Coaching Staff of the Year following the team’s second consecutive Garnet Knight championship.
