Miramichi Women’s Volleyball Coach Says She Learned from the Best, Her Mother.

To be a good coach it’s said that you need to be both a natural leader and passionate about the sport. Some people live for the sport they play, and others prefer to watch from the sidelines. 23-year-old Jessica MacDonnell learned from the best coach she’s ever had, her mother Ann MacDonnell.

The U16 Miramichi Kaboom is being coached by a Miramichi Valley High School and St. Thomas volleyball alumnus to coach them, Jessica MacDonnell. Ann coached Jessica from the time she began playing until she went off to university.

“I loved playing. So, I figured if I couldn’t play, I would coach so I could still be around the game,” said Jessica.

Jessica has been playing volleyball for eleven years. However, this is her first year taking on the role as a coach instead of a player.

The Miramichi Kaboom is part of the Miramichi Volleyball Association and invites girls from all over Miramichi and its surrounding areas such as Baie Ste. Anne, Blackville, Neguac, and Esgenoôpetitj. This gives the girls an opportunity to play with other girls who they don’t go to school with and would eventually play against in their high school league. Although the Miramichi Kaboom is a competitive league, it was started to promote youth volleyball in the area.

“I would say the best part about coaching is inspiring the players and students and seeing how happy they are when they play,” said Jessica.

Although Jessica has a full schedule with two jobs on the go, New Maritime Brewery and the Veterans Affairs, she says her love for the game allows her to make room to volunteer as a coach for the team. She aims to inspire young girls like she was by her mother when she played.

Jessica says she learned all of her coaching skills from her mother. Ann is an English teacher at the Miramichi Valley High School and coaches their women’s volleyball team on the side. Ann is well known for her enthusiastic and funny personality.

“A couple of years ago my mom won a provincial title with her high school team, and I was lucky enough to experience that with her even though I wasn’t a player anymore. I was in the stands and just seeing her passion and love of the game she had really inspired me.”

Ann also had her fair share of playing when she was younger. Before she started her coaching career, she played for Miramichi Valley High School, Team Nova Scotia, and Saint Mary’s University. Ann’s son, Patrick, also played competitive volleyball until he graduated high school.

Jessica says she and her mother are polar opposites when it comes to coaching but admits to taking a lot of her mother’s advice.

With decades of volleyball running through this family, it’s safe to say that the torch has been passed down through generations and the sport will continue to be a big part of their lives. Jessica’s hope is to one day be as successful as her mother.