Nova Scotia Coach Webinar Series

Basketball Nova Scotia (BNS) is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for coaches across the province to enhance their skills and knowledge through a comprehensive webinar series. Designed to empower coaches at all levels, the series will feature experienced and high-level professionals sharing insights on various aspects of coaching, professional development, and community building.

What: A series of webinars to provide coaches opportunities to learn from experienced and high level coaches and professionals.

Who: Open to all coaches in Nova Scotia.

When/Presenters: All sessions will take place from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm AST.

• Week 1 (May 15): TJ Rosene - "How to Build a Positive Culture"
• Week 2 (May 22): Ted Upshaw - "Impactful Leadership"
• Week 3 (May 29): Carly Clarke - "Offensive Strategy"
• Week 4 (June 5): Tanya McKay - "Effective teaching strategies"
• Week 5 (June 12): Gilbert Abraham - "Learning Theories and a Holistic Approach to Skills Development"
• Week 6 (June 19): Ron Yeung - "Player Development Strategy

Where: The webinars will be hosted virtually on Zoom, providing easy accessibility to participants from across the globe.

Cost: Free for BNS member coaches. Non-members can access each session for $10 or avail of a special offer of $50 for all six sessions.

Get to know the experienced and accomplished coaches who will be leading our webinar sessions. Their expertise and insights promise to elevate your coaching skills to new heights. Read on to learn more about each of our esteemed coaches.

Week 1 (May 15): TJ Rosene: How to build positive culture

TJ Rosene is entering his 21st season as a head college coach. The last 16 of those have been at the helm of the Emmanuel University Lions in Franklin Springs, Georgia, USA. During that time, Rosene has coached in 6 national championship games between NAIA and NCCAA. In the Lions' final year as an NAIA member the Lions made it all the way to the National Championship game. In the 4 years following the Lions played post season in the NCCAA winning 2 National Championships. The Lions have won 3 NCCAA National Championships since 2009. Rosene has accumulated over 400 wins with 12 20-win seasons, including a streak of 10 consecutive 20-win seasons in a row.  Rosene has 3 times been named National Coach of the Year. 2018-19 was the Lions’ first season as full NCAA Division II members. In Emmanuel’s four seasons as a part of Conference Carolinas, Rosene has twice been named Coach of the Year (2018-19 and 2020-21). He has led the team to two regular season titles, 2019-20 and 2020-21, and one tournament title, 2019. The Conference Carolinas title gave them an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. The appearance came in Emmanuel's first-ever year of NCAA post-season eligibly. In 2021, the Lions received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the Sweet 16.

Coach Rosene was born into the profession. He is the son of a long-time high school coach who he played for at Oconee County High School. Rosene says, “Coaching is a rare opportunity to shape and mold the lives of young people. It is privilege that I never take for granted. My father taught me how to use coaching and the game of basketball to change lives and make an impact, and for that I am forever grateful.” 

Coach Rosene is married to Erin (Reeves) Rosene, and they have 4 children - Boston, Bella, Presley, and River.

Coach Rosene also currently serves as the director of coach development for PGC Basketball Camps and oversees all PGC Coaching Clinics across North America.

Coach Rosene's 2022-23 Commitment Statement:

"You can count on me to develop, engage, and empower men of great influence. I will communicate to challenge and uplift. You can count on me to not only lead the way\ but to go the way. You can count on me to lead with humility and pursue excellence with energy and resilience. I will lead these amazing young men in an unwavering pursuit of being school changers, game changers, and world changers. The Lord will lead our steps, and our love for others will be evident.

Week 2 (May 22): Ted Upshaw: Impactful Leadership

Ted was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia and grew up in Three Mile Plains, obtaining his formal education at Windsor Regional High School and his degree at Acadia University.  While attending Acadia, Ted had the privilege of playing basketball for the Axemen, winning the CIAU ( U-Sports) Nationals in 1977 and participated in the National tournament three more years. Ted received numerous individual honours that include the AUAA Conference first team All-Star and MVP award, as well as Acadia’s top male athlete. While playing for the Axemen Ted was named to the CIAU All-Canadian team on a number of occasions and over this time he participated in the Canadian National Team program.   He went on to be inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame as an individual athlete and a member of the 1980-81 basketball team. The 1980-81 team, Ted was a member of was also inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and in 2021 Ted was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame as an individual athlete. 

Ted has spent most of his substantial and successful career in public safety.  It began with the RCMP and progressed over a period of 28 years.  Ted was promoted often and became a senior officer, attaining the rank of Superintendent. While Ted served in many areas of Canada his senior management years were served as Officer-in-charge of Cole Harbour N.S., OIC Mission B.C and the District Policing Officer in Northeast Nova, N.S.  

Ted’s success and successful management style is based a lot on what he was able to take away from his years in sport and the coaches he interacted with. To be successful Ted likes to refer to his four ingredients of success; Desire,Support,Dedication and Patience.

Week 3 (May 29) Carly Clarke: Offensive strategy

Carly Clarke was named the Head Coach of the Bold women's basketball team in June of 2012.

The 2021-22 season was historic for Clarke, leading TMU to an undefeated season, culminating in an OUA and U SPORTS national title. The team went 14-0 through conference play, then concluded the OUA season with a 22-point fourth quarter comeback to claim the Critelli Cup for the program's second provincial title. The team was ranked No. 1 heading into the Final 8 national championship, and defeated UPEI, Brock, and Winnipeg en route to the team's first national championship and only the second for any team at the university. Clarke was recognized with her first conference and national awards, winning the OUA Coach of the Year and U SPORTS Coach of the Year awards. At the end of the season, she was also named the OUA Coach of the Year across all sports.

In 2019-20, Clarke led the Ryerson Rams (now TMU Bold) to yet another impressive season, chalking up an 18-4 record as well as reaching the OUA Championship game and the 2020 U SPORTS women's basketball Final 8 national championship.

Clarke guided the Rams to a record setting season in 2015-16, tying a program-best 16 conference victories before winning the first OUA championship in Ryerson history. The Rams also became the first Ryerson team, in any sport, to appear in a national championship final where they finished with the silver medal. The Rams were nationally ranked in all 13 Top Ten polls and peaked at the No. 2 position in early January to mark the highest ever ranking for the program.

In the summer of 2021 Clarke became an Olympian, serving as an assistant coach with the Canadian women's senior national team in Tokyo. The Canadians finished ninth at the event. Clarke remains with the national program as the team works towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In July of 2023, Clarke led the Canadian U19 women's national team to a bronze medal win at the World Cup. Clarke is the only coach to guide Canada to the podium in the age group, also claiming bronze back in 2017. She was also a member of the coaching staff for Team World at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit. 

In the summer of 2022, Clarke served as head coach for the U23 women's national team at the international GLOBL JAM FIVES competition, held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, home of the Bold.

As an athlete, Clarke played five seasons with Bishop's University where she guided the Gaiters to a QSSF championship and fifth-place finish at the CIS (now U SPORTS) Final 8 in 2004. The former academic all-Canadian, who completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology, also topped the nation in 2004 in three-point field-goal shooting percentage.

Week 4 (June 5): Tanya McKay - Effective Teaching Strategies

Coach McKay is in her second season as head coach of the Tigers. 

The head coach of the Winnipeg Wesmen women’s basketball team from 1996-2022, she guided her team to a silver medal finish at the 2022 U SPORTS Final 8 Women’s Basketball Championship in Kingston, Ontario. In her 26 years as head coach, she led the Wesmen to three silver (2021-22, 2002-03 & 2004-05) and two bronze (2001-2002 & 2003-04) medals at the national championship. She was also an assistant coach with the team in the 1992-93 season when they won national gold. McKay comes to the Tigers with a U SPORTS career coaching record of 526-305. 

The 2016-17 Canada West Coach of the Year, McKay has accrued four second and two third place finishes at the Canada West conference championships. 

A 10-time Basketball Manitoba provincial team coach, she led the U17 team to a national championship win in 2014 and the U21 team to a silver medal at the 1999 Canada Basketball national championship. 

The 2014 Basketball Manitoba Coach of the Year, she guided Team Manitoba’s Western Canada Summer Games basketball team to a silver medal in 1995 and a bronze in 2003. She earned the title of Basketball Manitoba’s Open Category Coach of the Year at the end of the 2021-22 season. 

An NCCP Level 4 coach with an NCI diploma, McKay has experience coaching at the national level, serving as an assistant coach for Canada’s World Universiade team in 1999 and in 2000 as an assistant coach with Canada Basketball’s junior national team at the World Francophone Games. 

Originally from Sackville, Nova Scotia, McKay (nee MacKenzie) played for the Wesmen from 1986 to 1991 while completing a Bachelor of Arts. During her five seasons, she was a three-time CIS All-Canadian and GPAC all-star. The 1988-89 GPAC Player of the Year, she was the rookie of the year in 1986-87. She was inducted to the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2003. 

She also earned a Bachelor of Education in 1996 from the University of Winnipeg and taught from 2004 to 2019 at University of Winnipeg Collegiate and within the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Winnipeg.

Week 5 (June 12): Gilbert Abraham - Learning Theories and a Holistic Approach to Skills Development

Gilbert Abraham has a burning passion for basketball bred by long days and nights in the gym. Gilbert brings a specialized skill set that includes coaching, professional basketball training experience and years of instructional work. He has been a long time director with PGC basketball, and organization that aims to teach players to think the game and become leaders.

Referred to as “Coach A”, Gilbert is currently a Player Development Coach with the Portland Trailblazers, NBA team. He has also been an Assistant Coach with the San Antonio Spurs G-League team, the Austin Spurs. Gilbert has been preparing players at an elite level for more than 10 years and has trained several professional players all over the world. Abraham has trained well over 50 NBA players, and scores of players playing professionally abroad and in the collegiate ranks.

Coach A over the past 5 years has served as a global consultant to basketball federation(s), professional basketball teams, and a plethora of development organizations. 

Gilbert is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics with a minor in Creative Writing. Abraham is also an alumni of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration. He credits his academic approach to the game of basketball to his scholastic background.

Gilbert and his wife Noelle have three children, Gabriel, Eden and Cielo.

Away from the gym, Gilbert enjoys spending time with family, public speaking, poetry and community service.

Week 6 (June 19): Ron Yeung - Player Development strategy

Head, Domestic & 3x3 Development - Canada Basketball 

Ron Yeung has been involved in both the amateur and professional sports industry for over 20+ years.  Over this time, he has served in a number of important roles responsible for the strategic growth and development of basketball across Canada.  Ron started his career with the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, where he was a member of the community development team, responsible for a number of basketball development programs such as Raptorball Youth League, Hoop-It-Up, and Raptors Basketball Academy.  In 2007, he was commissioned by Canada Basketball to design and develop Steve Nash Youth Basketball (SNYB), a national youth development program aimed to grow the game at the grassroots level.  In his current role as Head, Domestic & 3x3 Development, Ron is tasked with overseeing one of Canada Basketball’s key strategic pillar in system alignment effort by developing and strengthening the entire basketball ecosystem.  Through keystone coach education and officials development programs, to aligning the entire athlete pathway thru collaborative efforts with PTSOs, these efforts are critical to the overall health and success of basketball growth in Canada.  In addition, he also champions some of the more recent major amateur sport industry focuses, in developing policies and programs for Safe Sport, Club Verification, Gender Equity, Concussion Awareness, etc.  In 2022, Ron also took on the role of High Performance Director for 3x3 Basketball, where he heads up and oversees the development of both the men’s and women’s 3x3 high performance program as they vie for a spot towards the Paris Olympics.  

Questions can be directed to Emma at basketballtd@sportnovascotia.ca.