This week's episode features Jessica Roque, head coach of the University of Waterloo women's basketball program. 

Roque is in her first year with the Warriors, after making the move from the Ryerson Rams where she spent the past four seasons as the full-time Assistant Coach.  

With the Rams, Roque was the lead in preparing in-game tactics, practice facilitation, game film breakdown, recruiting, and more that has prepared her for a U SPORTS head coaching role. Roque also led the Rams in an interim head coaching role in the summer of 2018 during an international competition in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

On top of Roque's valuable experience gained at the U SPORTS level, she has coached in various other roles at the provincial and national level. Provincially, Roque led the U14 Ontario Girl's team in the Summer of 2019 and was also the assistant of the U17 Ontario Girl's team at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. Roque has also been a coach at the Ontario Basketball Association Centre for Performance from 2016-19.

Nationally, Roque was a training camp coach for the Junior National Men's Basketball team in 2017, a program that went on to win the FIBA World Cup gold medal. She was also a guest assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in July of 2019 at their California Classic Tournament. In addition, Roque gained more valuable interuniversity experience as an assistant coach in the NCAA for Cleveland State University (CSU) during the 2015-16 season.

Roque also had a very decorated playing career, suiting up for the CSU Vikings for four seasons (2006-2010), winning the 2008 and 2010 Horizon League Championship as co-captain. In 2010, Roque graduated from CSU with honours and a bachelors of science in health science. She then went on to take two years of Graduate School, graduating with honours and a masters of education in exercise science.

Jess is hard-working, honest and open to new experiences that will allow her to grow and evolve as a coach. 

In our conversation, we cover several topics, including the following: 

Transitioning from player to coach. 

Relocating for job opportunities.

The impact of mentorship on her coaching career. 

Enjoy!