A former all-star and college coach in the United States is the new head coach of the Douglas College Royals softball program.
Michelle Peters takes over the flourishing New Westminsterbased team from Gord Collings, who earlier this season accepted the head coach position with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
"Michelle brings strong leadership and coaching and training expertise, both at the community level and the post-secondary level," said Debbie Schachter, acting director of Campus Life and Athletics at Douglas, in a school press release. "Her energy and enthusiasm for the sport, combined with her commitment to maintain and develop a successful program, mean another exciting year for softball at Douglas."
Peters, who has reached the National Coaching Certification Program's Level 3, led B.C. to a gold medal at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games as an assistant coach. She is also the current technical director for the Surrey Storm Fastpitch Softball Association, where she has also coached.
Peters was an assistant coach with the Simon Fraser University Clan during its NAIA national championship run in 2010. She also runs the Elite Softball Training Centre in Abbotsford.
While captain of the Long Island University varsity team, Peters earned a bachelor of science in elementary education. After graduating, she joined the coaching staff for two years, helping the NCAA Division 2 school to a conference championship as associate head coach. While she was on board, the Pioneers program won a Northeast regional coaching staff of the year award.
The Royals are the only Canadian softball team in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
"Having played and coached at the collegiate level, I recognized what tremendous opportunities such a program would bring to student athletes pursuing softball careers in B.C.," said Peters. "So to have a chance be a part of the Royals program today is very exciting for me."
Collings, who created the Douglas softball program, led the Royals to second place in the championship finals after only three years in the Northwest community college league.
"When you build a program up and it's becoming successful and recognized as a good program, it's hard to leave," he said.
"Gord is an outstanding coach and mentor who always puts athletes first, and he emphasized the importance of academics for our student athletes," added Schachter.
