Advisory Team

Sharon Butler

Founder Essa Basketball Academy

Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, University of Toronto
2x OCAA Coach of the Year, Level 3 Certified, Former Head Coach George Brown Women’s Basketball team for 15 seasons
Founder of Coach Mom, Athletic Recruiting Services
Played university basketball (4 years) U of T and represented Canada in the sport of netball for two decades

Michèle Bélanger

Canadian Basketball Hall of Famer

Michèle Bélanger spent 41 seasons as the Head Coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball program. She retired with an overall record of 855-504. Michèle has coached for Canada at all levels of competition and helped lead the team to a silver medal finish at the 2015 World University games in Korea. Both her playing and coaching careers boast numerous accomplishments. As a player, Michèle played for Laurentian University, where she was a part of four consecutive National Championship winning teams.

She began coaching at U of T in 1979, where she led the Varsity Blues to nine OUA Championships and one National title. Michèle’s contribution to basketball and the lives of countless student-athletes is unmatched. She was named OUA Coach of the Year eight times and was most recently honoured by the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame as a Class of 2022 Inductee.

Jackie Edwards

The Mother of Aaliyah Edwards

From an early age, Jackie Edwards was introduced to the world of sports. As a lifetime athlete Jackie played basketball, volleyball, ran track, and much more. After completing her collegiate career playing volleyball at Humber College, Jackie had more to give to the world of sports.

Through her earned experiences across the board she introduced her two sons Jermaine, and Jamal to the game of basketball as a grassroots coach in Kingston, Ontario. Jackie was able to combine the lessons she learned as an athlete into her teachings as a coach, which instilled a stellar work ethic within her two boys. Throughout this journey Jackie understood she could bring a unique perspective as a parent, former athlete & coach as she began coaching and guiding her youngest child, Aaliyah. Together they navigated through their rigorous journey which evidently lead to Aaliyah a decorated high school athlete, becoming a standout player on the Uconn women’s basketball team, and an Olympian.

As Jackie continues her career as a civil servant for the federal government she still gives back to the game as she supports parents of current student-athletes by sharing the many lessons she learned alongside her daughter Aaliyah.