VICTORIA, B.C. – For the first time in Canada's history the Under 16 Canadian women's national team won gold at the FIBA Americas tournament hosted Jun. 24-28 in Puebla, Mexico. University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball head coach Dani Sinclair was with the team as an assistant coach as the Canadian girls beat Brazil 72-71 in overtime.
 
"It was a pretty exciting experience as this is Canada's first time ever winning gold (for any Canadian women's age-group team at the FIBA Americas tournament)," exclaimed Sinclair who was in Toronto with the team for a training camp throughout June before heading to Mexico for the tournament. "It was my first time really working with this age group and it was such a great opportunity to work with such amazing athletes as well as a really good coaching and support team."
 
Canada's gold-medal win was led by a number of players. Alyssa Jerome was key down the stretch, making free throws and grabbing rebounds. Jerome finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Hailey Brown scored 14 points with nine rebounds while Roxane Makolo poured in 12 points with five rebounds and three assists. Brazil's Izabela Leite was the game's leading scorer, dropping 32 points with seven rebounds, five assists and zero turnovers while playing all 45 minutes. For full box score, shot chart and play-by-play, click here.
 
"I think of how much pride and passion there is in playing for Canada and it was incredible to see how much support we received from across the country throughout the tournament," reflected Sinclair. "The event was also really well organized and the gyms were packed for every game. It was a great environment to play in. We could hardly hear each other because it was so loud."
 
This isn't Sinclair's first stop on the international scene. In 2011 the former CIS national champion was an assistant coach with Canada's senior basketball team at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
 
"So many of us (on the support team) are CIS coaches, which was really great and we worked really well together," said Sinclair who worked with several familiar faces including head coach Carly Clarke, also head coach at Ryerson, performance analyst Michele Hynes, also a coach with the Manitoba Bisons, and team manager Megan Pinske, who will be coaching with the Saskatchewan Huskies this year.
 
With the win the Canadian U16 team will qualify for the FIBA World Championship in 2016. Sinclair will likely have a shot at supporting the program up until and throughout that event to continue her own coaching development.
 
"This coaching experience is really valuable," added Sinclair. "As coaches we had exposure to the best players in the country and it was a great chance to see and learn from other coaches. International experience allows us to see so many different styles from other countries."
 
Sinclair will now utilize her learnings from this international trip and prepare for the upcoming 2015-16 Canada West basketball season with the Vikes which begins Nov. 6-7 with a road trip to Trinity Western, while the team's first home games will be Nov. 13-14 in CARSA's new performance gym.