Photo courtesy Bishop’s University
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Bishop’s Gaiters women’s soccer assistant coach Isidora Pekez has been selected as one of 18 participants in the 2024 U SPORTS Female Apprentice Coach Program. Funded by Sport Canada, this initiative aims to bolster female representation in coaching roles across Canadian universities by pairing recent graduates with experienced head coaches in various sports.
According to Bishop’s University’s (BU) website, since its inception in the 2020-2021 season, the program has sought to provide women with opportunities in coaching by equipping them with professional development tools and mentorship. “It gives opportunities for female coaches who are kind of new to this environment,” Pekez said in a recent interview. Participants are expected to engage in at least 20 per cent of their development activities through conferences and courses, fostering an environment of continued learning.
Pekez, originally from Edmonton, began her coaching journey just over a year ago in August 2023. Before transitioning into coaching, she spent four years playing in Kentucky before transferring to BU, where she played for a year. “My eyes were always set on playing pro, so I never knew that my passion for soccer could send me to coaching,” she said.
Her role in the program is seen as a significant step in her coaching journey, offering her the chance to connect with other female coaches, share ideas, and build valuable skills. “For me, the biggest thing is connecting with different people and different perspectives,” she said, adding that exposure to various coaching methods from across the country is beneficial.
In January, Pekez attended a major coaching conference in Anaheim, California, which allowed her to dive deeper into various coaching techniques and philosophies. These conferences, she said, are intensive learning experiences, providing invaluable exposure to new strategies and ideas in soccer coaching.

Pekez is currently involved in BU’s women’s soccer team pre-season, with matches lined up against Western, Queen’s, and Windsor. The team aims to prepare for the upcoming RSEQ (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) season. Playing teams from outside Quebec, Pekez explained, helps prepare the team by offering them the chance to face different competition styles, ensuring they are ready for the challenges ahead.
Reflecting on the broader scope of modern coaching, Pekez highlighted the emphasis on equipping players with life skills beyond the sport. “When they leave university, they have the right tools, good lessons that they can take into the future,” she noted, stressing that sport plays a key role in personal development. She added that focusing on off-field factors that impact performance is a crucial area that wasn’t discussed much during her own development as an athlete but is now a core part of her coaching philosophy.
As part of the coaching staff at Bishop’s, Pekez is also involved in monitoring players’ performance with the help of innovative tools like the RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) system. This system allows coaches to better manage training loads based on feedback from players, helping to ensure that the team’s preparation is optimized for success.
Pekez remains focused on her development as a coach, recognizing that the U SPORTS program is a significant opportunity. Through networking, professional growth, and on-field experiences, she hopes to continue making strides in her coaching career, while helping shape the next generation of female soccer players.