CBU HOOPS HEAD COACH MATT JOINS CAPERS ACADEMY PROJECT
CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Skinn has been appointed the CAPERS Boys Academy Mental Performance Coach for Season 2025.
Matt, who has a Masters of Science in Sports Psychology, will begin his key work with the Cape Breton FC players in March after the culmination of the Varsity hoops campaign.
As part of the newly designed and professionalised Tier One program provision within the Academy, Matt will deliver four key topic monthly sessions to the U13s, U15s and U17s Boys squads.
Mental Performance is a vital area of Player Development and CBFC believes Matt can be a crucial mentor for our young players.
Coach Skinn said: “I am excited to be a part of the CAPERS Academy project.
“After speaking in depth with Iain King about the direction of the club, I feel that I can be a positive contributor to the overall message and professionalism that they are looking to present to their athletes.
“It should be a fun experience for both sides, as we venture towards getting youth athletes to be critical thinkers.
“The outcomes we will seek together are geared towards them being mentally equipped for training sessions and to be at their best on match day."
With all six CAPERS Academy Boys and Girls teams at U13s, U15s and U17s now aimed at Tier One soccer in Season 2025 the new-look programs include three field sessions a week, Mental Performance work, Strength and Conditioning and in-depth video analysis for both teams and individual players.
The young CAPERS now have an outstanding 22 Provincial players involved in the Team Nova Scotia programs which is an excellent number for a rural club.
Regional Director of Soccer Development Iain King stressed: “We are thrilled that Matt has agreed to come on board to help the Boys Academy as he is an expert in his field and one of the top emerging coaches in his sport.
“We feel strongly that on top of the technical development on the field and the physical progress in the gym we must look to the nurturing of the mindset and coping mechanisms of our young athletes.
“We are so fortunate to be based on the CBU campus with a culture of excellence all around us.
“Our job must always be to ensure that every young soccer player on Cape Breton island has the same if not better opportunities to succeed and grow than their counterparts in the HRM.
“There is no reason we can’t work together to provide them with that. We have top-class facilities and a true Championship culture on our doorstep with the CBU CAPERS Varsity athletics brand.”
MR MOTIVATOR...our picture shows CBU Capers Basketball Men's Head Coach Matt connecting with his athletes on match day.
