Womxn in the Game: Beyond the Game. Presenting Jahlica Kirnon
Jahlica Kirnon’s journey in basketball has taken her from being shaped by the coaches and mentors who poured into her to now pouring into the next generation. Entering her second season as the Lead Assistant Coach with York University Women’s Varsity Basketball, Jahlica has continued to grow as a coach while also working with Team Ontario U15 and Kia Nurse Elite.
From playing multiple sports growing up to finding her passion in basketball, the game has given Jahlica lessons that extend far beyond the court. Through leadership, resilience, teamwork, and confidence, those experiences continue to shape the way she leads and the impact she hopes to have on the girls coming behind her.
Quick Profile
Name: Jahlica Kirnon
Role: Head Coach / Assistant Coach
Organization: York University WBB / Team Ontario U15 /Kia Nurse Elite
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Instagram: @ladyballerj
Her Journey
Jahlica grew up playing many sports—soccer, baseball, volleyball, and track & field—but her love for the game of basketball was real. Sports shaped her from a young age and taught her lessons she has been able to carry through life: buying into a culture, being present, the art of hard work, time management, resilience, leadership, and teamwork.
The Work
Through leadership, guidance, and confidence in her knowledge of the game and herself, Jahlica has experienced success on different levels. From winning her first OUA game as interim Head Coach to leading Team Ontario to a National Provincial Championship, she has experienced some big moments in her coaching journey. But she sees every practice, meeting, and team as another opportunity to grow.
In Her Words
“Your journey is your own, your starting point is what it is but get in there and be confident!”
For the Next Generation
Jahlica hopes to have a positive impact on the next generation of girls in sport. She encourages girls to be all in—have fun with it, be open to learning, accept and implement feedback, and most importantly, be confident.
Representation
Jahlica grew up with mentors and coaches who poured into her. Now, being able to work with girls who look like her feels full circle—and gives her the opportunity to pour that same belief into the next generation.
Beyond the Game Means
As a girl and woman who has reaped the benefits of the game, Jahlica is grateful and humbled to now have the opportunity to give back alongside like-minded people who continue to pour into her growth. These are opportunities she does not take lightly.
Full Q&A
Can you share your current role and how you first got involved?
I am currently the Lead Assistant Coach with the Women's Varsity Basketball Team at York University. I am currently entering my second season with the team. I got involved with the team after a great discussion with Coach Christa in the summer of 2025. I was in a position to find a new coaching home and I attended summer training sessions with the team and they were welcoming and I felt right at home.
Did you play sports growing up? How did that (or not) shape your path?
I played multiple sports growing up including soccer, baseball, volleyball, and track and field. Basketball was my main sport and my passion and love for the game was real. Sports shaped everything since I was young. I think mainly the lessons that sports has taught me around buying into a culture, being present, the art of hard work, time management, resilience, leadership, and teamwork amongst other life lessons. These life lessons are used on a daily basis both on and off the court.
What skills are most important in your role?
The leadership and guidance I bring towards the student-athletes. Confidence in my knowledge of the game and the confidence to use my voice. Teamwork skills amongst the team and coaching staff. Accountability is another skill.
What is a moment in your career that you are most proud of?
If I had to name specific moments it would be: winning an OUA game as interim Head Coach during the 2025-26 season. Winning a National Provincial Championship as a Head Coach this past summer and two as an Assistant Coach in summer 2024 and 2025. I am overall proud of most moments because each day presents something different, be it in coaches meetings, team meetings, etc... all moments are apart of my journey allowing me to grow and learn daily.
What has been one of your biggest challenges as a woman working in sports?
One of the biggest challenges as a woman working in sports is remaining authentic and confident. In various spaces having to prove your credibility. We know the game and we also know the importance and the impact women have in sport. Finding your consistent voice is important.
What does balance realistically look like for you in this season of life?
Balance in this season looks like embracing the season and keeping God at the forefront of everything I do. It is easy to just go through the day to day with tasks and such on a to do list, but remembering self is important as well. So for me that is staying connected to God and the word, finding time for family, the gym and some self care from time to time.
What impact do you hope to have on the next generation of girls in sport? One piece of advice you would give to young girls who want to be involved in sports (in any capacity).
I hope to have a positive impact on the next generation of girls in sport. I aim to provide life lessons that will prepare them for whats to come next in their young journeys. The game is a beautiful one and it is as good as we make it, so helping them prepare is imperative. For young girls who aspire to be in sport I'd say to be all in - have fun with it - be open to learning and be able to accept and implement feedback. Lastly, be confident. Everyone is different and everyones journey is different. Your journey is your own, your starting point is what it is but get in there and be confident!
What does representation mean to you?
Representation in sport means a lot because it matters as a female in sport to show what sport can do for you at a young age and throughout life both on and off the court. Sport has so many benefits and to be able to share that with young girls, girls that look like me is imperative. I had some great mentors, leaders and coaches growing up and being in this position now is full circle for me.
Outside of sport, who are you? (Hobbies, passions, fun facts, etc.)
Outside of sport I am a family oriented person. I enjoy spending time with family. I love music, enjoy long drives, binge watch tv series and I enjoy watching old school movies!
Being a woman in the game, beyond the game means...
It mean so much because I have reaped the benefits and have learned so much through being a girl/ a woman in the game. Now beyond the game I am grateful and humbled by the everyday opportunity to give back and to work with likeminded people that continue to pour into me and that I am able to learn from daily. With a heart of gratitude every moment that I am in this position matters and I do not take it lightly.
Closing:
Womxn Ball exists to show that there is space for you in sports — in every role, at every level.
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