COACHES | First Step

Meet Our Coaches

The experienced, passionate coaching staff that makes FirstStep Basketball the premier development program.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Jermaine Lyle

Entrepreneur, Financial Advisor, and Founder of First Step Elite, Jermaine combines his expertise in financial planning with a passion for developing the next generation of basketball talent. His mission is to create opportunities, inspire confidence, and make a lasting impact throughout the Waterloo Region community.

Founder of First Step Elite • Financial Advisor • Former Algoma University Thunderbirds standout

Key Achievements

Founder of First Step Elite, mentoring hundreds of athletes since 2020
Financial Advisor with Jeff Lyle Insurance Group through Co-operators for 6+ years
Helped athletes earn scholarship opportunities across Canada & the United States
Mentored Will Riley, 2025 NBA First-Round Draft Pick (Washington Wizards)
Former Team Ontario representative, OBL Champion & OFSAA competitor
Collegiate standout at Algoma University Thunderbirds

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Ethan Passley

Former Wilfrid Laurier University standout and elite player development coach, Ethan brings years of high-level playing experience and a passion for developing complete athletes through skill development, basketball IQ, and attention to detail.

Former Wilfrid Laurier University point guard • Elite Skills Development Coach

Key Achievements

Co-Founder & Head of Skills & Training at First Step Elite
Leads player development curriculum and coaching staff
Wilfrid Laurier University Rookie of the Year
Top 10 all-time at Laurier in points, assists, steals & minutes played
Recorded 200+ career assists and multiple 20+ point performances
Dedicated to building confident, disciplined, and fundamentally sound athletes

Two Brothers. One Mission.

Building Athletes. Building Leaders. Building Futures.

First Step Elite was founded by two brothers who grew up on the courts of Kitchener-Waterloo with a simple belief: every young athlete deserves mentorship that goes beyond the game.
What started as weekly training sessions in 2020 has grown into a comprehensive player development program serving hundreds of athletes. Today, First Step Elite has become one of Ontario’s most competitive and highly regarded rep and AAU basketball programs, developing athletes through elite training, mentorship, and a commitment to long-term growth.
Since its beginning, First Step Elite has helped athletes reach new levels, including local basketball standout Will Riley, who trained within the FSE program from its inception in 2020. Will continued his development through Division I basketball at the University of Illinois before being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and beginning his professional career with the Washington Wizards.
At First Step Elite, we believe basketball is more than a sport—it is a vehicle to build confidence, discipline, resilience, and leadership. Our coaching philosophy is built on three pillars: fundamentals, mindset, and basketball IQ.
We create an environment where athletes are challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential—both on and off the court.