Founder and Technical Director - John Child
John is a 3-time Olympian and Bronze Medalist in Beach Volleyball. In addition to playing 15 years of professional beach volleyball, John has played many years of indoor volleyball too. John has coached for many years at various levels from aspiring Olympians to young beginners, including being the head coach of the Havergal College Volleyball program and their 5 teams.
John was head coach of the Leaside 18U team last year and won the Ontario Tier 1 Championships in the team's first season together.
Dana Cooke (18U)
Dana joined Leaside for the 2011-2012 season and is looking forward to helping athletes attain their potential. She has been playing volleyball competitively for over 20 years and coaching for over 13. From Varsity level men's programs, European Elite youth teams to Ontario Club teams she has a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for the game. In 2007 she founded Toronto Element Volleyball Club and coaching the 17U Girls team, won the Ontario Provincial Championship in that year. Most recently she was the Technical Director for DRVC helping many of their teams with skill development.
Melvin Lowe (17U - Red)
Melvin is excited to be coaching with Leaside again this season. He started his coaching career with boys and girls volleyball at Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute, where he has developed and led the volleyball program to 7 city championships in just 5 years. In addition he has spent the last 5 years coaching at the OVA club level. He has led these various teams to numerous medals at the Tier One level. In the past year, Melvin has worked with the ADP (Athlete Development Program) with the OVA that identifies and trains the top level athletes of their various age groups. He was an Assistant Coach with the Region 5 program when they won a Gold medal at the Ontario Summer Games held in Sudbury during the summer of 2010.
David Chambers (17U White)
Dave is a former varsity player at York University and setter for the Scarborough Solars VC. As the head of Phys. Ed. at the RH. King Academy, he brings a wealth of coaching experience to the club.
Angela Frawley (16U)
Angela joins the Leaside Volleyball Club with much enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming season. After playing competitive volleyball for many years, for OVA club teams and the University of Guelph, she joins Leaside as a well rounded player and knowledgeable coach. Angela also won an OUA Gold Medal playing for York University where she was team captain and MVP, and won an OUA All-star. Angela also received the "Woman of Influence" award from the OUA.
We are very lucky and excited to have Angela join us this year!
Chris Lopez - Assistant (15U)
This will be Chris' 3rd year coaching at LVC. He is an NCCP Level 1 volleyball coach and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with experience working with athletes at all levels. This year Chris will assist Head Coach Nichol while he assumes the role of Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Volleyball Canada's Centre of Excellence in Toronto. Chris has also coached with the National Beach Volleyball Program and with Team Ontario.
Paul Husson - Head Coach (15U boys - Red)
Paul is returning to coach the 14U boys team after their inaugural season in 2010-2011. Paul played university volleyball for 5 seasons at the University of Western Ontario where he was an Ontario all-star and team captain. He went on to play 10 years of beach volleyball on the Canadian Pro Tour representing Canada at two NORCECA events and was instrumental in the formation of the Beach Volleyball Players Association where he served as president for three years. Paul has coached 14U and 16U boys and is looking forward to the upcoming season.
Alain Arseneau - Coach (15U boys - Black)
Alain started playing volleyball in his backyard when he was 6 years old. Growing up he had many battles against his younger brother Marc. After high school he attend Laurentian University where he was a three-time All-Star. What makes his All Star Awards even more impressive is the fact Alain is considered undersized to play Middle and Left Side in the OUA. At 6’2” he had to outwork many of his opponents by using his skill and quickness. After Laurentian, Alain attend teacher’s college at the University of Toronto. During that year he was an assistant coach to Orest Stanko where they won an OUA Gold Medal. From there Alain’s coaching career was launched. After 7 OFSAA appearances St. Michael’s won their first OFSAA Gold with Alain as their Head Coach. Leaside is happy to have with us this year!
Josh Nichol - Head Coach (15U girls)
Josh Nichol is the Head Coach of the Men’s Volleyball Team at George Brown College and Assistant at York University. Josh also coaches at Upper Canada College and Tops Volleyball Academy. Before coaching at GBC, UCC, York and Tops he coached with OVA clubs teams Huron Tsunami, DRVC and Interclub. At the school level he has coached Bishop Strachan School and F.E. Madill. A big believer in beach training Josh currently coaches at the Child & Heese Beach Club and has coached at Elite Beach Volleyball Club and Solstice Sport. Josh is currently a Certified Level 2 coach in both Indoor and Beach and working towards his Level 3 Certification. Josh is excited to be a part of Leaside VC.
Bob Armstrong (14U)
Bob has been playing volleyball for the past 20 years. He has played on a number of court and beach teams, both men's and co-ed. In addition to volleyball, he has coached and taught various sports over the past 20 years and looks forward to the opportunity to coach for the Leaside Volleyball Club.
Adam Billedeau (14U)
Adam's bio coming soon.
Christian Redmann - Assistant (14U)
Christian is currently playing on the FIVB international World Beach Volleyball Tour, in hopes to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games for Canada. He is one-half of our top beach volleyball team in the country. Christian has coached youth volleyball for 6 years, and also coaches the Havergal school teams.
Colette Holfeld (13U)
Colette is joining Leaside Volleyball this year as a coach of the new U13 girls team. Colette is very excited and passionate about volleyball and grew up playing the sport in Western Canada. She played competitively for a number of years with the University of Calgary Dino's club team, participated in the Alberta Summer Games and represented the province of Alberta on the Provincial team. She brings ethusiasim for the sport that she hopes to pass on to many young girls new to volleyball.
Caley Venn (13U)
Caley is currently playing on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Volleyball Team, and was a 2006 to 2009 OUA All-Star. She was a three year member of Team Ontario Indoor Provincial Team as a middle blocker. She won the first ever Gold Medal for Team Ontario at the 2005 Canada Games. She won a silver medal at the 20U Beach Nationals in 2006. Caley has her BA from U of T, MA from York, BEd from U of T and will begin teaching French Immersion for the tdsb in September.