NCCP TRAINING/CERTIFIED: Advanced Development Certified, Performance Trained
COACHING PHILOSOPHY: I believe in guided self-discovery. I think athletes need to be given (and shown) the tools to be successful and afforded enough opportunity to refine skills through a high volume of reps. I believe in positive team culture, love for the game and a tight adherence to team systems.
COACHING EXPERIENCE: 2013 - Current: Fanshawe MVB Head Coach, 11th season and 7 medals to date (Gold x3, Silver x2, Bronze x2). 4x OCAA Coach of the Year.
2013 - 2019: LVC 17U/18U Head Coach, five D1 T1 medals at VC Nationals in six years (Gold, Silver, Bronze x3)
2016 - 2019: Team Ontario Head Coach/Assistant Coach, Gold x3 at NTCC Nationals
2017 - 2018: Region 3 Selection Committee
2018: Team Canada Youth National Selects Program, Assistant Coach
SPECIALIZATION: From a tactical perspective, my favourite thing to train is team systems (offensive, defensive and serve receive) and building tight system adherence. From a technical perspective, my favourite thing to train is Middles! I find seeing a Middle go from being lost to being able to read, react and make effective blocking decisions extremely satisfying.
PERSONAL NOTES: When I’m not in the gym, I’m at home in OEV with my lovely wife Hayley and our two kids Collins (3.5) and Charlie (1.5). I teach in the School of Community Studies at Fanshawe College and love to golf, read and relax in cottage country.
Sebastian Lethbridge
AC
Sebastian Lethbridge
NCCP TRAINING/CERTIFIED: Development Certified
Steve Hales
AC
Steve Hales
NCCP#: 6510503
NCCP TRAINING/CERTIFIED: Development Trained
COACHING PHILOSOPHY: Volleyball for life!
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Coaching Experience
2024-Present Head Coach, London Volleyball Club
2018-2024 Assistant Coach, London Volleyball Club
2018-2019 Volunteer, Volleyball Canada Nationals
2004-2005 Varsity Statistician, University of Guelph
2001-2005 Assistant Intramural Coordinator, University of Guelph
2000-2001 Assistant Coach, Girls Volleyball, North Lambton Secondary School
1998-2001 Local Referee, Ontario Volleyball
SPECIALIZATION: Point-scoring skills (specifically serving with purpose and intentional shot-making) and observing opponent patterns are my favourite things to coach. I’m passionate about instilling the ‘Volleyball for Life’ mentality in athletes.
PERSONAL NOTES: Born to play Beach, forced to play / coach Indoor in Canada 😉.
Having lived in Australia for about six years, Beach Volleyball became my main sport. Nothing beats playing Beach on the Gold Coast and seeing a pod of whales pass by to watch! I’ve competed in competitive and / or recreational tournaments in Canada, the US (Michigan, New York and Hawaii), Australia and the Philippines – seeing a sport unite people, cultures and overcome language barriers is always very powerful.
My parents are proud founders of the Optimist Volleyball and Basketball programs in Forest (Lambton Shores), which have been running for 20 and 25 years respectively. They and our extended family assist with administrative or coaching duties when possible and have been fortunate enough to coach thousands of Lambton County youth over the years. The program generates high demand and has recently expanded from ages 12-14 to include ages 10-11.
Beyond volleyball, tennis and golf are my next two sports, followed by snowboarding / skiing, baseball and 5-pin bowling.