We're pleased to have an another all star roster of coaches for the 2023-24 season!
12U Girls
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Jen Riley
Head Coach Originally from Toronto, Jen was a multi-sport athlete in elementary and high school. Her decision to lean into volleyball came as she entered university and had the unique experience of walking on to the varsity team at Queen’s University without any previous club experience. She dedicated herself with extra training and practice to earn rookie of the year, most improved player and most valuable player awards during her four seasons where she graduated as team captain. She moved west in 2003 where a summer of beach volleyball at Kits turned into a decision to move here for good. She spent the next 15+ years playing tournaments on the BC pro tour with a couple of wins, but more than anything a passion for the sport and lifelong friends. During the day, Jen is a marketing executive and the founder of Torchlighter Project, a mentorship program for twenty something women. She lives in North Van with her daughter, husband and 2 step kids spending as much time as she can skiing in the winter and hacking around on the beach in the summer. She has long been an advocate for the sport sitting on the Board of Directors of Volleyball BC for 5 years and is looking forward to the opportunity to coach the next generation of girls starting out on their volleyball journeys. |
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Alyssa Barrie (also coaching 14U Girls)
Assistant Coach Alyssa started playing Club volleyball in grade 5 in Vernon, B.C. and has loved the game ever since. After setting for her high school team, she enrolled in UBC’s Human Kinetics & Rehabilitation Science programs. She continued to play volleyball in intramurals, adult leagues, and tournaments in Vancouver. Alyssa is an Occupational Therapist and works with children to enhance motor skill development and performance. She enjoys continuing her coaching work with youth athletics on the North Shore with BCO. Volleyball has brought fun, friends, and positive experiences to her life, so Alyssa enjoys sharing her passion for the sport with the BCO athletes. |
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Ian Young
Assistant Coach Ian grew up in Ontario playing every sport he could. In high school he started playing club volleyball and was all set to play at Brock University when the men’s program folded just before his first year. He quickly switched gears and walked on with the varsity swim team where he was lucky to find an amazing coach who changed his life athletically. While it all worked out for the best, it was tough to leave competitive volleyball behind! Ian and his wife moved to BC in 2008 and never looked back. They have one daughter and enjoy everything the west coast has to offer. Ian is excited to get back to this great sport, to learn from the experienced coaches and staff at BCO, and to chip in where he can to foster a positive introduction to club volleyball for our 12U girls. |
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Janna Young
Assistant Coach Janna grew up in Calgary, AB. She started playing volleyball in Grade 7 and immediately fell in love with the sport. She played volleyball year-round; on school teams, on the U of C club team and on the Alberta provincial team until she graduated from high school. Janna continued her volleyball career, playing on the UBC volleyball team from 1994-1999. Janna stayed in Vancouver after graduation and continued studies at UBC to become an Occupational Therapist. Janna now lives and works in North Van. When not working, Janna loves spending time with her family and enjoys swimming, biking, hiking and running. Janna is looking forward to coaching with BCO, sharing her love of volleyball with young athletes. |
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Barb Bellini
Assistant Coach Bio coming soon. |
13U Girls Black
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Kailee Deacon
Head Coach (Black team) Kailee grew up competing in the OVA league in Ontario, where she developed her love of volleyball early on. She has coached extensively at camps and schools for the past 18 years, and joined the BCO coaching staff last season as the 18U Assistant Coach. Kailee looks forward to supporting the young athletes this upcoming season in their skill development, and to help foster their own love of the game. |
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Nathan Overgaard
Assistant Coach (Black team) Nathan grew up playing several sports throughout his schooling. He has played volleyball with BCO since he was 13 years old, and is now coaching his former high school's volleyball team. He attended Queen's University for the past four years receiving an honours degree in biology, and is now excited to get involved with BCO in his first year coaching with the 13U team. Nathan has continued to keep in touch with volleyball by playing in intramural and adult leagues since graduating, and is looking forward to this next step in coaching. |
13U Girls Red
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Ben Nesbitt
Head Coach Bio coming soon. |
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Caren Rose
Assistant Coach Bio coming soon. |
14U Girls
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Alyssa Barrie (also coaching 12U Girls)
Co-Coach Alyssa started playing Club volleyball in grade 5 in Vernon, B.C. and has loved the game ever since. After setting for her high school team, she enrolled in UBC’s Human Kinetics & Rehabilitation Science programs. She continued to play volleyball in intramurals, adult leagues, and tournaments in Vancouver. Alyssa is an Occupational Therapist and works with children to enhance motor skill development and performance. She enjoys continuing her coaching work with youth athletics on the North Shore with BCO. Volleyball has brought fun, friends, and positive experiences to her life, so Alyssa enjoys sharing her passion for the sport with the BCO athletes. |
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Carmen Emslie
Co-Coach Carmen grew up in small-town, northern Alberta where she was fortunate to have a number of amazing volleyball coaches who guided her through successful school and club careers. Carmen spent most of her teenage summers playing for Team Alberta, and competed at the Canada Summer Games in 1997. Carmen went on to play for the University of Alberta Pandas from 1996-2001, winning four National Championships. After university, Carmen moved to Vancouver where she fell in love with beach volleyball and played for years until she and her husband started a family. Since then, Carmen has created a mini-volleyball program at her kids’ school, Braemar Elementary, and is loving the chance to give back through coaching. When she’s not in the gym, you can find her working with seniors in the community as a PT, playing with her three kids or hiking the north shore mountains. |
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Jenny Marineau
Co-Coach Jenny is a BCO alumni and former Canadian National team player. She played for Canada for over a decade competing in multiple international events. She was a leader on our National Team and also played numerous season professionally in Europe. Spending 2 years in Belgium and 6 years in France before deciding to settle down on the North Shore. We are delighted to have Jenny back on the bench with BCO this season. After a successful stint coaching the Brooksbank grade 6 team, Jenny is also coaching the grade 8 Sutherland team this school season. It is clearly the first step in a long and successful coaching career! We are lucky to have her as part of the BCO family! |
15U Girls
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Devlyn Lohnes
Head Coach Devlyn has been playing volleyball since he was 9. He played competitively throughout his teens as a setter initially, before moving to play as an outside hitter. His college did not offer a varsity program, so he settled for intramural leagues during the Winter and local competitive beach leagues during the warmer months. Devlyn has a wealth of experience competing and coaching at high levels in other sports, and his goal is to help athletes continue to develop their skills to become stronger on and off the court. This is Devlyn's third year as a head coach with BCO. He is looking forward to a great season with athletes who are hungry to learn and grow together as a team. |
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Janice Woodward
Assistant Coach Janice grew up in West Vancouver and went to Brentwood College on Vancouver Island for high school where she was the team captain her junior and senior years playing volleyball and tennis. She went on to play for the junior BC zone 5 team and on the Capilano University Blues team as a right-side hitter. Janice then went away to London, UK to complete her Masters in Design Studies at Central Saint Martins School while playing and coaching University level volleyball. Janice has three daughters…one is playing varsity volleyball in the USA Division 2 and one is just beginning high school volleyball so she is well seasoned with managing teenage girls. Janice was part of the U14 girls last year with Devlyn and is excited to be part of the U15 team as an assistant coach this year. |
16U Girls
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Cal Wohlford
Head Coach Cal is a very familiar face in the volleyball community and previously spent over 20 years coaching for BCO. He has over 30 years coaching experience, including:
He is also the founder of the well-known local volleyball clothing company, Nothing But Volleyball. |
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Markus Bratsberg
Assistant Coach Markus grew up playing Volleyball on the North Shore for BCO while attending Argyle Secondary School. Shortly after his club career, he began his post-secondary endeavours at Capilano University, where he won a National Championship with the team in 2020 as a libero. After post-secondary, Markus spent a year playing with the 2022 Canadian Beach National team in Ontario, where his knowledge of the game grew alongside some incredible experiences. Markus has been coaching for BCO as a Club Coach, Sunday League Coach, and Skills Clinic Coach for six years now. He enjoys giving back to the volleyball community through coaching just as much as playing. |
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Anika Gatto
Assistant Coach Anika grew up playing volleyball for the Coquitlam Ducks and Academy Volleyball as a libero. She played at the University of Toronto where she won 2 OUA Championships then transferred to Mohawk College in Ontario where she was recently named Female Athlete of the Year. Anika now plays for Capilano University on the North Shore. This summer she coached the LGCA senior girls and boys teams and helped them develop their skills and systematic knowledge of the game. Anika has been coaching BCO skills clinics, Sunday league, and beach camps for 5 years now and is happy that she's able to share her knowledge and experience with young athletes. |
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Vanesa Gatto
Assistant Coach Vanesa played her club career with Ducks volleyball and Academy volleyball as an outside hitter. In her transition to University volleyball, she switched to libero. She has been at Capilano University on the North Shore for 5 years now. In her time at Cap, Vanesa acquired 3 all-star awards, a team MVP award, and most notably Libero of the Year in the 2022 season. She has been coaching with BCO since 2019 whether it’s through club, skills clinics, beach camps or Sunday league. Over the summer she coached the LCGA boys’ and girls’ volleyball programs, and previously the York House senior girls’ program where she developed team skills and systems through her knowledge and experience. She looks forward to doing the same with 16U girls this season. |
17U Girls
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Shannon Hopkins
Head Coach Shannon has been coaching with BCO since 2018. She is a BCO and Queen's University varsity women's team alumni as an outside hitter. Shannon has a variety of experience coaching North Shore athletes. She has coached a range of club age groups, coached at North Vancouver’s Volleyball Canada Regional Excellence Program, and was an assistant coach with the women’s varsity team at Capilano University. Shannon loves to help young athletes strengthen and develop the foundational volleyball skills. |
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Christine Howlett
Assistant Coach Christine is originally from Tsawwassen and now resides in North Vancouver. She played as a middle for the Coquitlam Ducks throughout high school and then as a right-side for Simon Fraser University (SFU). She has been coaching indoor and beach programs with Volleyball BC for over 8 years and enjoys sharing her passion for sport with youth and adult participants. |
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Jess Young
Assistant Coach Jess grew up in East Vancouver and has coached high school and club volleyball since 2010. She is an alumni of both BCO and SFU where she played as an outside hitter. Jess coached BCO’s U14s in 2017 and 2018 before moving to Chicago for graduate school. She’s excited to be back in Vancouver and with BCO and is looking forward to helping with the U17's this year. |
18U Girls
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Maverick Hatch
Head Coach Beginning his 17th year coaching, Maverick is truly dedicated to the sport of Volleyball. During his indoor career he was named an All-Canadian in 2009 and accepted a CIS (USport) scholarship in 2010 before choosing to pursue beach volleyball full-time. He spent 7 years playing internationally for Team Canada, winning two Senior National Championships and one Continental Championship. What sets Mav apart is not only a deep-rooted love for coaching the sport, but also his unwavering passion for individual and team development at the youth level. This is highlighted through his commitment to guiding athletes towards post-secondary success. Beyond all else, his most significant achievement lies in fostering phenomenal team chemistry through a supportive and positive coaching style. Mav empowers athletes to be themselves, trust in their abilities, and believe in their potential to achieve their goals/dreams. We're thrilled to have him as our Technical Director and proud to have him back at the 18U level this season! |
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Frank Lee
Assistant Coach Frank grew up in Langley playing volleyball in the Fraser Valley and was fortunate to play a season with the Jr. Varsity Men’s program at UVic. Hired in the late 90’s by the North Vancouver school district as a music educator, he was "invited” to coach volleyball as an assistant to Mike Rockwell and Cal Wohlford. During his 23 years of coaching high school volleyball and 12 years coaching for BCO, he has enjoyed taking part in the journey student athletes take towards a deeper passion for the sport. After a 10 year break from coaching with BCO, he’s excited to return to the club that has created so many opportunities for youth. |
14U Boys
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Sherry Ann Walters
Head Coach Sherry-Ann grew up in Mission and played AAA volleyball. Sherry-Ann was named female athlete of the year twice and went on to play recreational volleyball until having children. Sherry-Ann returned to the court last year as a coach of the Grade 10 Sutherland girls volleyball team. Sherry-Ann led the team to playoffs for their first appearance in 4 years. This season Sherry-Ann took on coaching the Sr. Girls team at Sutherland where they have a winning record of 9-1 and are advancing onto playoffs and Zones; hoping to clinch a spot in this year's Provincials up in Dawson Creek. Sherry-Ann is very passionate about the game of volleyball and loves being back on the court. Sherry-Ann believes that hard work, communication, and dedication are what makes a strong team. |
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Troy Atkinson
Assistant Coach Troy grew up in Vernon BC, as a multisport athlete competing in Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Skiing, and Volleyball. After playing for the provincial team, Volleyball became his primary sport. With many post-secondary options, Troy decided to step away from Volleyball and focus on school as he attended UVic. However, he was quick to join in men’s and coed teams before starting his coaching career at Oak Bay Highschool. Over the past 4 years, Troy has been an assistant coach for the Oak Bay senior boys’ team as well as the senior level club teams in Victoria. Troy is very active, playing on multiple rec teams and skiing during the winter. He also has a strong passion for photography and travel having spent most of 2022 living abroad studying for his master’s degree. Troy recently completed his Masters in Global business and has moved to Vancouver to work for his family business as a part of their Global Procurement team. Now that he is settled into his new home in North Van, Troy is eager to continue his coaching career at BCO. |
15U Boys
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Vince Lok
Head Coach Vince grew up in East Van where he developed his competitive spirit, and currently works in North Van where he learned patience. His Senior Boys' school team, the Sutherland Sabres, are defending North Shore AA Champions and competed at the 2022 Provincials. He and the BCO 14U Boys won Tier 4 Gold at Nationals last season, and over the summer he coached a pair of BCO alumni to 1st Place and Runner-Up finishes in multiple beach tournaments. He loves to see hard-working players rewarded with improvement. Vince is most interested in working with athletes who are willing to hear and improve through feedback, confront challenges, and inspire their teammates to be better. If you are any of these, consider competing with Vince this season. |
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Kristian Littman
Assistant Coach Kristian grew up in Calgary and was a key part of City and provincial championship volleyball high school teams at Western Canada High School. He played several years of club volleyball for both the University of Calgary and Calgary Volleyball Club. He captained the Alberta provincial team in the 1990 Western Canada Summer Games. He played on both the men’s varsity volleyball and golf teams at UBC and later played for several years on the Vancouver XMen volleyball club team. He has travelled internationally as a player, having played with UBC in California, Finland, and Estonia. He was assistant coach to the Tier 4-winning BCO 14U Boys team last season. Kristian has a special interest in the setter position, having been a setter for most of his playing days. He sees the setter position as the quarterback of the team and he brings particular insight to the setter position. Kristian has extensive coaching experience outside of volleyball, having coached for several years with Lynn Valley Little League and North Vancouver Football Club. He believes in values coaching, teaching players how to be good players but more importantly, how to be supportive teammates and great people. He is excited to return once again to BCO! |
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Nolan Chu
Assistant Coach Born and raised on the North Shore, Nolan developed a love for athletics at a young age. He has played many sports, but volleyball became his favourite ever since he first started. Nolan played volleyball all throughout highschool and in grade 12, his school team the Sutherland Sabres, managed to make it to provincials. Also in grade 12, he was awarded athlete of the month, and senior volleyball player of the year. As for club volleyball, being forced to fill a role as a first time middle in his first year was a great learning experience for him. Over the years, Nolan has gained a serious appreciation for resilience, leadership, teamwork, and communication. These are some things he is looking forward to encouraging in young athletes. |
16U Boys
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Craig O'Dell
Head Coach Craig has grown up playing and coaching his entire life, representing his Volleyball Club and High School at multiple Provincial Championships in BC. He began coaching in his Grade 12 year, taking on Pacific Christian School's Bantam Boys and Girls Teams and has been coaching ever since 2012. He has coached at many different BC High Schools, gaining experience and wisdom from CCAA and USport Coaches. His love for Volleyball and Coaching led him to pursue a Degree in Sports Management, looking for more and more opportunities to build into the lives of youth. Craig currently works at Lions Gate Christian Academy, where he is the Athletic Director and Senior Boys Volleyball Coach. The young program (started in Fall 2022) has seen amazing growth so far (Top 10 in BCSS Rankings), having 6 rostered players win Gold at Nationals with BCO last season (congrats again Coach Lok)! Craig hopes to continue to build up Boys Volleyball on the North Shore, creating a culture of excellence and humility within his team. |
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Arvin Imbuido
Assistant Coach After moving to Canada from the Philippines at the age of 15, volleyball became an integral part of Arvin's life, sparking a passion that continued to flourish. Post high school, Arvin embarked on a coaching journey at a high school in Vancouver. He currently coaching at Lions Gate Christian Academy in North Vancouver. His coaching approach extends beyond teaching the technical aspects, aiming to instill a profound love for the game among aspiring athletes. Presently, Arvin works as a dental technician assistant, harmonizing his career with his unwavering love for the sport. He aspires to create an environment where volleyball not only nurtures skill but also fosters personal growth and a deep-seated affection for the game among budding players. |
