Planning for the 2023/24 season is now underway and we’re accepting applications for assistant and head coaches to lead our competitive teams. We offer teams from 11U-18U and seek applications from previous volleyball (or other sport) athletes, teachers, or those with experience mentoring and leading youth. Submit your application by June 1, 2023.
Coach compensation: Annual honorarium based on volleyball coaching experience, reimbursement of tournament travel and certification costs, and club clothing.
High-Performance Training for the Elite Athlete
Our coaching team has a well-deserved reputation of excellence in providing smart, sensible, and comprehensive skill development to some of the best volleyball players in Ontario.
We believe in building positive relationships and each athlete is valued greatly and treated with dignity and respect. Each benefits from the depth and breadth of our expertise. Above all we encourage and foster a fun, safe and energetic environment in which our players learn and grow not only as volleyball players but also as individuals.
Our coaches participate in the National Coaching Certification Program and are encouraged to seek full certification and additional learning. To assist with further learning, DRVC has facilitated Development Coach clinics (up to 16U) and Advanced Coach Development clinics (17U-18U) while working with the Region 4 Officials Chair to assist in the recruitment and certification of OVA referees.
Coaching Staff
Patrick Atkinson
Patrick brings over two decades of volleyball experience as both an athlete, coach, and club executive. Before migrating to Canada Patrick played in Jamaica at the National, Club and University levels. As a setter, Patrick captained his Venus Volleyball Club to a national title and later transitioned to the club’s executive as Vice President. During his time at VVC Patrick worked primarily with the senior men’s team and as a setter skills development trainer while mentoring under several of Jamaica’s national level coaches including Owen Leslie, Dave Jack and Orthnel Findlay. Patrick played in Canada with the Sheridan Bruins and believes in building solid foundations during practice sessions that translate to being match-ready.
Ted Biglow
Ted is a former varsity athlete who played for the University of Western Ontario men’s team in the late 80s. Ted’s calm, encouraging, and positive presence have benefited many of our athletes over the years. Ted has been coaching with Rebels since 2018
Jason Buera
Jason is a former varsity athlete who played all 4 years of high school volleyball. He has passion a for fundamentals and coaching grassroots volleyball skills. Jason’s attention to detail along with his supportive and positive attitude will prove to be beneficial to athletes starting their volleyball journey. Some of our younger athletes may recognize Jason as one of the lead coaches from this summer’s volleyball camp.
Sandra Burian
Sandra is a former Rebels athlete who has been coaching alongside Steve Graham for many years. After having Steve as her head coach for two years, Sandra’s passion for coaching was ignited and she went under his mentorship as an assistant coach following her club career. During her club years, Sandra was a setter but her versatility as an outside and right side hitter was an asset to her club team. She is a great mentor for younger athletes who is now a primary/junior teacher with the DDSB
Peter Campbell
Peter has coached boys’ and girls’ high school volleyball teams and a variety of other sports for over 35
years. As an athlete, Peter played as a left/right side hitter and back court specialist with the York University Men’s Volleyball winning two OUA Championships. Peter was a volleyball course instructor at the University of Toronto in the Physical and Health Education Department and the head coach of the Centennial College’s Women’s Volleyball Program (2001-2003). He is a NCCP Level 2 technical certified coach in volleyball and a Level 1 coach in rugby and basketball. As a department head of boys’ physical and health education for 8 years, Peter was a recipient of the
Colin Hood OFSAA School Sport Award and the OFSAA Leadership in School Sport Award (Girls’ AAAA
Volleyball). Peter believes that the combination of hard work, dedication and having fun can teach
student athletes how to compete and be successful both on and off the court.
He retired from full-time teaching with the TDSB and works occasionally as a supply teacher.
Shane Christopher
Shane has close to 25 years of club and OCAA coaching experience and we’re so grateful he decided to bring his expertise to our club back in 2020. Prior to his most recent role as Head Coach of the Seneca Sting women’s volleyball team, Shane spent 10 years with the Durham College women’s team where he earned OCAA Coach of the Year honours in 2013 as Head Coach. As an Assistant Coach with the Lords, Shane mentored under the great and legendary Stan Marchut. Athletes joining Shane’s team can be assured they will be taught strong fundamental skills while learning the important values of being part of a team.
Karlene Cooper
Coach Karlene is a former club athlete who started playing as a middle blocker before transitioning to left-side and right-side hitter. During her club years she played in two Regional Summer Games, participated in the OVA Beach circuit, played 1 year with Team Ontario and was invited to participate in the Team Canada Development Camp. Karlene started her post-secondary volleyball career at Vancouver Island University winning a gold medal at Provincials and a silver at Nationals. Karlene returned to the Durham area to play with the Lords from 2004-2007 under the guidance of coaches by Stan Marchut and Shane Christopher where was was team captain in her final 2 years. Coach Karlene has been a part of the Durham Lords Volleyball camps and Fun in Athletics programs in the past but now currently owns/operates a construction company with her husband. Karlene joined our club in 2022 where she was a part of the Empire coaching staff.
Megan Davies
Coming soon
Laura Duncan
This 6’2″ Right Side hitter is a former Rebels athlete who went on to play post-secondary volleyball with the University of Guelph Gryphons. As a Rebel, Laura was a member of the 2011, 2012 National Championship team that reigned the volleyball circuit for many years.
Emily Dyment
Emily is a former Rebels athlete who recently returned from Garner-Webb University in North Carolina where she played on a lacrosse scholarship. While at Garner-Webb, Emily was inducted into the Alpha Chi Society which is a National College Honor’s Society for student’s in the top 5% of their class. Emily is a CanFit Pro Certified Personal Trainer Specialist who recently completed her degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Emily is a high school teacher with the DDSB.
Monica Dyment
We are excited to have Monica Dyment return as our Mental Conditioning coach. Monica holds extensive training in sport psychology and sports nutrition and will hold monthly in-class sessions with our senior girls (15U and older) team with topics such as nutrition, mental preparedness, athlete self-care, and more. She is a great motivator who has a caring, but no excuses, attitude and has been a great asset to our teams in the past.
Rob Dyment
Rob has decades of volleyball coaching experience including OCAA experience as an assistant coach with Seneca Sting. Rob has coached our girls’ teams from 12U right through to 18U. He might be familiar to our DDSB elementary families as the DEAA Character Athletes Award bears his name and is awarded annually to a student who exemplifies character, a passion for sport, and outstanding sportsmanship. Rob brings great fun and intensity to the game and his contagious enthusiasm goes unmatched.
Ashley Forgie
Ashley is a former Rebels athlete who graduated from the University of Ottawa before pursuing a post-graduate degree in Public Relations. Ashley started playing at 12U and was a member of the 14U Provincial and National Championship team and our 17U D2 National Championship team. As a junior athlete, Ashley played on her school’s senior girls team where she was the starting setter helping her team to 3 LOSSA championship titles along with two trips to OFSAA. In her senior club years, Ashley doubled as a Libero and continues to play the game in various adult leagues.
Genesis Gem Doctolero
Gem currently plays as MB/RS with the George Brown Huskies where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the collaborative nursing program with TMU.
Steve Graham
Steve is a former basketball and volleyball player who was a setter for the Antigua and Barbuda National Men’s Volleyball team and captained the Under 19 Men’s team before expanding his roles to include right side and outside hitters. Steve remained with the National team for over a decade and shared his volleyball knowledge as head coach and founder of the local men’s and women’s high school volleyball teams and assistant coach to the Antigua and Barbuda Female National Team. Steve is a FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) certified Level 1 coach and referee and Certified Development Coach. Athlete’s love Steve’s calm and knowledgeable approach and his authentic love of the sport and helping younger players excel. Steve also runs a private training program, Dadli Training, that is well subscribed to by senior and post-secondary volleyball athletes.
Scott Handley
Scott has spent over 30 years in volleyball and is a certified Advanced Development Coach with Performance Coach technical certification. He has been coaching club volleyball in the area since 2005 and was our technical director in 2020/21 season. Scott has coaches out west with the University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge and was the Technical Director for BC Volleyball Association.
Elicia Hannah
This Michigan-born athlete played high school volleyball with Dune Club Volleyball Club in Indiana and continued on to play two years of NCAA volleyball and one year of NAIA. Elicia is a multi-sport athlete who also played softball in high school and at the collegiate level. Elicia became a teacher who had the good fortune to stay home with her children for 9 years before becoming the children’s director in a Durham church. The Hannah family has been with the DRVC family since 2016 and Elicia is excited to share her love of volleyball and technical strengths with our athletes.
Greg Hannah
Families in our Learn to Play Volleyball program will recognize Greg as one of the Friday night program coaches for at our Whitby location. He is an educator with the DDSB who has coached elementary school volleyball for the past 20 years. Coach Greg played volleyball throughout elementary and high school before pursuing baseball at the collegiate level in the United States. He looks forward to helping our youngest boys develop their athleticism and volleyball skills to become more competitive as the season progresses.
Ashley Hart
Ashley started playing club volleyball at 13U and has played middle blocker and right side. Throughout her club career Ashley’s team amassed a wealth of medals but it was the 2012 D1 17U Girls National and Provincial championships titles that stand out the most for Ashley. Her post-secondary volleyball career with Nippissing University was cut short due a family health scare that had Ashley returning to the Durham area to be closer to home. Ashley has coached locally for a number of years and back in 2016 crossed paths with Fury head coach, Michael Hayes. When Mike took over the reins he knew he wanted Ashley by his side to help mentor his female athletes. Ashley has coached 12U-16U and looks forward to mentoring our senior girls.
Michael Hayes
Coach Mike is a former varsity volleyball athlete from Memorial University where he was selected as first team conference All Star and team MPV. After completing his post-secondary playing career, Mike traded his court shoes for a clip board and continued to coach for his alma mater where, at the ripe age of 22 years old, he became the Head Coach of Memorial University’s men program where he remained for 7 years. Under Mike’s guidance the team achieved its best season record and earned four conference final appearances over seven years. Mike was also selected to coach Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s 16U Girls team followed by the 15U Boys team the next year. Mike only left his role to pursue an alternate career in Ontario with his family. He is a certified Advanced Development Coach and with Level 3 technical certification. Mike has been involved on the periphery of grass roots volleyball development in the Durham region for the last 5 years and enjoys teaching the game of volleyball, at any level, to any willing learner and can help an athlete program from early development right through to post-secondary and beyond.
Natasha Jakovljevic (McMann)
Natasha played for the Durham Lord women’s volleyball team from 2009-2014. This 6′ middle earned many accolades during her high school and post-secondary years. Natasha joined our club in 2022 where she was part of the Empire coaching staff. Natasha has two young children and works as a nurse.
Sudheer Joshi
Coming soon
Lucia Kalmeyer
Lucia is a former Durham Rebels athlete who went on to play middle blocker with Grand Rapids College and Durham College. This 6’1 athlete won two National Championship titles in her final years with DRVC and went on to earn multiple Regional and Conference titles with her GRC Raiders team. Lucia was an assistant coach with the Team Ontario Regional program where her 14U girls’ team won the gold medal in the Regional Cup.
Brandon Khan
Brandon has been coaching with Durham Rebels since 2008 coaching all age groups right up to 18U. He has coached with the DDSB for over 20 years at the elementary level and run our Learn to Play Volleyball program and lead coach at our summer camps.
Paul Koot
Coach Koot is that coach who leaves a positive, lifelong impact on players. If you’re ever at S.A. Cawker Public school, the name above the gym doors, ‘Koot Lane’, speaks volumes about the respect and admiration this retired DDSB physical education teacher has earned from his colleagues and young athletes. Coach Paul is one of the founders of Durham Rebels Volleyball Club and an advanced development coach. Players who want to excel at the sport choose to play for Paul because they know his technical instruction and game knowledge will give them the tools to become the best volleyball player possible. This season, you will find many of his 2020 and 2021 graduates playing post-secondary volleyball in both Canada and the United States. During his years as an elementary school coach, coach Paul’s volleyball teams earned 27 DEAA championship titles and earned the reputation as ‘the ones to beat’. Coach Paul has coached both Ontario Provincial Champions and National Silver medalist teams and is a four-time recipient of the George MacFarlane Sportsmanship Award. Paul is the Program Director of our summer volleyball camp and Learn to Play Volleyball programs.
Vanessa Koot
Vanessa is another Durham Rebels alumna, having played with the club for several years. She fell in love with the game at a young age while following her dad to tournaments when she was just a toddler. Vanessa took a hiatus from the sport to pursue her education, but found herself back helping with the club after graduation. Since then, Vanessa has travelled around the world, but always finds herself back in the gym coaching with the Club. Vanessa recently obtained her social service worker and mental health and addictions dual diploma.
Brooke Laing
Brooke played club volleyball for 8 years before transitioning to coaching Winning multiple provincial championships in this time as the captain of her club team, Brooke brings a great amount of volleyball knowledge to her position as an assistant coach. She is a certified personal trainer and is excited to bring her vast knowledge of physical literacy to young players, as well as her love for the game. Brooke’s goal is to develop young players into top performers and help them achieve their goals on and off the court.
Lisa Langley
Lisa has been coaching and teaching in Durham elementary schools for 20 years. She is an in-training development coach and has been coaching with our club since 2014. Lisa is a lifelong volleyball player and enthusiast and looks forward to helping each player build her confidence, understanding of the game, and appreciating the value she brings to her team.
Cassandra Leblanc
Cassandra is an elementary teacher with the TCDSB and has successfully coached numerous students of various ages and skill levels in volleyball, basketball, flag football, soccer, cross country, and track and field. Cassandra is very active in her school board in all aspects of sports, but her love and passion is for the sport of volleyball. She is the Master Convener for the TCDSB and is responsible for organizing volleyball for over 160 schools on a Divisional, Regional, and City level. Cassandra has grown up playing volleyball in elementary and high school and continues to play in both women’s and co-ed leagues. Cassandra has been coaching with our club since 2017 and was part of the coaching staff leading our 12U girls Crush team to their 12U Provincial Championship in 2019.
Jody Logan
Jody Logan has been a teacher with the Durham District School Board for over 20 years teaching full-time physical education for the majority of those years. Coach Jody started out coaching girls volleyball at Sherwood P.S. where he successfully coached his Intermediate Girls’ team to 3-straight DEAA championships and a Provincial Cup championship. Jody continued this success when he moved to Scott Central PS where he coached the boys team to 3-straight DEAA championships. In 2019 Jody moved to Blair Ridge PS where his Intermediate boys finished the season as the DEAA runners-up and his Junior boys won the DEAA championship title. Athletes training with coach Jody can expect high-intensity practices and quality skill development matched with passion for the game and focus on team building.
Chris Manning
Coach Chris has been around the volleyball world for many years as both a school and club coach. As a physical education teacher he is well-versed in physical literacy for young athletes and works to ensure all players have lots of fun while learning.
François Marfo
François grew up playing club volleyball and is a former York Lions Men’s Volleyball athlete where he played as a Libero and Defensive Specialist. Following his playing career he was looking for ways to stay involved in the game and took the opportunity to coach with Scarborough Synergy where he coached the 16U and 17U girls age groups. More recently he coached with the Seneca Men’s Volleyball team as an assistant coach and has coached with the Team Ontario program for the last 4 years. François has a passion for helping athletes develop a love for the game and grow as individuals. He is a teacher with the Toronto District School Board and looks forward to bringing his knowledge and enthusiasm to the Durham Rebels Volleyball Club.
Cory McBride
Coming soon
Lauren McGuire
Lauren is a former Rebels athlete who recently graduated from Ryerson University’s Professional Communication program. During her time at Ryerson she worked on both the varsity and recreational side of Athletics. Lauren was also involved in the programming of volleyball intramurals while being an active participant! She is one of three former McLaughlin CVI Trojans joining us this season and part of its girls volleyball dynasty from 2014-2017 where she also received graduating female athlete of the year. As an outside hitter, Lauren helped in leading her team to 3 LOSSA championship titles along with two trips to OFSAA. Lauren loves all things sports and plans a career in the sport industry. She continues spending her free time playing the game in various adult leagues.
Devon Morris
Devon played multiple varsity sports in his youth, but volleyball was his first love. As a club player, Devon captained his Scarborough Titans team during his OVA career as a setter and right-side hitter. Devon was thrilled when his daughter chose to take up the sport and his love for the game was re-ignited as he was able to to share his skills and knowledge with Sydney throughout her club and post-secondary playing career. Devon has been actively engaged in expanding his coaching knowledge and experience taking part in multiple learning opportunities while mentoring under Rebels coach, Steve Graham. Devon assisted the 12U Falcons last year and is ready to take the lead as a head coach this season. He is passionate about building solid fundamentals and ensuring a positive development for young athletes
Sydney Morris
Sydney began playing volleyball in 15U, where she started as a Middle Blocker then transitioned to a RS/OH in 17U. Throughout her club career her most memorable moment was becoming a 2019 18U National Championship alongside her graduating teammates. Sydney then went on to continue her education in the United States, where she earned a full scholarship as an NCAA D1 volleyball athlete at Maryland Easter Shore (UMES). While at UMES, Sydney was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi which is a national academic society for students in the top 10% of their class. Sydney spent her summer months coaching young girls in the school’s summer volleyball camps that attracted quality athletes from around the state. Sydney recently completed her degree in Exercise Science and has aspirations of becoming a Physical Therapist.
Tess Newey
Tess grew up playing club volleyball with the Ganaraska Wolves and finished off her 18U year with the Northumberland Breakers. Tess’s post-secondary volleyball career started with two years at Canadore College, followed two years with the Brock University Badgers, and her fifth and final year with Durham College. Tess’s coaching experience includes the Clarington Grizzlies (15U & 18U teams) as well what might be the highlight of her coaching career (thus far) when she had the honour to be an assistant coach with Kourtney Cyr and Matt Issacs for the 2016 Summer Games team. In 2018, Tess was chosen to take part in the Women in Sport Apprenticeship Program at Durham College, where she was mentored by Head Coach Tony Clarke. From 2015-2019 Tess coached both the girls and boys volleyball teams at Courtice Intermediate School.
Phil Ovsenek
Coming soon
Sankavy (Sanka) Premakumar
Coming soon
Abbigail Prins
Abbigail is former Rebels athlete whose post-secondary career includes playing with the Nipissing Lakers before having it cut short with a career-ending concussion. Abbi has been coaching with our Club for several years in both our recreational and competitive team programs and is excited to instill her knowledge and love of the game in young athletes.
Mackenzie Prins
After wrapping up three seasons as an assistant coach under the tenure of Paul Koot, Mackenzie took the reins in 2021 as a head coach with our senior teams. Mack is a former Durham Rebels athlete playing with us from 13U right through to 18U then continuing on to Humber College where, as a 6’0 outside hitter, she had the opportunity to play in two National championship tournaments with the powerhouse Hawks team. Mackenzie was also a member of the Team Ontario Beach program. Upon returning to the Durham area Mackenzie assisted at our summer camps then transitioned into our competitive and grass roots programming.
Scott Prins
Scott is a Certified Development Coach and an Advanced Development Coach in training. He has been a part of the Durham Rebels volleyball family for many years starting out as a volleyball dad when both of his daughters, Mackenzie and Abbigail, played for the club with each going on to play volleyball at the post-secondary level. Scott has been a Durham Rebels coach since 2011 with coaching experience from 13U through 16U.
Carlos Reyes
Carlos is a certified development coach who started his coaching career as an Assistant with the Fleming College Knights women’s volleyball program. During his time with the Knights, Carlos assisted both the men’s and women’s teams where he brought strong technical and tactical experience to each program while helping players build confidence, technical skill, and game knowledge. Carlos began assisting the Trent University Excalibur men’s team while coaching Club volleyball with the Peterborough Thunder (PVC) and its 17U and 18U girls teams consecutively. Under Carlos’ tenure each of the Thunder teams significantly improved their year-end ranking and provincial results. During his time with PVC Carlos also acted as a fill-in coach for the 16U and 17U boys teams where each team also achieved their best-ever results in OVA competition. In 2019 Carlos was a Coach Leader at Camp Madawaska where leaders focused on helping athletes build camaraderie, confidence, and skill development. Carlos continues with the Madawaska coaching staff each summer and was also fortunate enough to be part of the Team Ontario Academy Coach program.
Scott Senft
Scott has been an elementary school teacher for over 25 years and teaching who has run a successful school volleyball program for almost as long. Scott is a Certified Development Coach and a Trained Advanced Development Coach. He has been coaching with our club since 2017 club and in 2019 he led our 12U Crush team to the Ontario Provincial Championship Division 1 title after completing an undefeated season in 12U competitions.
Jerry Small
Coach Jerry is a FIVB certified coach whose most recent experience has been with the Chinese Canadian Volleyball Association since 2019. Jerry hails from Jamaica where he was Assistant Coach and Beach Manager to the Jamaica National team and coached at the University of the West Indies. As a player, coach Jerry captained the MOSA Volleyball Club for 10 years and was a member of the University of the West Indies Beach and Indoor team. Coach Jerry has always remained very close to the game and looks forward to helping younger athletes ignite their love of the game.
Deb Stevenson
Coach Deb is a retired high school teacher with the DDSB teaching physical education and science. She coached volleyball at the high school level for 30 years and over 10 years at the club level; her past 8 years with Durham Rebels. Coach Deb coached the 15U Provincial gold medalists and the 14U National gold medalists. She is a certified development coach, trained advanced development coach, and certified fitness instructor.
Geoff Thompson
Coach Geoff is a high school teacher with the Durham District School Board who also coaches basketball in his extra time. Geoff is a certified development coach who has been coaching with our club since 2017. Geoff focuses on fundamental skill development and athletic confidence leading to positive outcomes both on and off the court.
Kari-Lea Wiche
Coming soon.