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Angus Ireland
Boys U17 Assistant Coach
Board Member
Read bio Boys U17 Assistant Coach
Angus Ireland
Board Member
Angus Ireland brings extensive playing and coaching experience at the provincial, collegiate, university, and club levels to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
His volleyball journey began as a Team BC provincial athlete in Grades 11 and 12, followed by post-secondary playing experience at Douglas College and the University of British Columbia.
Following his playing career, Angus transitioned into coaching, spending five seasons as an Assistant Coach at Douglas College before joining the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack coaching staff, where he is currently in his fifth season.
In addition to his university coaching experience, Angus has spent three seasons coaching U18 club volleyball in Kamloops and has contributed to various Team BC provincial team tryouts.
As Assistant Coach of the U17 Boys team, Angus brings valuable technical knowledge, competitive experience, and a strong understanding of athlete development.
Playing Experience
- Team BC | Provincial Team Athlete, Grades 11–12
- Douglas College | Collegiate Volleyball
- University of British Columbia (UBC) | University Volleyball
Coaching Experience
- Douglas College | Assistant Coach, 5 seasons
- Thompson Rivers University WolfPack | Assistant Coach, currently in 5th season
- U18 Club Volleyball, Kamloops | 3 seasons
- Team BC | Assisted with provincial team tryouts
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Ashley Lowndes
Girls U14 Head Coach
Read bio Girls U14 Head Coach
Ashley Lowndes
Ashley Lowndes brings over 25 years of volleyball coaching experience at the high school, club, provincial, and university levels.
A former U SPORTS volleyball athlete, Ashley has dedicated her career to developing young athletes and contributing to the growth of volleyball in British Columbia.
She has coached with Volleyball BC's High-Performance Program for nearly two decades, including Team BC programs at the Canada Cup, Western Canada Summer Games, and Canada Summer Games. Ashley also served as an Assistant Coach with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Women's Volleyball team.
Beyond coaching, Ashley is a certified Advanced High Performance Coach, a Level 4 National Volleyball Official, and an experienced athletic administrator.
Playing Experience
- University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) | CIS Volleyball Athlete, 2003–2005
- CIS AUS Championship | All-Star, 2005
- BC High School Provincial Championships | All-Star, 2000 and 2001
Coaching Experience
- Volleyball BC High-Performance Program | Head Coach, 2006–2025
- TRU WolfPack Women's Volleyball | Assistant Coach, 2006–2009
- Kamloops Club Volleyball | Head Coach, 2005–2024
- High School Volleyball | Coach since 1999
- Volleyball Canada | Coaching Certification Evaluator
Certifications & Education
- Master's Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration
- Certified Advanced High Performance Coach (NCCP)
- Level 4 National Volleyball Official
- Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts
Ashley is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience while helping the next generation of athletes develop their skills, confidence, and love for volleyball.
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Drew Venables
Boys U15 Head Coach
Board Member
Read bio Boys U15 Head Coach
Drew Venables
Board Member
With 20 years of competitive volleyball coaching experience, Drew Venables brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
Throughout his career, Drew has worked with athletes at all levels, from beginners discovering the sport to university-level competitors. His coaching philosophy emphasizes strong fundamentals, creativity, teamwork, and disciplined practice.
Drew believes that volleyball is a lifelong learning sport and finds his greatest satisfaction in watching athletes grow, develop confidence, and achieve their potential.
Coaching Philosophy
Drew's approach to coaching is built on three core principles:
- Hard work is fun.
- Playing for your teammates is rewarding.
- Volleyball is a lifelong learning sport.
He is committed to creating a positive, competitive environment where athletes are encouraged to challenge themselves, support their teammates, and continuously improve.
Playing Experience
- University College of the Cariboo | 1 year, All-Canadian
- University of Manitoba | 4 years, Second Team All-Canadian
- Professional Volleyball, Denmark | 1 year, Danish Championship Winner
Coaching Experience
- Team BC | Coach, 5 years
- College Volleyball | Assistant Coach, 6 years
- Thompson Rivers University WolfPack | Assistant Coach, 5 years
A Message from Drew
"I'm excited to build on the success this age group had last year, and I look forward to sharing my passion for the game with this year's team."
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Hail Ward
Girls U13 Head Coach
Read bio Girls U13 Head Coach
Hail Ward
Hail Ward brings valuable playing experience at the club, provincial, international, and university levels to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
Having grown up playing competitive volleyball in Kamloops and Kelowna, Hail was involved in the Team BC provincial program from 2019 to 2023, serving as team captain in both 2022 and 2023.
In the summer of 2025, Hail gained international playing experience in Shanghai, China, further developing his knowledge and understanding of the game.
Currently competing as an opposite hitter for Thompson Rivers University WolfPack, Hail brings a high-performance athlete's perspective and a passion for giving back to the local volleyball community.
Playing Experience
- Club Volleyball | Kamloops and Kelowna
- Team BC | Provincial Program, 2019–2023
- Team BC Captain | 2022 and 2023
- International Volleyball | Shanghai, China, 2025
- Thompson Rivers University WolfPack | Current Opposite Hitter
A Message from Hail
"I'm looking forward to this opportunity to give back to a community that developed me as an athlete. I'm excited to share my experiences and passion for volleyball with the next generation of Kamloops volleyball players."
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Heidi Huttunen-Hennelly
Girls U13 & U16 Assistant Coach
Read bio Girls U13 & U16 Assistant Coach
Heidi Huttunen-Hennelly
Heidi brings extensive experience in youth volleyball development, with a strong background in club, high school, and elementary school coaching.
Over the past three years, Heidi has served as a Head Coach for U13, U14, and U15 club volleyball teams, helping young athletes develop strong fundamentals, teamwork, and competitive skills.
She has also spent three years coaching at South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS), leading Grade 8, Grade 9, and Junior volleyball teams. Her coaching experience extends to elementary school volleyball, supporting athletes as they begin their volleyball journey.
Heidi's coaching accomplishments include leading one of the top-ranked club teams in the Okanagan, achieving strong results at the provincial and national levels.
Coaching Experience
- Club Volleyball | Head Coach, 3 years (U13, U14, U15)
- South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) | Head Coach, 3 years (Grade 8, Grade 9, Junior)
- Elementary School Volleyball | Youth Development Coach
Coaching Achievements
- Coached the top-ranked club team in the Okanagan in the previous season.
- Achieved 5th- and 9th-place finishes at Division 1 Provincial Championships.
- Guided a U15 team to a top 10% finish nationally at the Canadian National Championships.
Coaching Approach
Heidi is dedicated to developing young athletes through strong fundamentals, consistent training, and competitive opportunities. Her experience across multiple age groups allows her to support athletes as they build confidence, improve their skills, and progress through different stages of volleyball development.
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Iuliia Pakhomenko
Girls U15 Head Coach
Manager of Operations
Read bio Girls U15 Head Coach
Iuliia Pakhomenko
Manager of Operations
Iuliia Pakhomenko brings extensive international playing experience, high-performance coaching knowledge, and a strong passion for athlete development to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
A former Ukrainian National Team athlete, Thompson Rivers University WolfPack standout, and Canada West Hall of Fame inductee, Iuliia has competed at the highest levels of volleyball and understands the dedication, discipline, and resilience required to succeed.
As the Founder and Head Coach of Ulavolley Academy in Kamloops, Iuliia is dedicated to developing the next generation of volleyball athletes through individualized training, strong technical fundamentals, and a high-performance mindset. Her academy focuses on building confidence, consistency, discipline, and a deeper understanding of the game.
Iuliia has also coached at the university and provincial levels, bringing her international playing experience into athlete development. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes repetition, accountability, hard work, and challenging athletes to step outside their comfort zones.
Playing Experience & Achievements
- Ukrainian National Volleyball Team | Former National Team Athlete
- TRU WolfPack Women's Volleyball | Former U SPORTS Student-Athlete
- Canada West Hall of Fame | Inductee
- International Volleyball | High-Performance Playing Experience
Coaching Experience
- Ulavolley Academy | Founder & Head Coach
- TRU WolfPack Women's Volleyball | Former Assistant Coach
- Team BC U18 Girls | Coach, Canada Cup 2026
- Youth Volleyball Development | Individual, small-group, and competitive training
Certifications & Education
- FIVB Level 1 | Certified Volleyball Coach
- NCCP Advanced Development | Coaching Education
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Coaching Philosophy
"I believe success is built through discipline, consistency, and hard work. There are no shortcuts to becoming a better athlete. Every repetition matters, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow. My goal is to help athletes push beyond their comfort zones, develop confidence, and reach their full potential both on and off the court."
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Josh Bardelosa
Boys U17 Head Coach
Read bio Boys U17 Head Coach
Josh Bardelosa
Josh Bardelosa brings a combination of competitive volleyball experience, coaching knowledge, and a passion for athlete development to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
Through his involvement with TRU WolfPack volleyball, youth club teams, and Ulavolley Academy, Josh has gained experience working with athletes at different stages of their development.
His coaching background includes working with U18 and Grade 8 teams, as well as delivering volleyball camps and seasonal training programs through Ulavolley Academy.
Beyond coaching, Josh has developed three volleyball statistics applications, demonstrating his interest in performance analysis, technology, and understanding the game from a different perspective.
As Head Coach of the U17 Boys team, Josh is committed to helping athletes strengthen their fundamentals, improve their game awareness, and develop the confidence and discipline needed to compete at a higher level.
Volleyball & Coaching Experience
- TRU WolfPack | Training experience
- U18 Club Volleyball | 1 season coaching
- Grade 8 Volleyball | 1 season coaching
- Ulavolley Academy | 1 year coaching camps and seasonal programs
Additional Achievements
- Developed three volleyball statistics applications to support performance tracking and game analysis.
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Matt Lofgren
Boys U14 Head Coach
Read bio Boys U14 Head Coach
Matt Lofgren
Matt was born and raised in Kamloops, BC, where he played volleyball and graduated from Sahali Secondary. He continued his playing career at the collegiate level in Alberta, finishing at Red Deer College, where he helped his team capture back-to-back provincial and national championships. Matt brings many years of coaching experience with Team BC and local club programs, including helping lead the u18 KVA Boys team to a third-place finish at Nationals in 2023. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the TRU WolfPack Men’s Volleyball program and is passionate about developing the next generation of volleyball athletes in his hometown.
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Megan Ireland
Girls U18 Assistant Coach
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Pat Hennelly
Boys U13 Assistant Coach
President and Board Member
Read bio Boys U13 Assistant Coach
Pat Hennelly
President and Board Member
Pat Hennelly brings over 30 years of volleyball coaching experience at the university, provincial, and national levels. As the Head Coach of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Men's Volleyball program since 2005, Pat has established himself as one of Canada's respected university volleyball coaches.
His coaching background includes the University of British Columbia, Northern Arizona University (NCAA Division I), Team BC, and Canada's Senior Men's National Team.
Pat led the WolfPack to a U SPORTS National Bronze Medal in 2008 and was named both the Canada West and U SPORTS Coach of the Year in 2024.
Passionate about high-performance volleyball and athlete development, Pat is committed to building a culture of excellence, accountability, and hard work while preparing young athletes to succeed at the next level.
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Reece Wilson
Girls U16 Head Coach
Read bio Girls U16 Head Coach
Reece Wilson
Reece Wilson brings extensive playing and coaching experience at the collegiate, university, provincial, and national levels to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
After competing for two seasons at the College of the Rockies and four seasons at the University of the Fraser Valley, Reece transitioned into coaching, developing athletes at both the club and university levels.
Reece currently serves as Lead Assistant Coach with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack and has been involved with Team Canada's U21 program as an Assistant Coach. Reece also represented Team BC as an Assistant Coach at the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
As Head Coach of the Junior Cascades U15, U16, and U17 teams, Reece achieved two Provincial Championship gold medals and a National Championship bronze medal.
Playing Experience
- College of the Rockies | 2 seasons
- University of the Fraser Valley | 4 seasons
Coaching Experience
- Team Canada U21 | Assistant Coach
- TRU WolfPack | Lead Assistant Coach, 2025–Present
- Team BC | Assistant Coach, 2025 Canada Summer Games
- University of the Fraser Valley | Assistant Coach, 2024–2025
- Junior Cascades U15–U17 | Head Coach
Coaching Achievements
- 2 Provincial Championship Gold Medals
- 1 National Championship Bronze Medal
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Rob Gowe
Girls U18 Head Coach
Director
Read bio Girls U18 Head Coach
Rob Gowe
Director
Rob Gowe brings over 20 years of volleyball coaching experience across university, provincial, club, and high school programs. His coaching background includes Simon Fraser University, Capilano University, Thompson Rivers University WolfPack, and multiple Team BC provincial programs.
Rob has extensive experience developing athletes at all levels, from grassroots volleyball to high-performance competition. Most recently, he guided a Kamloops Volleyball Association girls' team to a 2026 BC provincial championship.
Passionate about athlete development, Rob emphasizes strong fundamentals, discipline, teamwork, and creating an environment where athletes are challenged to reach their full potential.
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Scott Venables
Boys U15 Assistant Coach
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Tyson Koop
Boys U13 Head Coach
Read bio Boys U13 Head Coach
Tyson Koop
Tyson Koop brings a strong background in competitive volleyball, university athletics, and youth development to Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club.
Originally from Steinbach, Manitoba, Tyson began his volleyball journey at age 12, inspired by his mother, a former Canadian Olympic volleyball player who competed at the 1996 Olympic Games.
A former Thompson Rivers University WolfPack athlete, Tyson recently completed his U SPORTS playing career and currently serves as an Assistant Coach and Social Media Creator with the TRU WolfPack Men's Volleyball program.
Tyson has four years of experience coaching middle and high school athletes through the Vancouver Volleyball League and PCVC. His coaching philosophy focuses on building strong fundamentals, creating a competitive training environment, and helping young athletes develop a lifelong passion for volleyball.
As Head Coach of the U13 Boys team, Tyson is excited to introduce young athletes to high-performance training while fostering teamwork, discipline, and a love for the game.
Playing Experience & Achievements
- TRU WolfPack Men's Volleyball | Former U SPORTS Athlete
- Provincial Championships | U13 & U14 Gold Medalist
- National Championships | Silver & Bronze Medalist
- U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian | 6-time Recipient
Coaching Experience
- TRU WolfPack Men's Volleyball | Assistant Coach
- Vancouver Volleyball League & PCVC | Youth Volleyball Coach, 4 years
- Tumbleweeds Volleyball Club | U13 Boys Head Coach
Education
- Thompson Rivers University | Master of Science, In Progress
Coaching Philosophy
"My goal is to help young athletes build rock-solid fundamentals, develop a competitive mindset, and, most importantly, discover a lifelong love for volleyball."