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CLUB COACHES

2021-2022 SEASON

Keith Wasylik

The man at the head of the technical decisions for the Girls Programs and Prep Development Programs is Keith Wasylik. Keith has had many successes as a volleyball player, including being a national champion while playing at the university level as well as earning a spot on the Canadian National Team. Additionally, Keith's coaching experience is matched by few. As a Level 3 NCCP certified coach, Keith has assisted with national team programs and has worked as the technical director of the OVA. Keith is also a Level 4 certified referee. He is really looking forward to working with the exceptional athletes in our 17U "Rise" program!"

Alain Arseneau

Alain brings a wealth of experience to the Phoenix club as we develop our boys programs in the upcoming years. Coach Arseneau will be the Technical Director – Boys Programs. Coach Arseneau holds a Master's Degree in Coaching Education from Ohio University. He is an 21-year teacher who has coached at the international, national, university, college, club and high school levels. Coach Arseneau has completed working on the level 3 indoor Performance coach. As an athlete he has competed at the University level in indoor volleyball, nationally on the Canadian Professional Beach volleyball tour, and internationally on the FIVB world tour stage. Alain currently teaches at St. Michael's College. Alain has 3 children and his wife Angela is an experienced coach as well and supports Alain with the club endevours!
We are fortunate to have such a high caliber and inspiring coach join the Phoenix coaching staff for the 2021-2022 indoor season!

Tori Cowley

Phoenix Legacy Head Coach

Coach Tori played club volleyball with Peel Selects, Team Ontario Beach and Varsity volleyball at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has competed for Canada on the International Beach volleyball stage for years including: at the U21 World Championships, FIVB world tour events, NORCECA tour and FISU World University Games. In 2015 she was a Canadian National beach volleyball Champion. Coach Tori is also a Naturopathic Doctor which is beneficial for her team athletes! She has coached with Phoenix for 9 years on the beach and indoor and has worked with a wide array of athletes and age groups. Fun fact - this past October Coach Tori was part of Canada’s first ever 4 on 4 beach volleyball team to bring home a bronze medal from Qatar at the ANOC World Beach Games!

Julie Gordon
Phoenix Legacy Assistant Coach

Coach Julie has coached for Phoenix in the past and we could not be happier to have this talented coach back with us for the upcoming season! Julie is not only a highly skilled athlete but a great mentor coach.
Coach Julie is a current Team Ontario Beach player and was a former Varsity volleyball player at Wilfrid Laurier University. In fact, Julie and Tori played at Laurier at the same time!
Julie has competed for Canada on the International Beach volleyball stage for years and she will continue her beach volleyball pursuit this upcoming year.

Keith Wasylik

Phoenix Rise Head Coach

The man at the head of all technical decisions is Keith Wasylik. Keith has had many successes as a volleyball player, including being a national champion while playing at the university level as well as earning a spot on the Canadian National Team. Additionally, Keith's coaching experience is matched by few. As a Level 3 NCCP certified coach,Keith has assisted with national team programs and has worked as the technical director of the OVA. This April Keith was one of 9 elite coaches presenting for the OVA Development webinar series He is really looking forward to working with the exceptional athletes in our 17U "Rise" program!"

Christine Lamey
Phoenix Rise Assistant Coach

We are pleased to have Christine Lamey continue with the Phoenix coaching staff for her third year. Christine brings a wealth of experience with her as she is the current Assistant coach for the Ryerson ladies team. Christine coached at several different clubs in the past years, as well as was the head coach for Conestoga College.
Christine played at the University of Ottawa.
Christine welcomes a new addition Kyrie this past year and we love to have him around at some tournaments!

Jessy Khalife

Phoenix Rise Co-Coach
We welcome back Coach Jessy Khalife who also took a year off of coaching! Jessy attended U of T and was always active with many sports, including volleyball. Jessy has assisted in coaching several teams including 16U thru to girls team.

Jessy is also a fulltime school teacher and she brings the most positive energy and support to young athletes. Welcome back!

Hailey Wort
Phoenix Blaze Head Coach
Hailey continues to be a part of the Phoenix coaching staff in her 6th year of coaching bringing a wealth of knowledge after coaching a few indoor teams in the past as well as having coached the regional team at Ontario Summer Games and at Madawaska. Hailey is a former Phoenix athlete who has played volleyball for multiple years as a left side and libero as well as won multiple provincial and national medals. It’s obvious in her coaching that she loves the sport and instills this love in each and every athlete she coaches. Her athletes always leave practice and tournaments wishing it weren't over and wanting more. Hailey will continue to coach one of the the Phoenix 17U teams this year.

Vishnu Persaud

Phoenix Blaze Assistant Coach
Vishnu joins the Phoenix coaching staff bringing with him over 15 years of coaching experience. He is an NCCP level 3 in training coach who follows the model set forth by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) using double goal coaching to teach life lessons through sport. Using their techniques, he encourages and motivates his athletes to perform their best. Vishnu most recently coached this summer with the regional beach program winning a gold and silver medal at the Ontario Summer Games.

Adam Simac

Phoenix Heat Head Coach
The Phoenix club is proud to announce that Adam Simac will be returning to the Phoenix coaching staff for the 2020-2021 season! Adam brings a wealth of experience to the Phoenix club as a former indoor National player with Team Canada (2008 to 2016) and played over 120 matches including two world championships (2010, 2014), Pan-Am Games in 2015 (Bronze medal) and qualification for Rio 2016 Olympics. Adam was also a professional international volleyball player and played in 6 different countries over 9 seasons.

Adam has been involved with both men's and women's volleyball programs at Ryerson since 2016 in a number of different roles including interim head coach of the men, and strength and conditioning for both teams. Adam also was an assistant coach with the U21 Canadian Junior National Team from 2017-2020 and coached in two world championships (2017, 2019).

He is currently pursuing his performance coach certification.

Alex Tsiofas
Phoenix Heat Assistant Coach
We are pleased to welcome back Alex Tsiofas to our coaching staff. Alex attended Queens Biology program and played on their varsity team for the past 4 years. Now that Alex has moved back to Toronto to continue her studies, she has been able to return to indoor coaching. We feel honoured to have an experienced libero join the Heat team coaching staff!

Alex has also been a Head coach for our high performance beach athletes in the summers.

Kassandra Tohm
Phoenix Fire Head Coach

We welcome back Kassadra Tohm to our coaching roster for the 3rd year! Kassandra was a four year starter at New Mexico State University, and her senior season she won Player of the Year in her entire conference, first team all conference and she was named to the AVCA MidWest all star team. Kassandra graduated with a degree in education with a focus in physical education and a double minor in history and counselling. All four years Kassandra also coached at their local club. The first two years she was an assistant coach and the last two she was a head coach for a 15U then 16U girls team. The 16U team won state and competed in Nationals finishing in the top 50. Kassandra also has her CPR training and is AED certified.

Rian Lenarduzzi
Phoenix Fire Assistant Coach

Vishnu Persaud

Phoenix Flash Head Coach
Vishnu joins the Phoenix coaching staff bringing with him 17 years of coaching experience. He is an NCCP level 3 in training coach who follows the model set forth by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) using double goal coaching to teach life lessons through sport. Using their techniques, he encourages and motivates his athletes to perform their best. Vishnu most recently coached this summer with the regional beach program winning a gold and silver medal at the Ontario Summer Games.

Dominik Bauer

Phoenix Flash Assistant Coach
Dominik is welcomed back to the Phoenix coaching staff. This is his 5th year coaching at the Phoenix both indoor and beach. Having assisted on a 14U and 16U team last year, Dominik will assist with the 15U team this coming year while playing for his second year at the Men’s Centennial College Varsity Volleyball team. On top of his coaching, Dominik brings a lot of infectious energy and positive attitude to every practice and tournaments that makes all the athletes he coaches enjoy the sport.”

Sarah Ross
Phoenix Flash Assistant Coach

Sarah attended Acadia University, completing a degree in Environmental Sustainability, and Sociology. During her time there she also completed honours thesis in Gender Inequality in Sport. Sarah played on the varsity volleyball team for 5 years, receiving AUS all star recognition and Usport All Rookie Team recognition. Sarah has been with us for 3 years and has helped out both on the court and on the beach for Phoenix. She is currently working in Toronto in HR

Tien Le

Phoenix Inferno Co-Coach

Tien is trained NCCP level 2 coach. He is currently working with Ryerson’s Men’s team as an assistant coach. Tien has experience coaching both boys and girls teams with Phoenix Volleyball Club (13U, 15U) and Ottawa Fusion Volleyball Club (16U). As a player, he was part of a team that earned a bronze medal at OFSAA with (Glebe ‘08), regional team training center (16U), and played competitively with the Ottawa Kangaroos (‘07 provincial and national champions). Tien practiced with the Men’s varsity team while completing a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services at Algonquin College. After college, he received a Honours Bachelor in Human Kinetics degree from the University of Ottawa. Shortly after, he moved to Toronto to study massage therapy at Sutherland-Chan and has been practicing as an RMT since 2018. He continues to stay involved in the sport through coaching, athlete strength and conditioning, and playing in a special 4 on 4 tournament annually in Ottawa.

Matt Golas
Phoenix Inferno Assistant Coach

Matt is returning to Phoenix for a 3^rd year of coaching, previously working on the boys side at the 13U, 14U, and 15U level. Matt is a Queen’s Mens Volleyball alumni where he earned his degree in Physical and Health Education. Matt was also a part of Team Ontario Beach for 4 years and spent one summer training with the beach national development team. Matt currently works as a strength and conditioning coach just north of Toronto. Matt’s coaching style caters to developing the whole athlete and focuses on finding the leader in everybody.

Charley Schiedel
Phoenix Inferno Assistant Coach
Photo and bio coming soon!

Steve Turner

Phoenix Talons Head Coach

Steve is an Athletic Administrator, Educator and athlete with 20+ years of experience within the Ontario school system. He is currently the Athletic Director at Royal St. Georges College and for the previous 10 years was the Athletic Director at TFS – Canada’s International School. Steve is also the Vice-Chair of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association and sits as a member of the Executive team overseeing the effective management and delivery of athletic programming throughout the Province of Ontario. With a Masters degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration he is an advocate for the development of both recreational and competitive sport programming within the school system and the community. An NCCP level 3 Technical certified coach, Steve believes in the importance of a positive learning environment and an active lifestyle to enhance character development and self-confidence through sport.

Dan Dearing

Phoenix Talons Head Coach

This is the 2nd season with Phoenix for Dan, and he is a seasoned volleyball player and has 10 years of coaching experience. I coach.

Dan has played for the York University Lions and went on to become a National beach athletes with great success. Dan has been a full time coach for several years and is well known for his mentorship skills as well as being a techncial coach.

Dani Farrugia
Phoenix Talons Assistant Coach

Coach Dani has always been involved in many different sports including volleyball, ultimate frisbee, soccer and equestrian -she even has her own horse!

Over the past 4 years, she has put her focus on volleyball, training in the sand with multiple coaches such as our own Dan Dearing. She also started Vixens Volleyball in the summer of 2021, bringing multiple, sold-out, competitive tournament weekends, fundraising for Team Canada, and running indoor beach 4s leagues and is currently working closely with Canadian Beach Volleyball Olympian Sam Schachter in getting his volleyball Academy off the ground.

Dani is excited to start her coaching career by bringing positive energy and support to the 14U Talons this season!

Alison Cooper

Phoenix Sparks Head Coach

Alison is a naturally gifted coach & teacher who has spent the last 15 years working with kids through her volunteer commitments, professional coaching, teaching PE and entrepreneurial ventures. She is the founder of Fitgirls, a program designed to teach young girls nutrition, healthy body image and the life long value of physical activity. Alison recently returned to Toronto after 3 years in Denver where she coached several club and middle school volleyball teams. Her focus with her athletes is instilling a love for the sport, creating a safe environment for learning and helping each person achieve their potential. Alison and her husband have 3 kids age 18, 16 and 13.

David Kiswa

Kassandra Tohm
Phoenix Embers Head Coach
We welcome back Kassadra Tohm to our coaching roster for the 2nd year! Kassandra was a four year starter at New Mexico State University, and her senior season she won Player of the Year in her entire conference, first team all conference and she was named to the AVCA MidWest all star team. Kassandra graduated with a degree in education with a focus in physical education and a double minor in history and counselling. All four years Kassandra also coached at their local club. The first two years she was an assistant coach and the last two she was a head coach for a 15U then 16U girls team. The 16U team won state and competed in Nationals finishing in the top 50. Kassandra also has her CPR training and is AED certified.

Ruby Amara
Phoenix Embers Assistant Coach

Ruby Amara started off playing volleyball at Phoenix with Kassandra Tohm and can’t wait to start her first year coaching alongside her! She is beyond excited to be a new role model for her fellow young athletes.

Vishnu Persaud

Kassandra Tohm

12U Girls Head Coach

Mia Olear
12U Girls Assistant Coach

Ivan Reka

Phoenix Voltage Head Coach

We welcome Ivan back for another year with the boys team. Ivan played 4 years on the CCAA playing for Limoilou college where he was a national finalist and a 1st team all-Canadian. He continued his indoor career in Sherbrooke university for a year before committing to beach full-time. On the beach side, he is a one time u23 national champion and five time provincial champion. He is currently a member of the beach national team. Ivan has coached 15U indoor before and beach 17U. He was also an assistant coach for the Quebec beach provincial team. Ivan has his level 1 coaching certification. He is looking forward for additional coaching experience with Phoenix.

Tristian Reid
Phoenix Voltage Asst Coach
In his eleven years of experience as a sports management and leadership professional, and entrepreneur, Tristian joined the Phoenix club to develop world-class athletes, world-class scholars, and world-class citizens. Coach Reid will be assistant coaching the U13 and U16 - Boys programs for the 2020-21 season. Previously, he was the assistant coach for the U14 and U18 girl's program for the Premier Volleyball Club for the 2016-17 season. Coach Reid use to train with the Guelph Men's Volleyball Team as a practice player and during the summer season, he's training down at Woodbine Beach (Ashbridge Bay) in beach volleyball and competing to push his skill set to the next level.

Coach Reid holds a Master's Degree in Sports Management and Leadership from the University of Western Ontario. He learned how sport has the power to change the world and how important it is to be an effective leader. One way to do this is by establishing a close, positive and lasting impact on our diverse community, and honestly, this is why he wanted to be a leader for the Phoenix club. He enjoys collaborating and dreaming up bigger and better ways to achieve the athlete's and organization's long-term development efforts and being someone the organization can go to for support and advice. He thinks it’s important that the Phoenix community sees a leader that looks like them, so they can respect the Phoenix club as a diverse and inclusionary leader.

Lucas Italiano

Phoenix Flare Head Coach

Lucas played four years of volleyball for St. Michael's College School in Toronto winning OFSAA AAAA gold medal both as a player and as an assistant coach. Lucas also played beach volleyball in his high school years.. After high school, Lucas took an NCAA baseball scholarship to DePauw University in Indiana. While on scholarship he was 2^nd team All Conference, All Conference Tournament, MVP, and Captain during his four years of varsity baseball. After graduation he lived and worked in Prague, Czech Republic for 15 months before moving back to Toronto where he currently works full-time as a Transformation & Strategy Analyst at Northbridge Financial.

Aaron Espiritu
Phoenix Flare Assistant Coach

Alain Arseneau
Phoenix Skybirds Head coach

David Kiswa
Phoenix Kryptonite Assistant Coach

Tristian Reid

Phoenix Kryptonite Head Coach

In his eleven years of experience as a sports management and leadership professional, and entrepreneur, Tristian joined the Phoenix club to develop world-class athletes, world-class scholars, and world-class citizens. Coach Reid will be assistant coaching the U13 and U16 - Boys programs for the 2020-21 season. Previously, he was the assistant coach for the U14 and U18 girl's program for the Premier Volleyball Club for the 2016-17 season. Coach Reid use to train with the Guelph Men's Volleyball Team as a practice player and during the summer season, he's training down at Woodbine Beach (Ashbridge Bay) in beach volleyball and competing to push his skill set to the next level.

Coach Reid holds a Master's Degree in Sports Management and Leadership from the University of Western Ontario. He learned how sport has the power to change the world and how important it is to be an effective leader. One way to do this is by establishing a close, positive and lasting impact on our diverse community, and honestly, this is why he wanted to be a leader for the Phoenix club. He enjoys collaborating and dreaming up bigger and better ways to achieve the athlete's and organization's long-term development efforts and being someone the organization can go to for support and advice. He thinks it’s important that the Phoenix community sees a leader that looks like them, so they can respect the Phoenix club as a diverse and inclusionary leader.

Ivan Reka

Phoenix Voltage Head Coach