Sandy is the Head Coach of the 15U Synergy Girls Team, and the TLS Explosion Girls Team.

She is a dedicated and experienced volleyball coach who has spent the past 27 years dedicating her time and skills to coaching athletes of all levels. As a co-founder of BYVC with her husband Rick, she has a deep passion for the sport and has used her expertise to guide young athletes in their pursuit of excellence.

With a wealth of experience coaching competitive age groups, ranging from 13U to 18U girls and boys, Sandy has established herself as a knowledgeable and skilled coach. In addition to her club-level coaching, she has also volunteered her time to coach high school teams and served as an assistant coach on regional teams for the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA).

Sandy’s coaching philosophy centers around encouraging her athletes and teams to be their best by fostering a positive, organized, and fun environment that is skill-driven. She wants to instill confidence in her athletes and believes that this can be achieved by encouraging them to believe in themselves. Her commitment to the development of her athletes has been recognized, as she was named Female Development Coach of the Year by the OVA in 2002 and received the OVA Dianne Wood Special Achievement award in 2019.

In addition to her coaching accomplishments, Sandy has also had the privilege of coaching teams representing Brantford in the International Children Games in Canada, USA, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Amsterdam, Scotland, and Greece. With her extensive experience and passion for the sport, Sandy continues to make a positive impact on the lives of the athletes she coaches.

In June of 2023, Sandy was one of only three people from across Ontario to be inducted into the OVA’s Hall of Fame in the Builder Category for her work over her 25-year career at the local elementary and high school level, the OVA regional competitive program and the International Children’s Games!!!

Rick is one of the co-founders of BYVC, along with his wife Sandy. He also supports both the 15U Synergy Girls Team and the TLS Explosion Girls Team.

He’s been coaching for over 40 years! His coaching experience includes youth soccer and girl’s fastball, but his primary focus is on volleyball, where he has achieved various NCCP Volleyball certifications including Certified Development Coach, Trained Advanced Development Coach (indoor and beach), and Trained Performance Coach (indoor).

Rick has been involved with the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) for many years, serving as the Assistant Coach for Region 3 Female Volleyball in 2002 and Region 3 Treasurer for six years. He has been recognized for his contributions to the sport with the OVA Recognition Award in 2013 and the OVA Achievement Award in 2019.

Rick’s coaching philosophy is centered on John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, which, to paraphrase, is to prepare yourself to the best of your ability to play your best when your best is needed.  He’s OK with losing as long as the team has played their best.

He believes that mistakes are a natural part of athlete development and encourages his athletes to learn from them and not repeat them.

When coaching, Rick aims to teach his athletes not only HOW to perform a skill but also WHY they are doing it that way. He values engagement, focus, and critical thinking in his athletes and aims to create a positive and supportive learning environment.

Mckenna is an Assistant Coach for the 15U Synergy Girls Team and has been coaching since 2021, with 3 years of experience and additional involvement in the BYVC Little Diggers program.

McKenna began playing Club volleyball when she was 12 years old and played throughout high school.

She started coaching because of her love for volleyball and her desire to continue being involved in the sport after her playing days were over.

One of McKenna’s favorite memories as a coach was seeing the happiness of her team after winning their first gold medal.”

Nicole is an Assistant Coach with the 15U Synergy Girls Team, having worked with BYVC’s U14 team for the past three seasons. She has also contributed to the club as a coach for the U13 team and the Little Diggers program.

Tori is a Practice Coach for the 15U Girls Synergy Team, with an extensive background in volleyball!

Tori’s journey in volleyball began at the age of 12 when she joined Brant Youth Volleyball Club, immersing herself in competitive indoor volleyball until 2018. Her love for the sport extended to beach volleyball, where she began playing in 2014.

Drawing from her wealth of experience, Tori transitioned into supporting the developmental programs while actively engaging in competitive play for a number of years. Just this past summer, Tori also began coaching in the competitive beach volleyball program for Brant.

A true hometown connection, Tori spent her entire volleyball career at BYVC. Now, she is driven by the desire to give back to the community that played a pivotal role in shaping her athletic journey.

One standout memory for Tori is representing Brantford & Brant County in Alkmaar, Netherlands for the 2015 International Childrens Games (ICGs). Being part of the first ever ICG beach volleyball competition, and making it to the medal round, left an indelible mark on her volleyball legacy.

What Tori treasures most about volleyball is the social aspect. Whether meeting new friends, enjoying moments with the kiddos, or witnessing their eagerness to learn and grow into skilled players, the camaraderie is at the heart of her passion.

Tori’s coaching philosophy is crystal clear — while learning skills and competing in tournaments are essential components, fun must always take precedence. For Tori, ensuring a joyful and enjoyable experience is the key to maximizing the impact of volleyball in the lives of her players.