This season, John is coaching the 14U CONDORS. In addition to his role as Club President, John serves as Program Coordinator and General Administrator. John is a certified Advanced Development Coach (Level 2 NCCP) and a Gymnastics Development Coach. He also has a Development Coaching Certification from the Swiss Volleyball Federation. Aside from player and team coaching, John’s focus as President is on overall club development and growth, notably coach recruitment, effective funding and exploring new programs and opportunities to expand the future of Toronto West. John is a 1969 founding Director of Toronto West.
Byron has a long history with Toronto West, having competed on numerous Provincial Championship Teams from 2003 until 2007. After serving as Assistant Coach since 2007, Byron assumed his own team as head coach in 2015. This season, Byron is working to complete his Advanced Development Coaching Certification (Level 2 NCCP). On top of this, he has also completed his Advanced Certification in Cheerleading and Level 1 Trampoline. Byron’s outstanding coaching skills also make him an asset to other teams as a specialist trainer.
Anwar Diouman, Advanced Performance Coach (NCCP Level 3), hails from Mauritius where he coached various Men’s & Women’s club and National Teams to international success, notably winning a Gold Medal at the African Continental Championship in 1996 and a 13th place in the 1997 World Junior Championship. Anwar’s past teams have experienced much success: 17U Boys Premier Champions in 2010 and Toronto West 18U Girls to Division 1, Tier 2 Bronze in 2013. Anwar is a source of guidance & support to all our coaches and teams.
Ed has been with Toronto West Volleyball Club since the early 2000’s bringing a wealth of experience and volleyball knowledge. Ed is a certified Advanced Development Coach (Level 2 NCCP) and looks back on a long and successful career of coaching both Beach Volleyball and Indoor Boys Volleyball. Ed has coached many teams at the highest levels winning Gold Medals at both Provincial and National Championships. Ed has also been very active in the Ontario Volleyball Association as a Coach Evaluator and Regional Executive.
Sierra planted her volleyball roots with Toronto West in the early 2010s. The highlight of her playing career was competing in Las Vegas in 2014 at 18U under Coach Anwar, where she was also awarded Most Spirited Player. After graduating from University, Sierra returned to T-WEST and assisted Byron in coaching the original FALCONS until 2020. Following the completion of her MA studies, Sierra accepted the position of Head Coach of the then 14U IMPERIALS in 2021. Sierra’s keen spirit and a solid understanding of the sport make her an asset to the club.
Richard has been a valued member of the T-WEST coaching team since 2014. Richard’s extensive experience as a post-secondary Libero with George Brown College and his active involvement in Asian ten man volleyball have provided him with strong and effective leadership ability. In his role as Head Coach for the 14U DRAGONS, Richard is planting the seeds of inspiration and motivation in his young athletes minds.
As a player, Marko came up through the Toronto West ranks, having graduated back in 2014. Marko brings a wealth of knowledge to the club from his years as a member of the Ryerson Rams Men’s Volleyball program. His energetic and enthusiastic work with the Talons is both appreciated and respected. Marko expects nothing but the best from his team and players. This year, Marko completed his Advanced Development Coaching Certification (Level 2 NCCP).
Casandra is a 2020 graduate from Coach Byron’s FALCONS where, over five seasons, she learned the in’s and out’s of the game, and also developed a passion for interacting with the people that make up T-WEST. Casandra is a tireless and skilled supporter of Sierra and the IMPERIALS. Casandra is also a most valued member of the coaching staff as she is always ready to assist where needed.
Toni played under Coach Byron's FALCONS for five seasons until her gradution in 2020. Through her volleyball career, she developed a passion for interacting with the people that make up Toronto West Volleyball Club and began looking for ways to extend her experience working in sports. While completing her Undergradate degree at TMU, Toni is also working for the Ontario Volleyball Association as a Digital Communications intern working on creating valuable content for their social media at Grand Prix tournaments, and Ontario Championships. Despite her busy schedule, Toni finds time to assist her previous coach with the 17U FALCONS and act as the official Club Photographer. Toni has been most successful in managing, teaching and relating to her young athletes to the extent that she bench-coached the FALCONS to a Gold medal in the 2022 Provincial Championships!
Taylor found her volleyball roots with Toronto West in the early 2010’s. The highlight of her playing career was competing in Las Vegas in 2014 under Coach Anwar, where she was also awarded Most Spirited alongside fellow player Sierra. After graduating in 2018 from the University of Guelph, Taylor returned to Toronto West as an Assistant Coach with the WINGS and HAWKS before applying her marketing and business skills to supporting T-WEST in a variety of important administrative ways.
Mark has many years of Volleyball experience both on and off the court. This is his fifth season coaching with the Toronto West Volleyball Club. Mark supports Marko and the TALONS with fine spirit and superb administrative skills. Mark previously played setter and libero for Michael Power which allowed him to gain a keen understanding of the sport. We look forward to when Mark will assume his own team in the future.
Samuel is a graduate of Coach Ed’s 2020 Golden Eagles who has returned to assist his former coach while taking a year off from his studies at the University of Guelph. Sam’s five years under Coach Ed have taught him the ins & outs of volleyball which he now puts to good use by helping develop the young player of the current Golden Eagles team. Samuel also assists with training the 14U DRAGONS.
Lexi started her volleyball career at the Toronto West Volleyball Club in 2017 where she learned the ropes under coaches John, Anwar and Taylor. During her early years, Lexi served as a competent setter and much-valued team captain before finishing her playing career as Libero for Coach Anwar’s HAWKS in 2023. The highlight of Lexi’s playing career was competing in Las Vegas in 2023 as well as closing out her season being awarded Most Improved Player. Lexi's passion for volleyball is admired and respected by the CONDORS where her quiet and efficient leadership is very much appreciated.
Alba joined Toronto West Volleyball Club as a player in 2016 where she excelled as a Libero. Following her 18U year, Alba played at the post-secondary level at Seneca College. Since the summer of 2023, Alba has returned to Toronto West where she has most successfully undertaken the challenging task of assisting Coach Anwar with the training and management of two teams in one season! Not surprisingly, both teams are doing very well. Alba's ample experience and knowledge, but especially her infectiously positive spirit and high energy are a huge asset to both Coach Anwar and the twenty-three athletes under her care. Alba is most passionate about developing young athletes to have successful volleyball careers, and we look forward to Alba assuming her own team in the future!
Ella played for T-WEST for 4 years, during which she served as team captain for the 14-16U WINGS from 2019 to 2022. After this, she became a setter for the 18U HAWKS. Aside from setting at the elite 18U level, Ella finds time to assistant coach and train the 14U CONDORS at their Sunday training sessions. Ella also assists at camps and skills workshops where her experience and insight is much appreciated.
