Cougars announce Smith as women’s volleyball head coach

CALGARY, ALTA. – Shane Smith has been announced as the permanent women’s volleyball head coach by Mount Royal University Cougars Athletics. 

After joining the Cougars’ volleyball program in late August 2021 as the interim head coach, Smith has cemented his position with both the women’s volleyball team and the athletics department at MRU. Additionally, joining Smith’s staff will be associate head coach, Donata Huebert, a three-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Liberio of the Year with the Brandon Bobcats. Huebert will also bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Cougars. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce Shane as our head coach leading the women’s volleyball program into the future,” Rob Godfrey, associate director, varsity athletics said. “He and Donata have done a tremendous job since assuming the interim role in late August.

“Shane has an incredible manner in which he supports and empowers his student-athletes, something we feel is super valuable in today’s game. While officially welcoming Shane and his family to MRU, we look forward to continued success for the program as we pursue our first Canada West and U SPORTS Championships.”

Over half way through the schedule Smith and the women’s volleyball program boast an 8-2 record with four more weekends of double-header matches to play until the end of the regular season. Currently, the Cougars women’s volleyball program sits second overall in the Canada West central division and will look to hold on to their position with tough matches against the University of Alberta and University of Calgary in the coming weeks. 

“Donata and I are grateful to MRU for believing in us to continue building on the success of this program,” Smith said. “We have had such a great time working with this group of athletes and we are very excited for the future.” 

After MRU’s women’s volleyball incredible 2019-20 season that resulted in a national championship berth, but was unable to be played due to COVID-19, Smith has hopes of returning to a similar scenario this season. 

Now, along with his permanent position at MRU, Smith’s resume includes various volleyball staffing positions from 2012-17 including as an assistant coach with Brandon University’s men’s and women’s programs, an interim head coach position with the University of Regina’s women’s program and most recently back with the University of Winnipeg as an assistant coach. 

With experience at both the provincial and national level, Smith coached the senior women’s national team from 2013-16 and was the two-time assistant coach for Manitoba’s U17 team at the National Challenge Cup. 

In 2007, Smith began his teaching career with the St. James-Assiniboia School Division as a physical education teacher before moving to John Taylor Collegiate in 2008. In 2012, Smith graduated from the University of Victoria with his Master of Education in coaching studies.