T-Bird coaches tapped for Volleyball Canada National Team duty

The UBC Thunderbirds Men’s Volleyball program will be well represented as key members of this summer’s Volleyball Canada coaching staffs.

T-Birds Head Coach Mike Hawkins and Assistant Coach Matt Krueger have both been selected to coach with Volleyball Canada for the 2022 international season, coming one year after their work with the U19 Men’s National Team.

Coach Krueger will make the transition to the Women’s side after a successful stint during the Fall, as Head Coach and UBC alumna Shannon Winzer has selected Coach Krueger to be an Assistant Coach with the team for a busy upcoming Summer. The competition schedule will be highlighted by the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and World Championships.

“It is an incredible honour to be selected as an Assistant Coach for the Sr. Women’s National team,” said Krueger. “To represent Canada internationally, and learn under Head Coach Shannon Winzer will be another tremendous experience. Thank you to the UBC Athletics Department and Mike Hawkins for being extremely supportive of this amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to bringing my experiences and lessons learned back to the UBC Men’s Volleyball program.”

Coach Hawkins will be busy once again with the Men’s program, taking the reins as Head Coach for both the U23 and U21 programs during the first year under new senior national team Head Coach Ben Josephson (formerly of TWU). After 8 consecutive summers with the U19 (Youth) national team, Hawkins will have the opportunity to train at the National Team Training Centre in Gatineau, Que. before international events in Brazil and Cuba this summer.

“There is no greater honour in sport than representing your country and I am once again grateful for the opportunity to coach with our national team program,” commented Hawkins on his latest international venture. “The U23 and U21 age groups are incredibly exciting, with amazing athletes either poised to make the jump to the senior team or those just entering the national team pathways. I want to thank Coach Josephson for entrusting me in these roles and for all those associated at UBC for allowing me to pursue these amazing opportunities.”

The national team season has already begun, with the Senior National Team evaluation camp currently underway in Gatineau, Que. until May 13 prior to team selections for the various competition rosters. UBC is well represented on the court, with Mike Dowhaniuk, Coltyn Liu, and Matt Neaves currently looking to establish their roles for the Summer. Coach Hawkins is also a part of the coaching staff for the evaluation camp.

Stay tuned for roster announcements coming in the following weeks.