Sandy is the Head Coach of 15U Synergy Girls Team.

She is a dedicated and experienced volleyball coach who has spent the past 26 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!!!

Abbey is the Head Coach for our Spikes Developmental Program at BYVC, as well as a Practice Coach for the 15U Synergy.

As an Educational Assistant, Abbey brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her coaching style!

Abbey is passionate about volleyball and although she also coaches basketball and ball hockey, volleyball remains her favorite sport. She still plays competitively twice a week and loves introducing kids and teens to the basics and proper form of volleyball.

She encourages everyone to stick with it, even though it’s not an easy sport and there’s always room for improvement. Despite her many years of experience, Abbey admits that she still makes mistakes on the court, but the team camaraderie always helps her forget those mistakes.

One of Abbey’s favorite memories is when she received a yellow card for the first time in her career because her team’s fans were “too loud and distracting!” Go Tornadoes Go!!

She also maintains strong connections with many players who played alongside and against her over the years, which has allowed her to develop a rich and supportive community.

Abbey is excited to continue her work with BYVC and hopes to meet many more young athletes in the future, inspiring them to fall in love with volleyball just as she did many years ago.

Steve is a Practice Coach for the 15U Synergy Girls Team.

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.