Weinmaster named CCAA Coach of the Year
Nolan Weinmaster of the Briercrest Clippers has been named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year.
He received the award this evening at the 2018 CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship banquet, hosted by GPRC in Grande Prairie, AB.
“Nolan has turned the Clippers into one of the best women’s volleyball teams in Canada,” said Fred Batley, CCAA Women’s Volleyball Convenor. “He is a role model to his student-athletes and is well respected by his colleagues in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference and CCAA.”
Briercrest had its best regular season ever, cruising to a 21-3 record and first-place finish in the ACAC South Division.
While the Clippers led the ACAC in overall offence with 1,461 total points, Weinmaster’s squad also shined on the defensive side of the ball. They only dropped 18 sets all season, in a competitive division.
Briercrest, which had an incredible 22-game winning streak this season, peaked at No. 4 in the CCAA Rankings.
Weinmaster, who took over in 2006, has transformed the Women’s Volleyball program at Briercrest into a perennial contender in the ACAC. The Clippers head coach is invested in his players off the court as well.
“Nolan is always willing to listen and lend a helping hand where he can and is a great support for everyone that he comes into contact with,” said Anthony Skepple, Assistant Athletic Director at Briercrest College and Seminary. “Nolan has the utmost character and integrity and is someone all young coaches should look up to and aspire to be.”
Weinmaster is also heavily involved with organizing and operating the Briercrest youth volleyball camps.
CCAA Coach of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA Championship Awards Banquet.
OTHER NOMINEES
Duncan Harrison |
Matthew Cheung |
J-C Gagnon |
Derrick Brooks |
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Columbia |
Centennial |
Volontaires |
MSVU |
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Harrison guided the Bearcats to their first post-season appearance in the PACWEST since the 2013-14 season. Columbia climbed out of the conference basement and improved by 13 points this season. The Bearcats showed better competitiveness, consistency and perseverance, posting an 11-13 record in the PACWEST. Harrison also coaches the Fraser Valley Volleyball Club team and he owns and operates the Centre Court Volleyball Academy in Abbotsford, BC. |
Cheung led Centennial to a 15-3 record and second-place finish in the OCAA East Division. In only their third year of existence, the Colts have gone from a 3-17 team in 2015-16 to a contender in the OCAA. His commitment to volleyball focused weight training and mental skills training has set the benchmark at Centennial. Cheung also coaches with Team Ontario and works with Toronto Connex Volleyball, Leaside Volleyball and TOPS Volleyball Academy. |
Gagnon guided his team to an eight-point improvement, as the Volontaires went 10-8 to finish in a tie for second place in the RSEQ. The most improved aspect of Sherbrooke’s game this season was their ability to use all six players on offence, thus throwing a more consistent and balanced attack at their opponents. Gagnon is a high school physical education teacher who also runs a nine-team volleyball program at the institution. |
Despite losing six graduating student-athletes, Brooks led the Mystics to a 20-1 record and first-place finish in the ACAA for the second straight season. MSVU was once again strong off the bench, had good team chemistry and a strong work ethic. Brooks is also a national official and referees at the high school level. He remains highly involved with the Sackville Sonics Volleyball Club, which he formed more than 10 years ago. |
