Meet the Coaches
Shockwave prides itself in it's coaching staff and the level of experience we are able to provide our athletes. Our satisfaction comes from helping your athlete reach their highest potential. If you're interested in joining our coaching staff, visit our jobs page.

Technical Director
Vishnu Persaud
Vishnu joins the Shockwave coaching staff having previously coached with several clubs in Toronto as well as with the OVA's regional program, Ontario Summer Games, and Volleyball Canada's Centre of Excellence. He has over 20 years of coaching experience and has coached over 60 indoor teams. Vishnu is an NCCP performance (level 3) trained coach who follows the models set forth by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) using double goal coaching to teach life lessons through sport. Using their techniques, he encourages and motivates his athletes to perform their best. Vishnu is one of only 15 certified advanced development coach evaluators in Ontario.

6v6 (13U)/15U Girls Head Coach
Caetano Weisenblum
Coach Cae brings a wealth of experience and passion from his extensive playing career to the club. With a background that includes club volleyball and competing on the varsity team at George Brown. Caetano has a deep understanding of the game from both a player and a coach perspective. Now in his third year coaching in the OVA, he excels at mentoring athletes, whether they're just starting out or looking to polish their advanced skills. Caetano's coaching philosophy centres around fostering a strong sense of self-respect, integrity, and perseverance within his team. He aims to create an encouraging and inclusive environment where every player feels valued and motivated to improve. By focusing on both technical volleyball skills and personal growth, Caetano prepares his players to succeed not only on the court but in all areas of life.

6v6 (13U)/15U Girls Head Coach
Heart Fortuno
Heart developed a love for volleyball at a young age and has continued to grow in the sport ever since. She began playing club volleyball at 16 and served as co-captain during her 17U/18U season, where she was known for her leadership and positivity. After completing her first year with the Seneca Sting Women’s Volleyball Team, she continues to build her skills and deepen her understanding of the game at a higher level. Heart focuses on teaching fundamentals, building confidence, and fostering a supportive team environment. She believes practice doesn’t always make perfect—but it builds consistency, and that’s what drives long-term success in volleyball and beyond.

TLS (14U) Girls Head Coach
Louie Fan
Having previous experience coaching multiple sports, Louie joins Shockwave eager to bring his knowledge and enthusiasm to help develop skilled and well-rounded athletes. He sees volleyball as an excellent way to teach both tangible and intangible skills needed on and off the court. His coaching style creates an environment where athletes learn to support each other, be more confident in themselves, be open to make, learn, and succeed from their mistakes, and to become a voice on and off the court. Louie also draws a lot on his experience as a teacher at a local high school where he also coaches the volleyball team.

TLS (14U) Girls Head Coach
Thuy Le
Having assisted with our 14U Sharks team last year,, Thuy now returns as a head coach. Thuy has a deep understanding of the game, having played at a competitive level for over a decade. Her playing career has provided her with valuable insights into volleyball, which she now brings to her coaching approach. Thuy places a strong emphasis on technical skill development, believing that mastering the fundamentals is the key to both individual success and team growth. Alongside technical development, Thuy is committed to helping athletes understand game play strategy, emphasizing the importance of court awareness, communication, and decision-making in match situations. Thuy’s goal is to help each player grow not only as an athlete but as a thinker of the game. Through continuous learning, Thuy hopes to help players not only improve their skills but also develop a love for the game.

TLS (14U) Girls Head Coach
Abigail Benemerito
​Since childhood, Abigail has been deeply passionate about volleyball. She has earned championships at both the school and club levels and has also coached her school's junior volleyball team. Through these experiences, Abigail has gained a comprehensive understanding of the game's key elements and the challenges players face. As she transitions from being a player to a coach, she aims to impart her knowledge and skills to help develop aspiring athletes. With her profound grasp of the sport, she is committed to creating an environment that inspires and motivates players to reach their full potential. Abigail is thrilled to join the Shockwave family and hopes to gain more coaching experience while sharing her enthusiasm for volleyball.

15U Girls Head Coach
Abhishek Bhujaballi
Volleyball is a big part of Abhi’s life, first as a player and now as a coach. With years of playing and coaching, he has developed a coaching philosophy built around a love of the game to develop character, resilience, and confidence. He believes that volleyball is not just about competition, but about building values that last far beyond the court. Abhi’s coaching style focuses on goal setting, a growth mindset, and mental performance, alongside technical skill and teamwork. He is dedicated to creating an environment where athletes can thrive, compete with passion, and grow both as players and as people. Abhi is also a certified fitness coach, bringing that expertise into his practices by focusing on agility, strength, and athleticism to help athletes reach their full potential. Giving back through sport has always been central to Abhi’s journey. For him, coaching is more than wins and losses, it’s about preparing athletes for success both on the court and in life.

16U Girls Head Coach
Nathan Dunne
Coach Dunne differentiates himself from other coaches because of his acute attention to detail and drive to better himself and his community. Over his 5-year volleyball career, he notched notable medals; Gold at The Ontario Summer Games in Beach Volleyball (2018) alongside head technical director, Vishnu Persaud. gold at Ontario Beach Provincials in 16U and gold at the US high-performance international beach tournament the same year. Before losing his 17U and 18U seasons due to the pandemic, he was awarded an OVA All-Star (one of 6 in the province) and finished 4th place at indoor Nationals , and a bronze medal in the provincial indoor championships. He has ample experience in high-level sport and cannot wait to foster a welcoming community at Shockwave Volleyball!

16U Girls Head Coach
Kedar Wilson
Kedar brings almost a decade of volleyball experience to Shockwave. He has an extensive knowledge on all volleyball skills and looks forward to developing these players into great athletes as well as people. He has played in the OCAA for 2 years, one as a George Brown Husky (2021) and one as a part of the Seneca Stings (2023). We are fortunate that he has decided to join our Shockwave coaching team!

17U Girls Head Coach
Michael Cvitkovic
A trained Development Coach, Michael brings high energy and a holistic athlete development approach to the volleyball court. He provides Shockwave with a wealth of volleyball experience in coaching and club leadership, with a concentrated effort in the Train to Train and Learn to Compete stages of Volleyball Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. A certified official with Volleyball Canada, Michael is enrolled in the Regional Upgrade Program. Coach Michael promotes his mantra of “Effort, Focus and Fun” through athlete and parent communication, planning, on-going education and passion.

18U Head Coach
Liam Gould
​Liam is a dedicated coach to the sport of volleyball. His passion for the sport of far surpasses those in similar interest, saying "it’s one of the most important things in my life and I want others to feel this way”. Liam uses his skills learned from his previous club volleyball experience as well as years of house league and high school coaching experience to coach for the 2024-2025 season. Liam is in the kinesiology program at Durham college where he learns about performance sports training, using this knowledge to his advantage on the court as well as on the sidelines coaching his team.

14U Girls Assistant Coach
Aaron Ahmed
Aaron’s journey in athletics began with high school varsity volleyball and has continued through years of playing, officiating, and mentoring athletes. Now stepping into his role as an assistant coach with Shockwave Volleyball, he brings a mix of playing experience and a background as a volleyball referee that gives him a well-rounded perspective on the game. His coaching philosophy centers on creating an environment where athletes can challenge themselves, build confidence, and strengthen their sense of teamwork and communication while developing the drive to improve a little more every day. For Aaron, volleyball is more than a sport; it is an opportunity to inspire growth, build connections, and bring out the best in every athlete.

16U Girls Assistant Coach
Christine Liu
With a strong passion for player development and team culture, Christine brings energy,
experience, and a deep understanding of the game to her role as Assistant Coach. Her
coaching style emphasizes fundamentals, smart decision-making, and fostering a positive, hardworking environment on and off the court. In addition to technical expertise, she is committed to mentoring young athletes and encouraging leadership, resilience, and teamwork. She takes pride in supporting the head coach in practice planning, game strategy, and individualized player feedback. Whether it's a first-time player or a returning athlete, she believes in creating a space where every athlete feels seen, supported, and motivated to push themselves.

17U Girls Assistant Coach
Dannielle Copruz
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TLS (14U) Girls Assistant Coach
Daryll Jose
Having assisted with our Smash team last year, Daryll will continue with the team for the 2025-26 season. Daryll has quickly developed a deep understanding of the game of volleyball. As a former student coach for his High School Junior team, Daryll developed the team's offensive capabilities, expanding the junior teams arsenal. Daryll is excited to join the Shockwave coaching staff and further develop his coaching skills.

6v6 (13U) Girls Assistant Coach
Fabio Melchert
Fabio is a trained NCCP Development Coach with more than 40 years of experience as an active player. He has played as a setter at competitive levels for several teams in High School and University leagues. He brings a strong sense of teamwork and a permanent commitment to continuing learning. Above all, he believes in the "Volleyball for life" principle and the overall importance of sports in the lives of young athletes. Fabio is in his second season with Shockwave, with experience as an assistant coach for 13U girls Sharks.

15U Girls Assistant Coach
Jaden da Silva
Coach Jaden is a firm believer in “volleyball for life”, embodying key values of sport–resilience, integrity, and collaboration–on and off the court. Specifically, Jaden brings years of playing, coaching, and managerial experience in the sport of volleyball, and aims to translate these experiences into helping athletes develop as players and people. He seeks to create a coaching environment where players feel supported to speak up and push themselves in all aspects of life. Ultimately, through each practice and game, Jaden seeks to build exceptional athletes and outspoken leaders.

15U Girls Assistant Coach
Jane Bulger

6v6 (13U) Girls Assistant Coach
Johnny Poveda
Johnny came to Canada from Venezuela 5 years ago where he coached and nurtured many athletes in various sports. His passion and competitive nature came from beach volleyball where he played for various teams back in Spain. Johnny now in Canada, runs camps for students to learn the love of sport. He is a great role model to all athletes and instills compassion, dedication and perseverance to all he coaches. Johnny has an outstanding ability to communicate with players and guide them to confidence in the sport. His love for the game will no doubt be contagious to all he coaches.

16U Girls Assistant Coach
Jeremie Gelera
With a deep passion for volleyball and years of experience both on and off the court, Jeremie is a dedicated volleyball coach known for bringing out the best in every player. Having played the sport for many years at various levels, he combines technical expertise with a genuine love for the game; creating a positive and encouraging environment for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Whether coaching beginners or more advanced players, Jeremie focuses on fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence-building—believing that growth in sports mirrors growth in life. He continues to stay involved in the volleyball community, always learning, adapting, and sharing the joy of the game. For Jeremie volleyball isn't just a sport—it's a lifelong passion and a way to inspire others.

15U Girls Assistant Coach
Justin Nadela
This is Justin’s first year as an assistant coach with the team, bringing many years of volleyball experience both as a player and coach. As the former captain of his High School team, Justin also coached both the junior and senior teams during his time there. Beyond school, Justin has coached athletes of all ages with the City of Toronto, building strong foundations for new players while challenging advanced athletes to reach the next level. Justin has also developed a better understanding of the game while competing in competitive volleyball leagues and tournaments. As a coach, Justin emphasizes mastering the fundamentals while introducing advanced techniques that help players grow to their fullest potential—both on and off the court.

17U Girls Assistant Coach
Katie Smith
After 5 years of rep volleyball, I am so excited to be an assistant coach for the 17U girls team! I was honoured to receive the Most Improved Athlete award during my 18U season. I’m known for my high energy and passion for the game. I’ve also spent time coaching elementary school teams and volleyball summer camps. I love helping young athletes grow their skills and confidence on and off the court.

15U Girls Assistant Coach
Liam Gillmore
Liam has been playing volleyball for almost 8 years now, and loves it more with each passing day. He believes it is not only a great sport but a great teacher for life as a whole - about how to bounce back from adversity, build positive relationships, and work to achieve shared goals with your teammates. Liam brings OVA playing experience as well as volleyball coaching experience to Shockwave, where he will be helping our players develop their technical and teamwork skills to become the best players they can be. The things he feels sets him apart as a player are the energy he brings to the court, as well as his feel for the game and a well-rounded skillset -qualities he hopes to pass to our players. Above all, Liam wants to help our athletes discover the same love for volleyball that he and the rest of our coaches found along our journeys.

15U Girls Assistant Coach
Maddie Camp
Maddie brings energy, positivity, and a love for the game to her role as an Assistant Coach. She has played volleyball for several years, giving her a strong understanding of the sport and the athlete experience. Maddie focuses on teaching fundamentals, building confidence, and creating a supportive team environment. She is passionate about guiding athletes through their development, encouraging them to grow not only as players but also as leaders and teammates, while building the consistency that leads to long-term success in volleyball and beyond.

13U Girls Assistant Coach
Margot Michener
Margot is entering her third year of rep volleyball with Shockwave and is excited to begin her first season as an assistant coach. As she says, "If you know me, you know Volleyball is a huge part of my life." The sport has shaped her identity and taught her valuable lessons in responsibility, discipline, and teamwork. Margot brings a high-energy, positive attitude to the court and is passionate about creating an environment where young athletes feel supported and confident. She loves helping players discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and believe in themselves both as individuals and teammates. As a coach, she’s excited to share her love for the game and create a supportive environment where players can grow both on and off the court.

18U Girls Assistant Coach
Mathijs Martinez

14U Girls Assistant Coach
Nikko Lagman
Nikko has been passionate about volleyball for over eight years, developing a deep understanding of the game through competitive play. On the court, he brings energy, strategic thinking, and a focus on teamwork, helping players see how individual skills fit into the bigger picture. Nikko emphasizes mastering the fundamentals while encouraging creativity and smart decision-making during play. He aims to help athletes grow not just in skill, but in confidence, awareness, and love for the game. Nikko’s goal is to inspire players to think critically, communicate effectively, and enjoy every moment on the court while reaching their full potential.

18U Girls Assistant Coach
Olivia Vallelunga
With over six years of competitive volleyball experience, Olivia brings a deep passion and strong leadership presence to the court. She has captained every club team she’s played on, as well as her high school team in Grade 10, earning a reputation for her positivity, drive, and unwavering commitment to her teammates. Now playing as a setter for the George Brown Women’s Volleyball Team, Olivia continues to grow both as a player and mentor. She’s dedicated to fostering a safe, encouraging learning environment where athletes feel empowered to push their limits, support one another, and develop a real love for the game. Whether it’s celebrating the highs or learning through the lows, Olivia has cherished every step of her volleyball journey, and she's excited to help the next generation of players do the same.

13U Girls Assistant Coach
Sydney Green
Sydney's athletic journey began with soccer, where she learned the value of teamwork—an experience that inspired her to study Sports Management with a focus on long-term player development and empowering young girls to stay involved in sport. Originally from Manitoba, she discovered her passion for volleyball at a young age, playing her club years with a driven and tight-knit team that helped fuel her love for the game. Sydney was a part of the 2024-25 record-breaking Humber women’s volleyball season that finished with silver at nationals. In addition to her playing experience, she has also contributed to the development of young athletes by coaching summer camps with her hometown club. She is excited to apply her knowledge and develop her coaching experience at Shockwave.

14U Girls Assistant Coach
Téa Lepine
Coach Téa has been playing volleyball competitively in top divisions for the past 7 years. She fell in love with the game at a young age and has continued to grow her skills both on the court and as a teammate and leader. Over the years, she’s played in high-level competitions all over the world and developed a deep understanding of the game. This year, she’s decided to shift gears and continue her volleyball career as a coach. As a first-year assistant coach for the 14U team, she’s excited to share her passion and knowledge with younger athletes. Coach Téa brings energy, creativity, leadership, and a fresh perspective to the team, and she’s dedicated to helping her players build confidence, improve their skills, and reach their full potential.

16U Girls Assistant Coach
Tenzin Dhasel
After years of playing competitive volleyball in India, Nepal, and Canada, Tenzin is excited to step into the role of assistant coach for the 16U girls Storm team. Volleyball has given him valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, and now he looks forward to passing down what he has learned to the next generation of players. His goal is to help athletes not only develop their skills on the court but also build confidence, resilience, and a true love for the game.
