Matt’s love for volleyball began as the 4th string bench player on his eighth-grade volleyball team in Richmond, BC. Following hundreds of hours of practice and training with the local club volleyball system, he soon developed the skill, coordination and confidence to lead his team to four City Championship titles, and also became high school's first team to reach the BC Provincial Championship Tournament.

 

His passion for the sport followed him through to post-secondary, first working with the UBC Thunderbirds Men’s Volleyball team, then competing with the Capilano University Blues, playing every and any position that the coach and team needed. 

 

Aside from teaching and coaching professionally, Matt now plays in the ever-glorified (yet comically recreational) indoor men’s league with friends during winters and outdoor co-ed grass leagues during the summers.

Matt began coaching in 2007 for two reasons: To give back to a sport he loved, and to improve the level of competition in Richmond. The local youth club that he volunteers for has grown from 3 active teams in 2007 to 12 teams today while being known as one of the largest clubs in the province.

 

Matt found that there was a large community of adults who also loved volleyball, but they were limited by their playing experience. Volleyball IS the most social team sport and activity that people can play for life, and Matt is determined to share that passion with all who want to learn. He has been coaching adults for 14 seasons and has been directing the FTLO Volleyball Train and Play League for 4 summers running.

 

Along with an NCCP Level 2 certification, 15U National Bronze, Provincial Bronze and Gold medal in his coaching resume, Matt is much more proud of introducing the excitement of volleyball to 200+ youth and over 150+ adults - and still counting! The most rewarding part to him? Having former students return and also giving back :)