TRAN TO LEAD LIONS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Tran spent the past two years as an assistant coach with the squad under Arif Nathoo. In that time, the Lions went 30-8 in regular-season play and ended 2008-09 as OUA champions. He has overseen the play and development of seven OUA East all-stars, two major award winners and two all-rookie team members.
"I am honoured and excited about the opportunity to come back next season as the head coach to carry on our winning tradition," said Tran. "We have a tough challenge ahead as we try to defend our title and I look forward to leading this young and talented group of athletes to try and meet this challenge."
Tran, the principal at Bloordale Middle School, was the recipient of the Ontario Volleyball Association coach of the year award in 2005 and he also runs a successful Vipers volleyball club in Toronto. Previously, he was an assistant coach for the provincial team and an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning Region 5 team at the provincial championship. He has been named to the coaching staff for the 2009 Canada Games provincial team that will be competing this summer in P.E.I. at the Canada Games.
A strong supporter of athlete development programs, Tran has been involved with the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) development programs for the past 10 years in several different capacities and is currently the chair of one of the OVA's Long-Term Athlete Development committees looking at the Learning to Compete Stage and the Training to Compete Stage.
"We are very happy to have Nick take over the women's volleyball program next season," said Jennifer Myers, director, Sport & Recreation. "He is already familiar with the student-athletes on the team and has played a significant role in the recruitment of new players for the 2009-10 season. We are very confident that he will continue to grow the program and build upon the success experienced by the Lions last year."
Ben Tran will remain as an assistant with the team next season. The Lions' 2009-10 schedule will be released in June.
Source: York Lions