Our coaches
Head Coach Anatole Nykolyshyn
Anatole is thrilled to be entering his third consecutive year with the St. Albert Wolverines Volleyball Club. As Head Coach of the U14B boys’ team this past season, he led the squad to an impressive haul of three medals. The team struck gold at the Premier 2 tournament in Okotoks/Calgary, emerging as Division 2 champions. Building on that momentum, they continued to sharpen their skills in practice and clinched another gold at Premier 3 in Red Deer, this time in Division 1 (Blue). The season culminated with a hard-fought silver medal at the Provincial Championships in Olds/Innisfail.
This success was driven by Anatole’s unwavering commitment to skill development, team chemistry, and a balanced approach to both offence and defense. He credits much of the team’s achievements to the invaluable support of his assistant coaches, Troy Bruce and Dereck Porret, whose guidance played a pivotal role throughout the season.
Anatole’s coaching philosophy centers on nurturing young athletes through the sport of volleyball. His passion for the game began in grade 6 when he won the York County Championship in Ontario. He went on to play high school volleyball at West Kildonan Collegiate in Manitoba, reaching the provincial semi-finals in both grades 11 and 12. That early love for the game has kept him on the court for over 30 years, competing in high-level men’s and co-ed leagues in Winnipeg and Edmonton.
Anatole has previously coached club volleyball in both Spruce Grove and St. Albert. During the shortened COVID season, he led the U13 boys’ team in St. Albert to a strong 4th-place finish at Premier #1. The following year, as Head Coach of the U14 boys’ team, he focused on player development during a season without games.
In 2023, while co-coaching the U16 Ravens boys’ team in Spruce Grove, Anatole emphasized defensive fundamentals, passing precision, and proper hitting and blocking techniques. His approach paid off, with the team securing two gold medals—one at Premier #3 and another at the Alberta Provincials (Division 3) in Red Deer.
Beyond team coaching, Anatole has led several youth volleyball skills camps in St. Albert. These camps have been instrumental in shaping young athletes, with a strong emphasis on footwork and technical development. Many of his former campers are now thriving in high school and club volleyball programs.
Anatole’s coaching experience also extends to boys’ fastball and baseball, where he spent several years mentoring young athletes in St. Albert.
Outside of sports, Anatole has built a successful career as a Certified Financial Planner. He spent over two decades with Freedom 55 Financial and now runs his own firm, L&R Family Wealth Advisory Inc. His professional journey reflects the same dedication, discipline, and long-term vision he instills in his athletes. As he often says, “Successful athletes need the same kind of work ethic to reach their goals.”
Anatole remains deeply committed to developing young athletes in St. Albert and is excited to continue fostering growth, teamwork, and excellence for years to come.
Assistant Coach Dereck Porret
What do you focus on most as a coach, and why is that important to you?
I focus on developing well rounded players who can perform all of the skills. As players get older they are often moved around in their positions and ensuring that they are able to have a long/strong volleyball career requires that they are proficient at everything until they are specializing in a particular position for the remainder of their career.
What teams or age groups have you coached?
I have coached U13-U16 boys and I also have coached the Memorial Comp Highschool Sr boys for 3 years.
How did you get into volleyball, and what keeps you coaching the sport today?
I got into volleyball later after learning about it through my fiance. The first time I played it for myself I was hooked. Hours of research/playing and watching games eventually developed into a desire to coach and that passion never went away which is why I continue to coach/play.
Assistant Coach Troy Bruce
Coach Troy brings a wealth of experience and passion for the game of volleyball to the Wolverines Volleyball Club. He is returning for his third year of coaching with the Wolverines. He has dedicated his coaching career to developing athletes both on and off the court.
Troy started playing volleyball in grade seven in Barrhead where he spent most of his youth. After High School, he transitioned into a collegiate career. Troy is a former Lakeland Rustler and NAIT Ooks Alumni. He played a variety of positions, including left side, right side and middle. After college, Troy played high level co-ed and men’s leagues for over 15 years.
He has transitioned into coaching, eager to inspire the next generation of players to reach their full potential. In addition to technical skills, Troy focuses on building strong relationships with players and parents, encouraging open communication and a positive team culture. He believes that every player has unique strengths and works tirelessly to help each individual grow, both as a competitor and as a person.
Head Coach Natasha Hampton
Natasha Hampton is excited to coach for the Wolverines Volleyball Club for her second consecutive year. Last year she was the Head Coach for the U13 Women’s team. She started her volleyball journey in small-town Saskatchewan in grade 5. These strong early years focused on development and skills leading to 5 years of club experience and her playing on the Senior High School volleyball team for Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 where they were provincial champions for all four years. Playing both club and high school she has won countless tournaments and titles. She went on the play volleyball at SIAST where she was named female athlete of the year for both her volleyball and soccer performance. This passion for the game has led her to continue in the sport for 20 + years. She has played high-level co-ed and ladies volleyball in the Calgary and Edmonton area.
Natasha was involved with coaching in the junior high school program in Airdrie, AB before relocating to the Edmonton area. She also has experience coaching her own children in soccer. Her children went on to play hockey and high-level softball, giving her a lot of experience in the elite sports world.
In her professional life Natasha is the lead dental assistant instructor at Reeves College. This experience with leading people through their post secondary education and helping them grow and reach their goals gives her the knowledge and insight to make her an excellent coach.
Natasha believes in development of players both on and off the court and building a program that values athletes as people. She is looking forward to helping develop the Wolverine’s Volleyball Program in the St Albert Area.
Assistant Coach Robyn Flett
What do you focus on most as a coach, and why is that important to you?
As a coach I focus on a positive learning environment where athletes feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and learn from mistakes while also cultivating a team connection and a sense of community.
What teams or age groups have you coached?
I am a multi-sport coach that has coached kids as young as 10 years old and as old as 18 year old. This is my first year coaching for the St. Albert Wolverines and I’m looking forward to watching the girls learn and develop over the season, as well as refining my own volleyball specific coaching skills while working along side our Head Coach Natasha Hampton.
How did you get into volleyball, and what keeps you coaching the sport today?
I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in junior high school. I love all sports and prefer to play them over watch them. You won’t see me sitting and watching a 3 hour hockey game, but you will find me spending 3 hours playing volleyball, basketball, football, baseball, street hockey, swimming, running or cycling. The love of sport and sharing this love with the younger generation so that our next generation continues to remain active is what keeps me coaching sport today.
Assistant Coach Alana Degraaf
What do you focus on most as a coach, and why is that important to you?
My focus is on learning the fundamentals, how to pass, set, hit, all using good form. I also want to create a loving team atmosphere where we can all be ourselves and feel accepted.
What teams or age groups have you coached?
I’ve been the headcoach at Edmonton Christian School for 3 years – both junior and senior team.
What’s a recent coaching moment that stands out?
Winning city finals for jr high senior girls team at Edmonton Christian West School!
How did you get into volleyball, and what keeps you coaching the sport today?
I started playing volleyball in grade 7, in my hometown in northern BC. I was coached by an excellent coach who instilled my love for volleyball. [I] continued playing through college and into adulthood. It’s so team-oriented and theres no contact. I prefer when the opposing team is separated by a net.
Head Coach Simon Grant
What do you focus on most as a coach, and why is that important to you?
I focus on developing the fundamentals. Proper footwork, passing, setting, serving, etc… these are the skills they need to develop properly to build on later.
What age groups have you coached?
I’ve coached ages 9, 10, 12 and 13.
How did you get into volleyball, and what keeps you coaching the sport today?
I grew up in a very small community and in grade 3 my school needed players so I made the team. I’ve been playing ever since 🙂 I’ve enjoyed playing many other sports but volleyball has always been an important part of my life.
Assistant Coach Sherri A. Lees
What do you focus on most as a coach, and why is that important to you?
My focus is on supporting the girls with growth and development of skills, building relationships, and having fun.
What teams or age groups have you coached?
This is my first year as an assistant coach. I am looking forward to the season!
How did you get into volleyball, and what keeps you coaching the sport today?
I played volleyball in junior and senior high. It is one of my favourite sports! When my daughter was invited to join The Wolverines, I knew I had to help. I love how a team can learn how to move together, anticipating each move with a bump, set, spike!
Head Coach Edgar Otero
What do you focus on most as a coach, and why is that important to you?
I focus on teamwork, perseverance, and respect, because kids learn that effort, learning from failure, and valuing others lead to real success.
What teams or age groups have you coached, and what’s a recent coaching moment that stands out to you?
I’ve coached U14 and U15 girls as an assistant coach for the past few seasons. A recent standout moment was identifying team weaknesses and implementing focused training that led to quick, positive improvements.
How did you get into volleyball, and what keeps you coaching the sport today?
I’ve loved volleyball since elementary school, where it was a popular sport. I played through school and university, including at the national level in my country, and I still compete in leagues in Edmonton. Volleyball taught me hard work and teamwork and gives me a way to disconnect, and my goal is to pass that passion and knowledge on to young athletes so they can learn, have fun, and grow.
Assistant Coach Ina Otero
Volleyball has always played a meaningful role in Andreina’s life-and it continues to shape who she is today. She values the power of teamwork and believes that learning to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds builds character and sharpens essential life skills. For Andreina, the court is more than just a place to play-it’s a space for growth, connection, and transformation. Her greatest hope is to inspire young athletes, helping them. develop not only as players but, more importantly, as compassionate and resilient individuals.
