Our Pack Leaders
Meet our leaders and get to know us. Here you can read up on our coaches, their playing careers, coaching careers and a bit more about them.
Alykhan Kassam
Alykhan began partaking in athletics at a very early age in life and excelled at many sports. Since then, Alykhan has played on numerous teams. His playing career has led him to partake in numerous tournaments within Canada and the US as well as tournaments reaching as far as Nairobi, Kenya.
In 2008, Alykhan decided it was time to start teaching others and to pass on his love for the game. He began coaching at the Volleydome for their Dome Club program and soon transitioned to club volleyball. Here he has had the privilege of coaching many athletes. Though Alykhan says his coaching career is still young, there have already been many medal-worthy accomplishments.
Alykhan loves every aspect of coaching and of the game as a whole. As he teaches, Alykhan focuses on the proper technical aspects of the game, and places a strong focus on mental preparation and adaptation so that his players play harder and smarter!
As President and one of the founders of North Western Volleyball Club, Alykhan aims to be a coach who can not only teach players about sports, but also about themselves, teamwork, and life.
Favourite Quote:
“I run along the road, long before I dance under the lights” –– Muhammad Ali
Matt Winter
Matt is the Vice President and one of the founders of North Western Volleyball Club. With over ten years of coaching experience, Matt is an NCCP recognized Advanced Development Indoor Coach who strives to build positive personal relationships with athletes to better their long-term development. Matt hopes to continue providing athletes with a positive club volleyball experience that extends their love for the sport beyond their time as an athlete.
Having trained as a setter and a libero during his playing days, Matt has continued his love for the sport by transitioning to the coaching side. As a coach he pushes athletes to their limits so that they in turn can set new ones and achieve new heights.
Currently a teacher, Matt started coaching club volleyball in 2014, and has coached age groups ranging from U15 through U18 teams.
Matt has found many successful achievements including a silver medal at Provincials, and a gold medal at Nationals.
Favourite Quote:
“Do or do not, there is no try.” –– Master Yoda
Natalie Laser
Natalie started playing volleyball at the age of 12 with the Volleydome’s Dome Club program. She then played all throughout school and 4 years of club. She was an outside hitter for the majority of playing career, but also gained experience as a libero. What Natalie lacked in height, she made up for in hard work and determination! Natalie has always loved the sport of volleyball and the friendships that come with being part of a team. She found a passion in playing, which translated into her coaching.
Natalie began coaching 4 years ago, starting with the atomic age level and helping develop basic skills from a young age. Since then she has coached 3 years of club with the Wolves and has found a new love for the sport, within this a new role. A current Mount Royal University student, Natalie is in the Bachelors of Nursing program and still finds ways to make coaching work!
As a coach, Natalie hopes to develop each athlete and their skills, foster a love for volleyball, and create the same positive and fun club experience that she had as an athlete.
Favourite Quote:
“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” –– William Shakespeare
Maddy Mueller
Maddy has been an athlete all her life but started her youth volleyball career at the age of 14 playing in the Volleydome’s Dome Club program. She then continued with playing through high school and 4 years of club. Maddy played as a middle throughout her playing career and finished off her club career playing for the Wolves in their inaugural year. She is very passionate about the sport volleyball and puts all her time and effort into things she loves. She knew that her next role as a coach in the sport she loved would be a perfect fit.
Maddy began coaching in 2018, starting with the Atomic program for young athletes (9-12 years of age) by teaching the basic volleyball and athletic skills. She coached this program two years in a row. Working with new players really gave her a taste for coaching. This helped pave the way for her to continue her coaching with the Wolves for 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 club seasons.
Jimmy Dang
Jimmy has been playing sports since grade school; including Badminton, Volleyball, Rugby and Track & Field. He has been playing volleyball for over 20 years.
He has coached both Badminton and Volleyball at the Jr. High School level and was able to lead his teams to provincials.
Jimmy’s coaching philosophy focuses on team unity, accountability, mental and emotional toughness, and sportsmanship. He enjoys teach the more technical aspects of the sport as well as building character both as an individual and as a team.
Favourite Quote:
“We do not remember days, we remember moments” –– Cesare Pavese
Kyleigh Tempany
Kyleigh started playing volleyball when she was 13 when she tried out for her school’s team. Although at the time she was busy with other sports, she found her way to club volleyball.
As a middle blocker, Kyleigh played with a singular focus, “always looking to improve”. The close connections Kyleigh formed with her teammates throughout her club career was what drove her to improve as well as sparked the urge to continue in the volleyball world. Her own club career ended the best way possible, with a gold medal at Nationals!
As a student at the University of Calgary, Kyleigh is working towards a dual degree; a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education. She feels this will help her improve as a coach since she has the opportunity to take many courses that pertain to coaching/teaching and the sport environment.
As a coach, Kyleigh continues to give back to the volleyball community by coaching junior high and high school volleyball teams as well as club teams.
Kyleigh’s motivation to coach is seeing athletes smiling and having fun while improving and learning new things. She strives to create the same fun and encouraging environment for her athletes that she had as a player. Kyleigh loves watching athletes grow their love for the sport while improving their skill and making new friendships with teammates.
Favourite Quote:
Push yourself because no one is going to do it for you — Anonymous