WHAT IS CLUB VOLLEYBALL?
Club Volleyball provides opportunities for players and coaches to train and compete in amateur volleyball beyond the school season. The BC club season runs from January to May, with many clubs hosting try outs in mid-November to mid-December.
Mariners Volleyball Club teams will train as teams and will compete in Volleyball BC events throughout BC during the indoor club season. MVC runs competitive club programs for boys and girls ages 14-18. Club tryouts are typically held across a number of weeks from the middle of November to early December depending on the age category and the Volleyball BC season of play dates.
Club teams are competitive programs and only a certain number of travelling teams will form, which means not all athletes will make a competitive club team. Each travelling team roster will carry a maximum of 12 athletes. Athletes that tryout for 14U girls and 15/16U girls competitive club teams, but do not make the traveling club teams, will be given first priority to register for MVC house league programs. If spots remain in the house league program, registration will then be made available to the general public.
Visit our Club Volleyball FAQs page here
2026 MARINERS VOLLEYBALL CLUB COACHES ANNOUNCED!
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Female Team Coaches:
14U - 16U Female Athlete Support & Development Coach
The Mariners Volleyball Club is excited to announce that Kyla Richey will be working with our 14U-16U Female programs for the 2026 Club Season. Kyla will be providing both athlete and coach support throughout the season.
In addition to working directly with teams and coaches, Kyla will also collaborate with Gustavo Castillo to deliver position specific training for 14U-15U Female athletes participating on Mariners Volleyball Club teams.
As a former National Team athlete with extensive international playing experience and leadership, we are incredibly fortunate to have Kyla contributing her expertise to empower and inspire our young female athletes through sport.
14U Female Performance Team - Elise Keeping - Head Coach
Elise is a proud alumnus of Mariners Volleyball Club and a former Team BC Regional program athlete. In 2015, she helped lead the Ladysmith 49ers to their first-ever Provincial Championship medal, earning silver. Elise has since given back to the sport through coaching roles at John Barsby and NDSS, contributing to a 4th-place Provincial finish in 2021. Within the club, she has coached athletes from Grade 3 to Senior Girls and has played a key role in the youth development programs at MVC. Elise has also served as both a head and assistant coach in the Volleyball BC Regional program and led the BC Summer Games Island Beach team. Off the court, she is an elementary school teacher in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district and brings both care and structure to everything she does.
14U Female Club Team - Sydnee Keeping - Head Coach
Sydnee has been a dedicated coach with Mariners Volleyball Club for the past five years. Known for her positive energy and ability to connect with young athletes, she plays a key role in both our youth indoor and beach programs. Her experience working with diverse children through the Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization (NUKO) has further strengthened her skill in supporting athletes of all backgrounds. A former MVC athlete, Sydnee’s volleyball journey began within the club and continued at John Barsby Secondary, where she helped lead her team to two Provincial Championship appearances and competed at the BC Summer Games. As a coach, she has guided teams from 14U to 16U and continues to develop her coaching craft alongside MVC Youth Manager Gustavo Castillo.
15U Female Performance Team - Stephen Epp - Head Coach
Stephen is the current Executive Director of the Mariners Volleyball Club and previously served as the Regional Manager for Volleyball BC for nine years. Over his coaching career, he has guided teams to numerous accomplishments, these include winning a High School Provincial Championship with NDSS, multiple youth beach provincial gold medals, and a National Championship with the 18U Team BC Girls program. Stephen was also part of the coaching staff for the Malaspina/VIU Mariners Men’s Volleyball Program during their stretch of multiple Provincial Championships and a National Silver Medal finish. He has been recognized by Volleyball BC as both the Athlete Development Coach of the Year and the 14U Coach of the Year.
15U Female Club Team - Maggie Wood - Head Coach
Maggie has been part of the Mariners Volleyball Club community for many years, beginning her volleyball journey in the MVC Train & Play program and continuing from 14U through 18U. She competed on the 18U Performance Team for two seasons and served as captain for both the MVC Performance Team and NDSS in her senior year before playing post-secondary volleyball in the CCAA. Maggie began giving back to the club by coaching Train & Play sessions and assisting with Spring Break Camps. Her leadership and dedication were recognized when she received the MVC Athletic Scholarship. An aspiring teacher, Maggie is passionate about helping young athletes grow in a positive, inclusive environment, fostering both skill development and personal growth on and off the court.
16U Female Performance Team - Ryan Orton - Head Coach
Ryan has over 30 years of volleyball experience as a player, coach and program leader. He represented Team BC and also played for White Rock VBC at the 1991 Junior Olympics before playing at Malaspina College (now VIU) and later at the University of Victoria.
On the beach, Ryan earned multiple top-five finishes in pro/open-level events and won titles at Western Canadian Triples and Kelowna Grass Triples. He began coaching in 1991 and has led high school, club, college and beach volleyball programs.
Ryan has guided over 20 high school girls’ teams to Provincial Championships and founded the Vancouver Island Beach Volleyball Academy (VIBA) in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Education and Master’s in Leadership and Administration. Currently a teacher and athletic director in School District 68, Ryan is known for building high-performance environments focused on accountability, feedback and strong team culture.
16U Female Club Team - Payton Lundine - Head Coach
Payton has been part of the Mariners Volleyball Club family starting in our Train & Play programs in Grade 5 and continuing through to her senior year. A passionate athlete turned coach, she now shares that same love for the game as an assistant coach for the NDSS Senior Girls Volleyball Team, a MVC programming coach and as a coach within both the NDSS Beach Volleyball Academy and MVC Beach Programs.
After her high school and club career, Payton continued her volleyball journey in California, competing in beach volleyball for MiraCosta College and gaining valuable experience at the collegiate level. Inspired by the positive influence of her former MVC female coaches, she strives to create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages athletes to grow, compete with confidence and continue to love the sport.
With a strong connection between sport and education, Payton is pursuing teaching career, aiming to inspire and guide young people in the classroom and on the court.
Coming Soon - 18U Female Team Coaches...
Male Team Coaches:
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13U Male Club Team - Chris Densmore - Head Coach
Chris brings over 30 years of experience in sport administration and coaching. Prior to joining Mariners Volleyball Club, he served as CEO of Volleyball BC for over eight years, providing leadership in governance, operations and fiscal responsibility. On the coaching side, Chris led the VIU Men’s Volleyball program from 2001–2010 and returned periodically as an assistant coach between 2016–2024. He has coached both indoor and beach volleyball for Team BC, including appearances at the 2005 Canada Games and the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games. Internationally, Chris has represented Canada by coaching at the U19 and U21 World Beach Championships. Now coaching his son Mason at the club level, Chris continues to mentor young coaches and contribute his deep knowledge of the sport to the volleyball community.
13U Male Club Team - Chad Buhr - Head Coach
Chad has been passionate about volleyball since his elementary school years, developing both as a player and leader through years of club volleyball and high school competition in Alberta. Chad’s Club Team earned a Provincial Gold Medal at the 17U level and he went on to win another Provincial Gold title while playing at Trinity Western University in the Canada West/U-Sport league. After competing for a season at TWU, Chad turned his focus to coaching, leading the Argyle Secondary School Senior Girls Volleyball Team from 2001 to 2008 and working with athletes of various ages in club programs throughout North Vancouver. Believing that sport is one of the best teachers of life skills, Chad strives to create a positive, growth-oriented environment where athletes are encouraged to challenge themselves, support one another and grow into both better players and better people.
14U Male Club Team - Kristian Owen - Head Coach
A dedicated coach with the club for the past three years, Kristian brings a wealth of experience, energy, and passion to his role. His understanding of both the game and the needs of young athletes makes him a perfect fit to facilitate our youth programs. As a coach, Kristian excels at connecting with young athletes, fostering their growth both on and off the court. His leadership is defined by a focus on skill development, teamwork and creating an environment where players feel motivated and supported. In his MVC role as Youth Program Coordinator, Kristian has work closely with our coaching staff and technical team to ensure a cohesive, structured and positive experience for our athletes. His commitment to continuous improvement, both for himself and his players, will help create a clear path for athlete progression within the club.
14U Male Club Team - Quinn Taylor - Head Coach
Originally from Saskatchewan, Quinn grew up immersed in volleyball, competing on club, school and provincial teams before completing his playing career with the University of Regina Men’s Volleyball Team. His experiences as an athlete shaped a deep appreciation for teamwork, discipline and the lifelong benefits of sport participation. Transitioning to coaching three years ago, Quinn has since been involved in developing athletes in Surrey Since his move to Vancouver Island, Quinn is wanting to continue to hone his craft with the Mariners. Quinn is passionate about creating athlete-centered learning environments that promote both personal and athletic growth. He strives to inspire young players to discover their potential, love the game and carry the lessons learned on the court into all aspects of life.
14U Male Club Teams - Shawn Owen - Lead / Mentor Coach
Shawn is passionate about helping people realize their fullest potential, whether in athletics, business, or life. A former university athlete, Shawn has coached at every level, including high school, club, and at the varsity level with both Malaspina/VIU and UVic. His involvement in volleyball spans across coaching, mentoring, and program development. Outside of sport, Shawn owns and operates two successful businesses—one in health and nutrition and the other in corporate leadership consulting. Since 2008, he has coached and mentored individuals around the world, both in-person and on stage. Though deeply committed to his work, Shawn prioritizes giving back to the community and supporting young athletes through the Mariners Volleyball Club.
