Coaches
The coaches for COWA are here to provide a high level of professional guidance and support for our athletes. All of our coaches are volunteers and are required to have up to date Criminal Record Checks. As well, all of our coaches are certified (or in training working towards certification) with the NCCP - National Coaching Certification Certification program.
Level | Coaches/Managers | Contact |
In School Elementary Grade 3 - 6 |
Tim Taylor & Al McAvena - Casorso Elementary Kristie Bjorgan & Al McAvena - Glenmore Elementary
|
250-212-4969 Or contact schools for more information. |
Junior Club Gr K-3
Gr 4-7
|
Avery Smart, Danny Illichmann, Mike Godwin
Mark Zumbo K-7 Manager
Liisa Wainman, Tristan Ferguson, Tim Taylor
|
liisa_wainman@yahoo.ca 289-489-0770
|
SD 23 BCSS Team & Senior Club Gr 8-12 |
Al McAvena, Michael Vallido, Jacob Wall
|
amcavena@shaw.ca 250-212-4969 |
Avery Smart - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3
HEAD COACHAccreditation:
NCCP Community Coach Certified
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training
Experience & Bio
This is Avery's eighth year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and second year helping with the Junior program. Avery is a past Provincial and National Champion.
Danny Illichmann - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3
Accreditation:
NCCP Community Coach in Training
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training
Experience & Bio
This is Dan's fifteenth year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and third year helping with the Junior program. Dan is a past Provincial and National medalist.
Mike Godwin - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3
Accreditation:
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training
Experience & Bio
This is Mike's first year coaching with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association. Mike has coached football for twenty seven years and weightlifting for twenty years.
Liisa Wainman - Junior Club Coach - Gr 4-7
HEAD COACHAccreditation:
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training - Part A Complete
Experience & Bio
This is Liisa's eleventh year coaching and her fourth year coaching with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association. As a wrestler Liisa won many Provincials Championships. She also twice medaled at the U19 Canadian Championships and also won two Junior Canadian Championships. Liisa medaled at the 2010 Cadet Pan-American Championships and also represented Canada at the 2012 and 2013 Junior World Championships.
Tristan Ferguson - Junior Club Coach - Gr 4 - 7
Accreditation:
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training - Part A Complete
Experience & Bio:
This is Tristan's second year coaching with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and third year as a member of the COWA.
Tim Taylor - Casorso Elementary School & Junior Club Coach - Gr 4 -7
Accreditation:
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training
Experience & Bio
This is Tim's fifth year being involved with wrestling and first year coaching with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association.
Mark Zumbo - Junior Club Manager - Gr K-7
Experience & Bio
This is Mark's seventh year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and second year managing the Junior program. Mark is a past Provincial medalist.
Al McAvena - Casorso Elementary School, Glenmore Elementary School, SD 23 BCSS Team & Senior Club Coach - Gr 8-12
HEAD COACHAccreditation:
NCCP Community Sports Coach Certified
NCCP Competition Introduction Certified
NCCP Competition Development Certified
Experience & Bio:
This is Coach Al’s fiftieth year coaching wrestling. The last thirty two have been with SD #23 and the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association. Al has coached many medalists at Provincial and National Championships. Al has also been selected as a member of Canada’s coaching staff to World Championships on two occasions. Al is currently the Okanagan Valley School Athletic Association Wrestling Commissioner and the Thompson-Okanagan Zone Rep on the BCSS Sport Advisory Committee.
Michael Vallido - SD 23 BCSS Team & Senior Club Coach - Gr 8-12
Accreditation:
NCCP Community Sports Coach Certified
NCCP Competition Introduction In Training
Experience & Bio
Michael has been involved with the Central Okanagan Wrestling association for nine years. This is his fifth year coaching with SD #23 and COWA's Senior program. Michael is a former U Sports Championship medalist.
Jacob Wall - SD 23 BCSS Team & Senior Club Coach - Gr 8-12
Accreditation:
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training
Experience & Bio:
This is Jacob's eighth year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and sixth year as a coach. Jacob is a past provincial medalist.
Mike Griesbeck- School District #23 - Gr 8-12
Teacher Sponsor
Experience & Bio:
This is Mike's twelve year as the teacher sponsor for the BCSS wrestling program. He is a teacher at Kelowna Secondary School. Mike is a past provincial wrestling champion.
Kristie Bjorgan - Glenmore Elementary School Coach & Club Registrar
Kristie is in her third year of coaching at Glenmore Elementary School. Kristie is a two time provincial and National Champion while in high school. She was also was a Junior National Champion and represented Canada at the Junior World Championships where she finished fifth.
Julian Di Palma - Web Developer
Accreditation:
NCCP Competition Introduction in Training - Part A Complete
Experience & Bio:
Julian has been involved with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association for eleven years. Julian is a past provincial medalist.