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 Wrestling Coaching Certification program.

 

 

 

 

Liisa Wainman - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3

HEAD COACH

Accreditation:

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training - Part A Complete

Experience & Bio

This is Liisa's third year coaching with the club. As a wrestler Liisa 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.

 

Avery Smart - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3

Accreditation:

NCCP Community Coach Certified

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training

Experience & Bio 

This is Avery's seventh year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and fist year helping with the Junior program.   Avery is a past provincial and National medalist.

 

 

Dan Illichmann - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3

Accreditation:

NCCP Community Coach in Training 

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training

Experience & Bio 

This is Dan's fourteenth year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and second year helping with the Junior program.  Dan is a past provincial and national medalist.

 

Ryan Wiley - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3

Accreditation:

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training

Experience & Bio 

This is Ryan's seventh year being involved with wrestling and first year coaching with the club.

 

  

Jacob Wall - Junior Club Coach - Gr 4-7

Accreditation:

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training

Experience & Bio:

 This is Jacob's seventh year with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and fifth year helping with the Junior program.  Jacob is a past provincial medalist.

 

 

Tristan Ferguson - Junior Club Coach - Gr 4 - 7

 Accreditation:

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training - Part A Complete

Experience & Bio:

This is Tristan's first year coaching with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association and second year as a member of the club.

 

 

 Al McAvena - Senior Club Coach - Gr 8-12

HEAD COACH

Accreditation:

NCCP Community Sports Coach Certified

NCCP Competition Introduction Certified

NCCP Competition Development Certified

Experience & Bio:

This is Coach Al’s forty ninth year coaching wrestling. The last thirty one have been with SD #23 and the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association. Al has coached many medalists at National Championships.  Al has also been a member of Canada’s coaching staff to World Championships on two occasions.

 

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Michael Vallido - 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 eight years. This is his fourth year coaching with SD #23 and COWA's Senior program. Michael is a former U Sports Championship medalist.

 

 

Erin Thiessen - Belgo - Gr 3-6

Accreditation:

NCCP Competition Introduction in Training - Part A Complete

Experience & Bio

This is Erin's second year coaching with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association. Erin is a former Simon Fraser University wrestler.

 

 

Julian Di Palma - Web Developer

 

Experience & Bio:

Julian has been involved with the Central Okanagan Wrestling Association for ten years. He has completed NCCP Competition Introduction Training - Part A.

 

Kristie Bjorgan - Registrar & Glenmore Coach

 

Mike Griesbeck- School District #23 - Gr 8-12

Teacher Sponsor