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.

 

 

 

 

Avery Smart - Junior Club Coach - Gr K-3

HEAD COACH

Accreditation:

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 COACH

Accreditation:

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 COACH

Accreditation:

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.