September 10, 2021: Volleyball Canada is pleased to announce that Carolyn O’Dwyer has been named the women’s Next Gen coach.

"Carolyn O’Dwyer is a fantastic addition to our coaching staff," said Volleyball Canada’s women’s indoor head coach Shannon Winzer. "She brings with her a ton of energy and knowledge as well as experience working with this age group."

O’Dwyer will play a key role in training and preparation of the athletes in the National Excellence Program (September to December) and NextGen program (May to July). She will also be involved with identification and monitoring systems for all athletes in VC’s development pathway.

One of O’Dwyer’s first assignments will be at the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship in Durango, Mexico, from September 20-29 where she will serve as an assistant coach.

The Calgary, Alberta, native had an extensive playing career, beginning with her club days with the Junior Dinos Volleyball Club where she helped the team to three-straight National Championships (2010-2012). She then played with Mount Royal University where she was named Rookie of the Year. In addition, O’Dwyer played for Team Alberta, winning both Canada Summer Games and NTCC gold medals. She also played for both Youth and Junior National Teams, from 2010-2012.

After her playing career, she stepped immediately into a coaching role, serving as an assistant coach for Mount Royal University from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, she was named a head coach for Volleyball Alberta, winning a bronze at the 2018 Canada Cup with the 17U women and a silver at the 2019 Western Canada Games with the 16U women.

Also in 2017, she was named the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Alberta Pandas women’s volleyball team, helping the program to a 2018 USPORTS silver medal and 2019 USPORT bronze. In 2019, she was named the Executive Director and head coach for the Pandas Volleyball Club. In 2020, she completed her Masters of Kinesiology in Coaching at the University of Alberta. O’Dwyer has worked with Volleyball Canada since 2014, serving as the Senior Girls Regional Excellence Program head coach.

"Carolyn’s experience as an athlete and coach in Canada, as well as her commitment to ongoing growth, education and development, make her a great choice for this important role within our program,” said Volleyball Canada indoor high performance director, Julien Boucher. “Working with head coach Shannon Winzer, it will be a key position to support players through their transition to playing on the international stage."

The women’s team is based at the Richmond Olympic Oval in British Columbia.

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
Mobile: 613.794.7676

Photo: Robert Antoniuk (O'Dwyer is centre)