Coach Dawn’s love for the game has only deepened over the last three decades as both an athlete and coach. She is a former Varsity/University volleyball athlete and has continued to compete in women’s and co-ed leagues since university. Dawn is a trained development coach and has coached volleyball at the high school and club levels. Growing up, she was a multi-sport athlete and was the head coach of a Varsity/University women’s rugby program.
Professionally, Dawn is a Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Brock University, where her research and teaching focuses on women and girls’ participation in sport, inclusive coaching practices, and community sport governance. She has published several book chapters on these topics and led national initiatives while serving on the Canadian Gender+ Equity in Sport Research Hub. As a parent of two daughters, she is personally invested in creating meaningful opportunities for all young women in sport.
Dawn’s coaching philosophy is guided by Sport Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development model, with an emphasis on developing a love for the game and supporting athletes to be active for life. At the U13 level, her goal is to foster a skill-focused, positive environment. She will work to build a team culture grounded in respect, accountability, and sportsmanship, while nurturing personal growth and helping each player realize their potential both on and off the court.
