Coach Zandra’s long coaching career has developed both Indigenous and non-Indigenous athletes on and off the court. This past summer, her “Native Dream Team” won a BRONZE medal at the Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia, Division 2. She also won a GOLD medal at the All Nations Indigenous Volleyball Showcase with the New Zealand Aotearoa Maori Poierwa Volleyball club. Last season with Smash, they took a newly formed team all the way to a 19th rank in the province, which was an amazing accomplishment. These are significant milestones that empower youth through the sport of volleyball.

Her journey as a player, from earning a bronze medal at the Canada Games for Team Manitoba to her College playing experience at Vancouver Island University, also adds a valuable perspective to her coaching. As a part of her continuous growth, she is aspiring to achieve her “Advanced Development Coach” certification.

Zandra has a daughter playing for the varsity women’s volleyball team at the University of Guelph, a son who plays varsity men’s basketball at the University of Waterloo, and a daughter who is on the 17U Smash Blaze team.

Two approaches define her coaching philosophy. Her first approach includes the technical skills needed to be a good player and teammate. Essential at higher levels of volleyball, you need to always be a student of the game, to be open to learn and grow as a player. She helps to prioritize hard work, teamwork, and respect for each other to defeat opponents. Her second approach to her coaching philosophy is based on her belief that volleyball is more than just a sport. It’s a tool for building lasting friendships, self-improvement, and character development. She aims to create a positive, supportive environment where athletes can grow to reach their full potential in themselves as volleyball players, but also as better people after they leave the court.
Some of her core principles include:
Gratitude: Appreciating the good things in life and expressing thankfulness.
Patience: Accepting that things may take time and not everything happens immediately.
Kindness: Being kind to others is showing them respect, empathy, and compassion.
Humility: Being modest and recognizing that one’s knowledge and abilities are limited.
Health: Taking Care of your whole self (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually) is fundamental to your overall quality of life.
Happiness: Pursuing joy and fulfillment in daily life and relationships.
Harmony: Interconnectedness and balance, encouraging a state of well-being and collaboration among people, elements, or systems. It encourages a sense of wholeness where different parts function together seamlessly, creating a harmonious and beneficial outcome.