17U BLAZE

17U BLAZE ATHLETES
17U BLAZE COACHES
Nickolas Peterson
Head Coach 17U Blaze
This is Nick’s second year coaching at Smash, but 20th year coaching volleyball overall. Last season with Smash he took a newly formed team to 19th in the province which was a fulfilling accomplishment. All of Nick’s previous experience comes from working in the Halton District School Board at Oakville Trafalgar High School and Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary. He’s been fortunate to have a great deal of success at the regional and provincial level, winning multiple Halton Jr & Sr titles while also having strong finishes at OFSAA.
Nick is originally from the United States and played at a highly competitive level in Baseball, Basketball, and Volleyball starting at age 5. His playing years were in the State of Indiana where he attended Indiana University and met his wife of 23 years. He moved to Canada in 2005 where he began his teaching and coaching career and he has two daughters named Camryn (who plays for Smash) and Bryn.
Nick is a development coach that wants an aggressive offense and tough defense. His philosophy is to teach and give the necessary tools for success to the players during practice, so they can be confident and comfortable in their abilities during games. For players to reach their full potential they need to develop both their skill and their mental game. As a teacher he strives to fill the players with confidence so they’re hungry to learn and improve day in and day out. A team will go as far as the group’s passion and connectedness will allow them. When you enjoy who you’re playing for and playing with, growth is exponential.
Zandra Bear-Lowen
Assistant Coach 17U Blaze
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.











