Val Long

Director

Val hails from Etobicoke where she achieved all-star fame in many sports, including volleyball, at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate. Her playing experience includes playing varsity at the University of Waterloo, then excelling as captain and 5-1 setter for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and, finally, playing OVA A/AA club ball with TORONTO WEST. Over the years, Val and her teams won many medals and championships at provincial, national and international tournaments.

After teaching elementary school for a few years, Val returned to university. Graduating from U. of T. with an Honours Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree, she taught physical education while further developing her volleyball coaching skills, successfully completing Level 3 certification (Level 4 Technical) and Level 2 in Beach. Val's association with the 1984 Canadian Men's Olympic Volleyball Team head coach, Ken Maeda, led to her helping at some pre-olympic practices and conducting an informal motivational workshop in group dynamics with some national team players. Canada had a PB 4^th place finish in Los Angeles in 1984.

In 1985, Val was accepted into medical school at McMaster, but chose to tend to her soon to be expanding family, while still finding time to teach, coach and play some volleyball. Val specializes in cross-training fitness and referencing when coaching. Val has completed many courses in sports psychology and fitness & training techniques. Over the years, Val has been a volleyball coaching clinician and a certified volleyball official. Val is Level 2 certified in Gymnastics, and she is actively working towards Level 2 practical certification in Trampoline. Val is an accomplished drama instructor and danced for years at downtown Toronto studios. Val and husband, John, are the proud parents of Kathryn (24), Noah (20) and Byron (16).

During her 30+ years of active coaching, Val has distinguished herself by coaching many championship teams-- from grass-roots school teams, to provincial and national levels, to coaching an American Masters team at U.S. National Championships. Val can be credited with developing numerous university volleyball “Hall of Famers” as well as players of Olympic and professional calibre, notably 1984 Olympian, Alex Ketrzynski and Italian Pro All-Star, Australian 2000 Olympic Men's Head Coach and recent Canadian Men's National Team Head Coach, Stelio DeRocco.

Since her retirement from day-to-day teaching, Val keeps very busy with the technical and philosophical direction of TORONTO WEST and the artistic direction of the ISLINGTON YOUTH CLUB, while still finding time to assist Toronto West coaches and also serve on the Board of Directors for both organizations.