Coaches' Corner

Coaching at WLMAC: 17 years
Currently Coaching or Coached:  Basketball, Rugby, Tier 2 Baseball, Girls Softball
Coaching Philosophy: Coaching has afforded me the opportunity to work with athletes in the NCAA and CIS but coaching at Mac has always felt like home. I didn't always want to be a teacher, but always knew I wanted to coach. And like many of Mackenzie's amazing coaching staff, my journey started as an athlete and I am forever indebted to the coaches who spent the time and effort to instil the valuable lessons that sport has to offer.  Some of those coaches are still here at Mac.  As coaches, we have the unique opportunity to shape the character of our athletes through hard work, dedication, setting high expectations and being relentless in our commitment to help students realize their potential both in the classroom and on the field of play.  And while winning is definitely fun, it's the process, the grind, the preparation that are the valuable takeaways.  "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard." 

Coaching at WLMAC: 26 years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Soccer,  Rugby
Coaching Philosophy: Ms. Kerr really only knows one sport... Soccer.  She started playing soccer when she was 6 years old and continues to play today, both indoor and outdoor, all year long.  She played rep soccer for Pickering back in the 80's and was even captain of her university varsity team. Her coaching career started back in 1999 when she was a student teacher at Etobicoke School for the Arts.  Please don't ask her to coach anything else, especially volleyball.  Her coaching philosophy focuses mainly on good sportsmanship - play fair and treat your team-mates and opponents with respect. 

Coaching at WLMAC: 8 Years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Volleyball, Badminton, Ultimate Frisbee
Coaching Philosophy: I have a genuine passion for coaching as it provides me the opportunity to give back to some of the sports that profoundly impacted my life. The sport of volleyball has opened so many doors, built countless connections, and allowed me to coach and compete at a very high level. I strongly believe that deliberate and intentional preparation will equip all athletes to succeed both in their sport and life. Athletes need to fall in love with the process and grind to truly see the results they aspire to achieve. 

Coaching at WLMAC:
Currently Coaching or Coached: Ultimate Frisbee, Badminton
Coaching Philosophy: I am involved in sports because I enjoy forming relationships with students in order to mentor them and help them become better communicators and leaders in all aspects of their lives. 

Coaching at WLMAC: Nearly 20 years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Hockey, X-Country, Track & Field, Baseball
Coaching Philosophy: I've been proudly coaching at MAC since I got here.  Growing up playing a ton of sports, I know what an important role sports (and athletic activity in general) can play in our lives, from skill development and confidence, to character, discipline, and many other vital life skills and lessons.  Teaching and learning with our school's athletes is a huge privilege for me, and the staff in Phys Ed are pretty awesome people, too ;) 

Coaching at WLMAC: 12 years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Ski/Snowboard, Track and Field, Slo-pitch
Coaching Philosophy: Growing up, athletics played a major role in my life. My main focus was track and field where I competed nationally and internationally, but I also played some fast pitch at the provincial level. Coaching afforded me the opportunity to contribute to these sports on a different level and allowed me to ignite the same passion that I have, in many of my athletes. I was fortunate enough to have had coaches in my life who made a positive impact and I strive to do the same with my athletes. The best part about coaching at Mac is being able to create a rapport with student-athletes outside of the classroom, and watching them develop their skills and their love for their sport.

Coaching at WLMAC: 8 years
Currently Coaching or Coached:  XC, Track and Field, Wrestling
Coaching Philosophy: I truly believe you get out of it what you put into it, and our Lyons are some of the hardest working athletes I have had the privilege of coaching. 

Coaching at WLMAC: 4 Years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Soccer, Indoor Soccer, Junior Girls/Boys Volleyball  
Coaching Philosophy: Coaching has always been one of the greatest privileges during my brief teaching career. As a former competitive athlete and now educator, I try to instill how hard work, process oriented, commitment, and dedication to your team can not only lead to success in athletics but also back into the classroom. I’m a firm believer in the approach to athletics will shape how to handle adversity and the challenges of life.  

Coaching at WLMAC: Too Long
Currently Coaching or Coached: Rugby and Soccer  
Coaching Philosophy: I was told when I started teaching, that coaching would enrich my teaching experience, that the best years of my life would be spent not inside a classroom but rather on a field, in the mud, in the snow, in the sleet, in the rain, and in the hail :) But, if truth be known, I would never trade a day of coaching for the world. Coaching has inspired the best of us, has given me the best of friendships and every lasting memories worthy of a Friday Night Lights episode. 

Coaching at WLMAC: 5 years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Ultimate Frisbee, Running Club
Coaching Philosophy: The best part about coaching is getting to know more students and witnessing their talent, their development, their grit and resilience, and most of all, watching students make new friends and develop their team identity. 

Coaching at WLMAC: 3 years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Slo-pitch  
Coaching Philosophy: My coaching journey began in 2022 with the varsity girls softball team at York Mills Collegiate. I began coaching because I wanted to contribute more to the school community and I had missed softball. At the time, I hadn't played since I was in high school myself.
I've always been an enjoyer of sports though I've never played any at a high level. I enjoy playing volleyball and softball the most, and I played both of these on my high school's team. I continue to play both sports outside of school recreationally.
As a coach, I am a firm believer in the transformative influence of sports on students' lives, fostering skill development not only within the game but also outside of it. I emphasize the pivotal role sports play in shaping a student's character, boosting confidence, honing teamwork skills, and instilling a sense of commitment. Through coaching, my goal is to guide students in cultivating these essential attributes. I strive to be a coach that empowers students to do their best and one that helps them understand the importance of being part of a collective. 

Coaching at WLMAC: Approx. 10 years
Currently Coaching or Coached:  Cricket, Girls Basketball. Ski Team, Baseball
Coaching Philosophy: I got into coaching as a teacher at Vaughan Road Academy in my first year teaching. I taught a grade 11 law class which had 3 students goofy boys who were throwing pencils at each other, one hit a pop can and caused a leak/explosion all over the room. I asked the three boys to clean it up and see me after school. Only one boy did so and came after school. Later that year he approached me asking if I would be the baseball coach. I explained that I knew very little about baseball as I never played it, BUT to show you that "what comes around goes around", I coached the team for the next 2 years, until that student graduated! I believe that one must give back to the community that provided an opportunity for them to experience sports during their development years. (My parents stood at the side of the ski hill freezing their "bagonias off"  as gate keepers all to support me during my competitive downhill ski racing days.  What comes around goes around!!

WLM is an awesome school to be a coach. Respect, dedication and level of compete from the students/players is what separates this school from other schools!!  I have coached at many other schools during my teaching career...... win/lose/draw is irrelevant (winning the Championship or just playing for fun!! )...... the most important things I look for in a great season.... respecting the coach and trying your best.....That is all I ever ask!!!!!! 

Coaching at WLMAC:  2 years
Currently Coaching or Coached:  Ultimate Frisbee
Coaching Philosophy: I began coaching the ultimate frisbee team in March 2023 after three years of bugging Coach Hua. I wanted young athletes to have the highschool opportunities that I didn’t. Knowing that my friends at other schools were ahead of our game, I couldn’t let that continue.

I’ve been playing competitively for about 6 and a half years. I helped as a coach at Toronto Ultimate Club when I was 18 and wanted to teach kids to find passion for the sport, but I was just an assistant. When I came to wlmac, it was the first time I was truly the head coach of a team.

Back in 2022, my cardio was the worst on the team, and I felt like I was going to vomit after just a basic drill. Instead of judgment, my coach showed empathy. He told me it happens to everyone, brought my water bottle over, and told me to lay down and watch the clouds. I want to have that level of empathy towards my students.

If you could choose between being right or being kind, choose to be kind. If you’re skilled, you should teach others to play and be patient with them. Secondly, don’t play for yourself. Play for the team. Instead of bugging the coach to put you on all the time, support the players who are on. During timeouts get them some water, fix their face paint, or just cheer. Coaches need to call up athletes in important games so that the team can win. Try to find ways to contribute beyond getting all the glory. 

Coaching at WLMAC: 1 Semester
Currently Coaching or Coached: Volleyball
Coaching Philosophy: I began coaching when I was in Grade 12. My high school’s Grade 9 volleyball team needed a coach without which they wouldn’t have had a season. Sport opened doors that I chose to walk through, doors that led to so many opportunities that simply would not have been possible for me. I knew that I had to give back to make sure those doors were opened for others. From that day on, I haven’t stopped! I have spent most of my life coaching: youth summer and March break camps with UofT; adult beach volleyball clinics; assistant coaching with York University and Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) women’s volleyball teams; regional and provincial beach volleyball programs; and of course, you will always find me on a court in the schools where I teach! I love sport. As an athlete, I learned so much about myself and life through sport (volleyball, hockey, soccer, basketball, softball, track & field, x-country, flag football). As a coach, I strive to facilitate meaningful learning experiences, to meet athletes where they are, to accept the growing pains (there are so many!), and most of all to appreciate the process. I think of Billie Jean King’s infamous “pressure is a privilege,” and I extend this to include the opportunity to compete in itself is a privilege. I hope that my athletes learn that every opportunity to compete is a gift and to enjoy the moment. It has been an honour to work with the Mackenzie athletes, athletics council, and staff. Thank you for welcoming me and making me feel like part of this amazing team! 

Coaching at WLMAC: Since Mid November 2023
Currently Coaching or Coached: Volleyball
Coaching Philosophy: Sports are what it is all about! I have played competitive sports for most of my life and do love coaching. What I love most about coaching is trying to instill admirable and redeeming qualities and characteristics in students. My goal is for students to have a great time while developing their leadership skills, improving their accountability to the team and helping them build meaningful relationships with their teammates. Coaching is a great way to get to know students outside of the classroom and develop connections through the love and passion for sport. 

Coaching at WLMAC: 1 year
Currently Coaching or Coached: Basketball
Coaching Philosophy: I'm a huge basketball fan, and it's my absolute pleasure to be helping coach the boys varsity basketball team! Although I have only been at Mac for a short while so far, I already feel so welcomed by everyone and a part of the team. I hope that the lessons our boys learn will be valuable exemplars that will assist them in both their personal lives and future careers as well!

Coaching at WLMAC: 19 years
Currently Coaching or Coached: Hockey, Baseball, Volleyball
Coaching Philosophy: Having coached for 29 years in TDSB, there are so many amazing memories that I have with students over the years. Being able to experience success with students outside the class is very fulfilling accomplishment. Seeing young grade 9 athletes mature and turn into responsible young adults by the time they graduate is great. I have been very fortunate to form friendships with former students and co-coaches, that for me, have become the most rewarding part of being in teaching.