WELLAND, Ont. - Tuesday, April 23 saw the Niagara College
Department of Athletics & Recreation announce the contract
renewal of Nathan Groenveld as the head coach of
the Niagara College men's volleyball program.
Groenveld has served has the Knights head coach since 2010, and
during the 2012-13 season guided the men's volleyball program to a
14-4 record, an OCAA West Division title, and a fifth-place finish
at the CCAA national championship hosted by Niagara College.
A native of Welland, Ont., Coach Groenveld played five seasons
with the McMaster University Marauders where he was named OUA
Player of the Year and a CIS First-Team All-Canadian. He then
joined the Canadian senior national team for three seasons, and
competed professionally in Qatar.
"I'm excited to return for the upcoming season. The core group of
returning players and one of the strongest recruiting classes in
recent years, will position the program to contend in both the
competitive OCAA West Division and for a CCAA medal," commented
Groenveld.
Niagara College Manager of Athletics & Recreation
Matthew Davies added, "Coach Groenveld has done a
tremendous job growing our men's volleyball program, and we are
very proud to have him back on board as our head coach."
Groenveld was also named the 2013 Ralph Nero Memorial Award winner
for his dedication to student-athlete recruitment and retention.
The 2012-13 men's volleyball program had an academic average of 74
per cent and a course pass rate of 94 per cent. Additionally,
Shayne Petrusma was named a 2012-13 SIRC-CCAA
Academic All-Canadian.
Davies continued, "Nathan is extremely passionate about the
student-athlete experience that we offer at Niagara College, and
has done a terrific job recruiting an elite group of
student-athletes who we expect to excel both on and off the court.
We are also very excited to see the program increase its presence
in the community through camps, clinics, programming, and alumni
events."
Coach Groenveld and members of the Niagara College men's
volleyball program will lead two sections of the NC Kids College
summer camp program from August 12-16 and August 19-23.
Groenveld added, "the men's volleyball program has always received
fantastic support from the Niagara community, and I'm excited be a
part of increased community programming and events over the next
year."
Source: Niagara College