Coaches

National Coach

Below is our Head Coach and Program Director

illya

ILLYA KVASHA

Head Coach and Program Director

Illya is the Head Coach and Program Director of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

ILLYA KVASHA

Head Coach and Program Director

Illya is the Head Coach and Program Director of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • NCCP Comp-Intro Trained
  • Former Head Coach of the Ukrainian National Diving Team
  • 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist
  • 3 times World Championships Medalist
  • 9 Times European Champion
  • 40 times National Ukrainian Champion
  • Masters Degree Physical Education, Sport and Health
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Provincial Coaches

Below are our Provincial Coaches

brennan

BRENNAN VILLEMAIRE

Provincial Head Coach

Brennan is the Provincial Head Coach for the competitive stream of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

BRENNAN VILLEMAIRE

Provincial Head Coach

Brennan is the Provincial Head Coach for the competitive stream of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • 2016 Tier 2 Coach of the Year
  • NCCP Comp Dev Level 3 Trained
  • NCCP Certified Com-Intro Coach-Level 2
  • NLS (National Lifeguard Service)
  • 2007 Double Junior National Champion
  • 2008 Olympic Trials Finalist
  • Member Team Ontario – 2009 Canada Games
  • Member of the Canadian Jr National Team & Jr Pan American Team
  • Degree in Business Commerce
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kay

KAY NORDMAN

Kay is a Provincial Assistant Coach for the Ottawa National Diving Club.

KAY NORDMAN

Kay is a Provincial Assistant Coach for the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • NCCP Instructor Beginner Trained
  • Retired National Level Athlete
  • Platform finalist 2022 National Championships
  • Graduated with Honors – AY Jackson Secondary School
  • Learn-to-Dive Coach
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ADVANCED RECREATIONAL COACH

Below is our Advanced Recreational Coach

ben

BEN ETHIER

Ben is the Coach for the Advanced Recreational Diving Program with the Ottawa National Diving Club.

BEN ETHIER

Ben is the Coach for the Advanced Recreational Diving Program with the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • Functional Range Conditioning Certified – Mobility Specialist
  • Wellness Coach – IAP Career College
  • NCCP Comp-Intro Certified (Level 2)
  • NCCP Instructor Beginner Certified
  • NLS Certified
  • Personal Training Level 1 – Sports Performance Institute
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LEARN TO DIVE COACHES

Below are our Learn To Dive Coaches

charlize

CHARLIZE PYKA

Charlize is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CHARLIZE PYKA

Charlize is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

Credentials

  • NCCP Instructor Beginner Certified
  • Provincial Level Diver with ONDC
  • Student at Colonel By Secondary School – Honor Role
  • Fluent in both English and French
  • Volunteer Coach for U11 recreational soccer
  • Classroom Prep for Teachers
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emmanuelle

EMMANUELLE (MANI) ROBERGE-LE

Emmanuelle is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

EMMANUELLE (MANI) ROBERGE-LE

Emmanuelle is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • NCCP Instructor Beginner Trained
  • NLS, CPR-C, Standard First Aid and AODA Certified
  • National Level Athlete
  • Fluent in English and French Languages
  • Attending Ecole Secondaire Catholique Pierre Savard
  • Recipient of the 2022-23 Mark Burton, Coach of the Year for ONDC
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emily naftel 2

Emily Naftel

Emily is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

Emily Naftel

Emily is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • Former Provincial Diver for 3 years with ONDC
  • Combined 8 years experience as a coach and athlete
  • NCCP Instructor Beginner Certified
  • Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology certified personal trainer
  • College Graduate from Algonquin in Fitness and Health Promotion
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liv

LIV KELFORD

Liv is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

LIV KELFORD

Liv is a coach for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

Credentials

  • NCCP Instructor Beginner trained
  • Former Provincial Athlete with ONDC
  • Competitive Power tumbler with Tumblers Gymnastics Center
  • Fluent in French and English languages
  • Gymnastics Coach with Tumblers Gymnastics Center
  • Attending Literary Arts Program at Canterbury High School
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noah

NOAH BELFER

Noah is a coach in training for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

NOAH BELFER

Noah is a coach in training for the Learn to Dive program of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

Credentials

  • Advanced Recreational Diver for 7 years with ONDC
  • Algonquin College Studying Interior Design
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Alumni Coaches

Below are our Alumni Coaches

mary

MARY VILLEMAIRE

Mary is an Alumni Coach of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

MARY VILLEMAIRE

Mary is an Alumni Coach of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • NCCP Comp-Intro Certified
  • Gymnastics Level 2 Certified
  • Trampoline Level 2 Certified
  • Dive Ontario Coach of the Year
  • Provincial Champion and Eastern Canadian Champion Gymnastics (Level 9)
  • Ottawa Sports Award Recipient for Gymnastics
  • Bachelor of Science Degree – Laurentian University with Honors
  • Algonquin College – Veterinary Technician Diploma – Dean’s List
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kathleen

KATHLEEN MURPHY

Kathleen is an Alumni Coach of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

KATHLEEN MURPHY

Kathleen is an Alumni Coach of the Ottawa National Diving Club.

CREDENTIALS

  • Founder Ottawa National Diving Club
  • NCCP Comp-Intro Certified
  • Former Dive Ontario Executive Director
  • Mayor’s Cup Recipient for Volunteerism in Sport – 2018
  • Member of 1976 Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team
  • Ontario Volunteer Award for 25 years of service in Gymnastics – 2014
  • Dive Ontario – Volunteer of the Year – 2016/17
  • Member High Performance Committee – Dive Ontario
  • Competition Supervisor – Diving – Pan American Games Toronto 2015
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The National Coaching Certificate Program is recognized by the Coaches Association of Canada.