2012 17U/18U MALE TEAM COACH OF THE YEAR

Mark Maris has been coaching the NAVC Bears for the past five seasons and in that time, has won five consecutive Provincial Titles and two National Championships. Outside of his coaching skills and knowledge of the game, Mark’s commitment to the team is second to none and his dedication can only be described as inspiring.  

Mark has a talent for transferring his knowledge to the boys he coaches. His practices and training sessions are consistently well thought out, high energy, and highly focused and competitive. Mark brings in guest coaches to complement his coaching style and improve his athletes’ skills from a fresh perspective. He has also arranged exhibition games against college and university level players to continuously challenge his athletes. Mark offers a level of excellence in coaching, both in physical skills and mental preparedness. Coach Maris is assertive, but holds a calm presence and level head in practices and on the bench. Instead of losing his temper, Mark uses opportunities to teach strategically and encourage his athletes to achieve their potential. 

More importantly, Mark has instilled hard work and dedication into his athletes and has taught them the skills necessary to work well as a team. He expects nothing less than good sportsmanship and respect for opposing teams, and has been both a role model and mentor, treating other competitors, coaches, and officials in a professional manner.  He has consistently achieved a high level of success with his teams while emphasizing the importance of team play. At many of the tournaments over the past season, Mark utilized each athlete in a significant way. This was not only a strategic play to counteract the opponents strengths or weaknesses, but also a decision to keep his athletes alert, competitive, and cohesive as an entire unit. As a result, his boys have developed humility and leadership, and every single athlete to play for him in the past five years has returned to try out for his team the next season.  

It is apparent by the two hour drive Mark travels from Edson to Edmonton each practice that he has an unyielding dedication to his team. Mark knows how to develop champions, and parents and players alike have credited him as one of the top coaches in club volleyball. Mark Maris is this year’s “Mikasa 18U Coach of the Year”