About the Authors
Ard Biesheuvel M.Ed.
Ard is a high school physical education teacher in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. After spending 11 years at the helm of the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) program, he transferred to Chinook High School in 2010. In Chinook’s first year in existence, he led his team to the league and zone championship. His Chinook teams went on to win six consecutive zone championships and the school's first provincial boys volleyball medal (bronze). He retired from coaching high school volleyball in 2016. While at LCI, Ard led his team to four straight appearances in the 4A provincial final (from 2006-2009), winning gold in 2007, when his team went 59-0. In 2011, this team was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame. During Ard’s time at LCI & Chinook, fifty percent of his graduating players received scholarships to play post-secondary volleyball. Ard has earned Southern Alberta High School League “Coach of the Year” honours eight times. Ard has also been involved with Team Alberta Provincial Program as both an assistant and a head coach. In 2009, he was part of the coaching staff when Alberta U19 Men won the National Team Challenge Cup. In 2015 Ard became the first high school coach to be selected to work with the U17 Canadian Youth National Team program. In 1990, Ard received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge. While at the university, Ard played both CIS volleyball and soccer. Upon graduation, Ard head coached the women’s volleyball program at Lethbridge Community College from 1990 to 1993. During this time he founded the Lethbridge Volleyball Club. In 1998 he received his Masters of Education from the University of Lethbridge. Ard is the founder and President of STARS Volleyball (www.starsvolleyball.ca). STARS Volleyball is a national after-school program that teaches elementary aged children how to play volleyball. Ard wrote the curriculum for STARS Volleyball. Ard was the Chair Person and Co-Author of Volleyball Canada’s Atomic Curriculum. In 2019 Ard was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in the builders category. Ard is married to Kim and together they have two children; Marcus and Samantha.
Mary Dyck, Ph.D.
Mary Dyck teaches Volleyball, Sport Psychology, Sport Sociology, Motor Learning and Sport Management at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She is currently the coach of the Immanuel Christian High School Eagles Girls Volleyball Team. In 2009, her team finished fourth in their school’s first every appearance at 2A provincials. She is a Level III NCCP coach in volleyball and soccer. After playing university volleyball, Mary began coaching in 1980 and has coached youth programs, college soccer teams, university soccer and volleyball teams and provincial soccer teams. In 1988, Mary was named Canada West Coach of the Year while coaching the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Women’s soccer team. Mary also coached Trinity Western University Spartans Women’s Team to the British Columbia Athletic Association Championship in 1992. Mary is a coaching course conductor for the Alberta Soccer Association and Alberta Volleyball Association, which allow her to meet and mentor new coaches. In 2020 Mary was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in the builders category. Mary is married to Phil and has two daughters, Jesse and Carly
Ard Biesheuvel M.Ed.
Ard is a high school physical education teacher in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. After spending 11 years at the helm of the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) program, he transferred to Chinook High School in 2010. In Chinook’s first year in existence, he led his team to the league and zone championship. His Chinook teams went on to win six consecutive zone championships and the school's first provincial boys volleyball medal (bronze). He retired from coaching high school volleyball in 2016. While at LCI, Ard led his team to four straight appearances in the 4A provincial final (from 2006-2009), winning gold in 2007, when his team went 59-0. In 2011, this team was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame. During Ard’s time at LCI & Chinook, fifty percent of his graduating players received scholarships to play post-secondary volleyball. Ard has earned Southern Alberta High School League “Coach of the Year” honours eight times. Ard has also been involved with Team Alberta Provincial Program as both an assistant and a head coach. In 2009, he was part of the coaching staff when Alberta U19 Men won the National Team Challenge Cup. In 2015 Ard became the first high school coach to be selected to work with the U17 Canadian Youth National Team program. In 1990, Ard received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge. While at the university, Ard played both CIS volleyball and soccer. Upon graduation, Ard head coached the women’s volleyball program at Lethbridge Community College from 1990 to 1993. During this time he founded the Lethbridge Volleyball Club. In 1998 he received his Masters of Education from the University of Lethbridge. Ard is the founder and President of STARS Volleyball (www.starsvolleyball.ca). STARS Volleyball is a national after-school program that teaches elementary aged children how to play volleyball. Ard wrote the curriculum for STARS Volleyball. Ard was the Chair Person and Co-Author of Volleyball Canada’s Atomic Curriculum. In 2019 Ard was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in the builders category. Ard is married to Kim and together they have two children; Marcus and Samantha.
Mary Dyck, Ph.D.
Mary Dyck teaches Volleyball, Sport Psychology, Sport Sociology, Motor Learning and Sport Management at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She is currently the coach of the Immanuel Christian High School Eagles Girls Volleyball Team. In 2009, her team finished fourth in their school’s first every appearance at 2A provincials. She is a Level III NCCP coach in volleyball and soccer. After playing university volleyball, Mary began coaching in 1980 and has coached youth programs, college soccer teams, university soccer and volleyball teams and provincial soccer teams. In 1988, Mary was named Canada West Coach of the Year while coaching the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Women’s soccer team. Mary also coached Trinity Western University Spartans Women’s Team to the British Columbia Athletic Association Championship in 1992. Mary is a coaching course conductor for the Alberta Soccer Association and Alberta Volleyball Association, which allow her to meet and mentor new coaches. In 2020 Mary was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in the builders category. Mary is married to Phil and has two daughters, Jesse and Carly
