Sandy Cooper-Ryder UWO & Queens' University UWO Hall of Fame
Sandy is our Head Coach and she will be leading the coaching alliances program that will include highly skilled strength and conditioning coaches. Sandy is the Physical & Health Department Head of Banting Secondary School and has been a leader in High School Track development. She has won over 8 OFSAA Provincial Track Team Championships and has developed several nationally ranked athletes. Sandy was a National Team Member, a National Pentathlete and Hurdler with international competition experience. Sandy was a student at U.W.O. and Queen's universities. She is a member of the U.W.O. Track & Field Hall of Fame. In 2005, Sandy won the London Sports Council "Coach of the Year" for her 26 year volunteer high school coaching contribution and for building the new London Legion Track & Field Alliance club. In 2009, Sandy won the YMCA Women of Excellence Award.
Dr. Jeff Almon, University of Calgary, BSc
Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, DC, CSCS
Dr. Jeff Almon graduated from the University of Calgary with a BSc in Exercise Physiology and from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto with a Doctorate of Chiropractic. Jeff was the starting fullback and offensive team captain for the Univerity of Calgary Dino's.. He was drafted into the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders and played with Ottawa Renegades and BC Lions before retiring. Jeff is a native of Oakville and attended St. Thomas Aquinas HS.
Jeff is currently a consultant for both the Chinese and Barbados Olympic programs. He specializes in identifying dysfunctions in kinetic chains for athletes, and restoring proper balance through exercise prescription and neurokinetic analysis.
Jeff will be helping club athletes in the general and specific preparation phases with specialized exercise programs and consulting throughout the year. Jeff is in private practice in London when he is not abroad consulting professional athletes and teams.
Harvey Barkauskas University of WesternOntario UWO Hall of Fame
Harvey is the LLTA Throws Coach. He also a member of the UWO Hall of Fame, inducted in 2003. Harvey has won numerous Provincial and Canadian Championships in Shot put, Discus, and Olympic Weightlifting. He is presently still an active athlete and coach in the area of Scottish Heavy Events. In the Scottish Heavy Events, Harvey has won the Canadian open and Masters Champion 12 times. He holds numerous world records in the various master divisions. He has also won the World Masters in Heavy Events (2003). Harvey has won many Shot Put, Discus and Hammer Throw championships. Harvey is presently the Science department head at Thames Secondary School. A graduate of U.W.O. (Kinesiology) and Althouse (Education), Harvey is in his 30th year of teaching and coaching. Harvey has coached various sports which include, football, wrestling, volleyball, Olympic weightlifting and track and field.. Harvey has been a member of the coaching staff (field events) at St. Thomas Aquinas for the last 3 years.
Sally Chamberlain
University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed) Leader - Minor Track & Field
Dave Dessureault C.PP, CIM London Legion SAC Elementary Team Leader
Dave helps coach the U97 Grils North London Regional Soccer Team and he has his Level 3 coaching and Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS) certification. Dave is active in sports and plays hockey and works on core training at the gym, Dave works at the University of Western Ontario in the Finance Department (Purchasing) and is a part time professor at Fanshawe College.
Dave is a former bodybuilder National competitor placing 4th in the Eastern Canada’s in 1991. Wrestled in high school placing 3rd at OFFSA in 1987 & 1988 and 6th place in Junior Greco Roman Wrestling in Canada. Dave won Oxford Elgin cross country and competed in multiple events in track and field, swimming and football at Arthur Voaden Secondary School in St. Thomas. Originally from Montreal he would train with the Concordia wrestling team during summers and holidays in high school.
Ashley Fader University of Ottawa B.Sc Honours Biology D'Youville College, N.Y. (B.Ed
Ashley Fader is a graduate of Sir Frederick Banting High School in London, Ontario .During her high school T&F career Ashley competed in the 100m Hurdles, Sprints and Long Jump.Ashley was a member of the 4X100 Gold Medal and record breaking team.The 4X100 record set by Ashley and her team still stands today.An all round athlete, Ashley also competed in competitive hockey, soccer, volleyball and cross country.
Ashley currently coaches Track & Field and Volleyball at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School where she teaches French Immersion Science and Mathematics. In 2006, Ashley coached the Lucas T&F team.
Linda Findley Distance Coach UWO - Althouse College - Physical & Health Ed. Principal - Thames Valley Board of Education (Retired)
Linda Findley is a retired Elementary Primcipal from the Thames Valley Board of Education. She has over 30 years experience as a teacher of students from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 10. Linda has been a track and cross country coach for students and adults throughout her teaching career.
Currently, Linda is a teacher of Physical & Health Education at the Faculty of Education (Althouse College) at the University of Western Ontario. She is an avid and competitive athlete, and Linda still competes in cross country track, and road racing, at the Masters level. She has been a competitive runner for over 25 years, with great success, in many national and international distance running events. Linda placed in the top 6 in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m, and 8000m at the recent World Master's held in Barcelona.
Laurie Hughes – London Legion Minor Track Co-Coordinator UWO
Laurie is a graduate of U.W.O. where she excelled in 60m, and 300m sprints, and she was also a member of Western’s 4X300 relay team. For Sport Western, Laurie coordinated the Track & Field program and for over 3 years, Laurie coached at the London-Western Track & Field Club. Laurie is a teacher with the Thames Valley Board of Education and has been a Cross-Country and Track & Field Coach for over 20 years. Laurie has been the TVDSB Track & Field meet convenor for the last 10 years.
Aleccia Hofstetter Syracuse University B.Sc Nursing Distance Coach
Aleccia graduated in 2003 from Syracuse University in New York with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Minor in Nutrition. While attending Syracuse University, she competed in cross country and middle/long distance track. Aleccia was the captain of the SU team in her final year and lead her team during the cross-country season. Aleccia was awarded the MVP and the Most Improved award in 2003. Member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and named to the Deans List from 1999-2003. Two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star. Prior to SU Aleccia attended Banting S.S. Multi OFSAA medallist in the 800m, 1500m, 4X400m. Placed 4th in the 1500m at Junior Nationals in 1999.
Aleccia is married and working in London as a Public Health Nurse and Labor and Delivery nurse. She enjoys playing soccer, biking, and running of course. Daughter of Fred and Marilyn Boland.
David Hyland - London Legion Minor Track Co-Cordinator UWO/Windsor/Brock
Dave Hyland is graduate of Windsor and U.W.O. where he ran sprints, relays, and specialized mostly in polevault.He has a Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Hons)in Kinesiology and a Masters in Phys.Ed. from Western. He completed his B.Ed at Brock University. Dave has coached many sports and is a grade 7/8 P.E teacher and coach at Hillcrest P.S. in London. He is a former OFFSA champ in polevault and OUAA and CIAU participant in sprints and polevault. As a former Chair of the London Elementary Sports Council for the T.V.D.S.B he loves to help kids develop sports skills and positive life skills and attitudes. Dave is the son of a WWII veteran and Chaplain with the Royal Canadian Legion
Julie Kirkhope – London Legion Minor T&F Coach/Co-Cordinator University of Western Ontario Maine University (USA)
Julie is a graduate of U.W.O. (B.A. Kinesiology). At Maine, University (USA), Julie received her BLS & Teaching Degree. As a competitive athlete, Julie specialized in 100m, 200m sprints, 4X100 relays, and long jump. Julie was a member of an OFSAA 4X100 Silver Medal winning team. Currently, Julie is a Grade 7/8 teacher and coaches volleyball, basketball,Track & Field and Cross Country at Hillcrest Public School. In 2004, Julie was named ‘Coach of the Year (Elementary)’ by the London Sports Council.
Gar Leyshon University of Western Ontario York University Maine University (USA)
Gar is a graduate of U.W.O. (B.A. Kinesiology), York and Maine, University (USA). Gar has been a teacher at Montcalm Secondary School for the last 10 years and has coached a variety of sports including football, basketball and Track & Field.
Coach Leyshon restarted the Montcalm Track & Field Program in 2005, along with Dennis Nielsen, and has helped athletes win over 2 OFSAA medals in the last 2 years.
Braian Marshall Ontario Weightligting Champion Power Play Partner Coach - SAC & T&F
Bryan Marshall is an elite Olympic weightlifter and the reigning Ontario Provincial champion, who is also working hard toward his goal of competing in the Olympic Games.
Bryan has trained under the supervision of world-class strength and Olympic lifting coaches for the past 10 years, which has given him vast experience in all types of strength and conditioning methodologies. Apart from weightlifting Bryan has also had successes in many other sports such as Baseball, Hockey, Football, Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts.
For the past 6 years, Bryan has coached athletes of all ages in many different sports but most notably, he has assisted the University of Western Mustangs Football Team over the past two years and has helped them build stronger and healthier bodies. He will say that one of his most rewarding achievements to date was being a part of the Mustang’s success in winning the 2007 Yates Cup.
Kylie McLarty University of Western Ontario - Bachelor of Sciences (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario - Bachelor of Education
Kylie graduated from the Faculty of Education (Althouse College) at the University of Ontario after attaining a Bachelor of Sciences degree. During her university career, Kylie competed for the Mustangs in the OUA/CIS in the Pole Vault.
Kylie started her teaching career in London at Westminster Secondary and she was the Head T&F Coach for the Wildcats. Kylie spent four years at Woodstock's College Avenue Collegiate and also led CASS's T&F program. In 2008, Kylie transferred to Sir Frederick Banting, London and will be on the T&F coaching team. Kylie teaches English and Media Studies at Banting.
Kylie is an NCCP Level 1 Track & Field Coach. She also has a Level 3 in Coaching and Theory and she has attatined the Red Cross Rescue and First Aid certification.
Kylie is pursuing her Level II Pole Vault T&F Coaching Certification this fall.
Matt McKnight University of Waterloo
University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
A London Banting Grad, Matt played his university football at the University of Waterloo for the Warriors, where he was an OUA All-Star and 2-time Academic All-Canadian. He was selected in the sixth round of the CFL entry draft in 2001 by the Toronto Argonauts. The majority of his CFL career was played in Calgary for the Stampeders as a free-safety and defensive back. Matt's football specific training was focused on power, speed and agility. Matt is currently a secondary school teacher. He also coordinates the defense for the Clarke Road Trojans senior football program.
Michael Murphy University of British Columbia University of Western Ontario (working on Ph.D)
Michael received his B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia where he played defensive back for the UBC Thunderbirds football team.
Currently, Michael is working on his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of Western Ontario. Michael’s focus is on strength and conditioning. He is a certified Crossfit instructor, NCCP Comp. Intro. coach, NCCP trained weightlifting coach and the head coach of the 4 Horsemen Weightlifting Club. His goal is to help athletes improve in all sports through speed, agility and conditioning programs.
Dennis Nielsen University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
Dennis is a graduate of U.W.O. (B.A. Kinesiology), and Althouse College (B. ed). Dennis was a competitive throws athlete during his university years in the Shot Put and Hammer Throw.
Dennis is an English and Physical Education Teacher in the Thames Valley Board of Education. He has taught at South Huron High School (Exeter), Thames, and is currently on staff at Montcalm Secondary School.
In addition to teaching, Dennis is a committed coach. He has lead several high school and community teams in several sports including Track & Field, Basketball and Soccer.
John Nielsen University of Michigan University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
Bio to follow
Jamie Ryder University of Nebraska
Jamie is in his 4th year at the University of Nebraska, where he is in an honours Business program. He is a graduate of Sir Frederick Banting High School, in London, Ontario.
Jamie is one of Canada's best young hurdlers. He set an OFSAA 110m Hurdle Record in winning the OFSAA Gold Medal twice in his senior years. He is an Athletics Ontario Indoor hurdle record holder and he has won a Bronze and Silver Medal at the US Indoor High School Championship.
Jamie is currently a spring/summer hurdles coach with the club.
Erica Stefina University of Western Ontario (B.A.) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
Bio coming soon.
Janet Takahashi University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
Janet has coached several winning OFSAA Individual and Team Champions, over a 15 year coaching career.
Janet is a graduate of the Kinesiology Program at UWO and the Faculty of Education program at Althouse College (UWO). During her university T&F career, Janet won several OUA Cross Country & Track & Field Gold Medals. She was named OUA Athlete of the Year and has been voted into the UWO T&F Hall of Fame, the UWO Cross Country Hall of Fame, and the UWO Athletics Hall of Fame. She has competed in the Canadian Olympic Trials placing 4th and placed 3rd at the Canadian National Championships in the 1500m. During her high school years, Janet won 3 OFSAA Gold medals in T&F. A summary biography will be on our coaches page in the next few days.
Mrs. T is also an accomplished Masters athlete, placing 1st in the Master's World Championship in the 5000m. Runner's World Magazine ranked Janet the 8th & 9th best Road Racer in the world.
Kelly Tarkowski University of Western Ontario (B.A.) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
Bio coming soon.
Collette Tesfaye
BHPHED - Physical Education - Laurentian University BHScPT - Physiotherapy - McMaster University PFLC - Personal Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant - York University
Collette is a graduate of Laurentian University (Physical Education), McMaster University (Sciences - Physiotherapy) and York University ( PFLC). In her competitive athletic career, Collette was involved in basketball, volleyball, soccer and Track & Field. Collette is still involved in recreational athletics with a variety of local sport teams.
Collette is currently a Physiotherapist at London Health Sciences Centre (Orthopeadics). In her coaching role at London Legion Track & Field, Collette will be a part of the London Legion Track and SAC Programs.
Jeff Thuss
Lake Superior State University – Bachelor of Science (Elementary Education)
Jeff is a graduate from Lake Superior State University (Elementary Education 99-03). Jeff competed in the Great Lake Athletic Conference (GLAIC) throughout his varsity years in Michigan. In 2007, Jeff competed in the Boston Marathon. Jeff is a 3 time recipient of the Chris Yanni memorial award. As a high school athlete he was a member of OFSAA Gold Medalist Cross Country Team - (John McGregor Chatham).
Jeff is married and working in Exeter as an elementary school teacher and continues to coach Cross Country and Track and Field. His wife Caroline and Jeff have recently added an addition to the family, daughter Addison Thuss.
Samantha (Sam) Ward McMaster University - Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology University of Western Ontario - B. Ed.
Samantha Ward is a graduate of McMaster University (Kinesiology) and the University of Western Ontario (Education).At McMaster, Samantha was on the McMaster Marauders Women’s Basketball team.During her university career, Samantha started coaching basketball with the highly respected Blessed Sacrament Basketball organization.
After graduating from U.W.O., Samantha joined the teaching staff of London’s South Secondary High School .Since 2002, Samantha has coached Jr. Boys and Jr Girls Basketball and Senior Girls Basketball.She has also coached Track & Field at South for 4 years.
Bud Willis Recreation Administration, Physical Education University of Western Washington, USA BA, Ed. Physical Education Major University of Western Ontario (Althouse College)
Level I & II NCCP Coach Level III Theory coaching NCCP Level I & II Theory Coach Instructor (20 years)
Bud Willis is a former Elgin County and Thames Valley District School teacher. In addition, Bud has been a leader in the YMCA movement for over 21 years in London, Kamloops, Sarnia, and St. Thomas.
A versatile athlete, Bud excelled at Pole Vault in high school, but ran varsity Cross Country at Western Washington University. After university, Bud competed for several years in many road races and marathons. Bud has also competed internationally in the marathon.
The administration and sport management skills of Bud Willis are well known in our region. Bud has been the convener of TVDSB Track & Field, TVDSB Cross Country programs, and several Road Races from 10K to the Marathon. Bud has also been the venue leader in sport administration for the World Transplant Games, the Ontario/Canadian Paralympic Games and the Canada Summer Games.
Ryan Zammit McMaster University - Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology Sheridan College - Athletic Therapy
Power Play Partner Coach - T&F & SAC
Ryan obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University in 2004 and followed this by receiving training in Athletic Therapy at Sheridan College. Both programs allowed him the opportunity to work as a therapist for various varsity teams at McMaster, The University of Toronto, and Guelph University. Through these experiences, Ryan gained valuable insight into the specific physical demands of various sports as well as proper training and rehabilitation techniques.
Ryan's background in sport comes from many disciplines including Basketball, Baseball, Australian Rules Football, Volleyball and Football. Through his experience and knowledge, Ryan is able to determine specific needs of athletes from all backgrounds and help them to achieve their goals.
Brent McFarlane 2000 Canadian Olympic Games Head Coach Program Consultant - SAC Program Mentor Coach Track & Field Program
Brent McFarlane has chosen to become Program Consultant to the London Legion Track & Field Alliance. Mr. McFarlane has been a coach on 33 Canadian National teams, 4 Olympic teams, and was Canada's Head Coach for the 2000 Olympic Games. He has developed over 39 National Champions and his athletes have established over 22 Canadian records. He is also the author of two books on Sprints & Hurdles and on SAC (Speed, Agility and Conditioning) Training. Brent has been the SAC Training Coach for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football team from 2002-2005. In his role as a Consultant to London Legion, Brent will be the architect and designer of the new London Legion Speed, Agility & Conditioning (SAC) Program for Speed Running. This unique speed and conditioning program helps athletes of power sports, like track and football, to develop skills for speed running up to 60m.
Add to Favorites
