Sandy Cooper-Ryder (NCCP L4) UWO & Queens' University Track & Field Teams UWO T&F Hall of Fame, UWO W.A.A. Elfrida Berzins Award 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 and was awarded the UWO Women's Athletic Alumni Association Elfrida Berzins Award. Sandy's leadership for volunteer sports has been recognized by the Canadian Federal Government and in the 2010 Ontario Government Throne Speech. Sandy was named the Hurdles, Jumps and Combined Events Coach for the 2011 Pan Am Juniors, the 2010 NACAC U23 Championship and to the World Junior Coaching Seminar and Tutorial.
Matt Campbell
University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed) Minor Track & Field
Sally Chamberlain
University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed) Leader - Minor Track & Field
Karen Dailleboust
University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (Nursing)
coming soon
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.
Claudio Dias Plattsburgh State University – B.A.
Frostbury State University – M.Ed University of Western Ontario - B.Ed (Physical & Health Ed. Int/Sr)
Claudio played four years of NCAA soccer at Plattsburgh State University in New Yorkfrom 2003-2006. In his senior year he was named 1st Team All Conference, 1st Team All Region, and an All American. After University he had a short stint training with Portimonenese Sport Club of Portugal. His soccer coaching experience spans from youth all the way to the university level.
Through 2007-2008 Claudio coached at the Toronto Benfica Soccer Academy, and he was an assistant coach for Brampton Boavista Football Club in the Ontario Soccer League. In 2008 he also coached the girls U-14 Plattsburgh Football Club. At the University level he was the assistant coach at Plattsburgh State University during the 2008 season, and the assistant at Frostburg State University, in Maryland, from 2009-2011. Duringhis time at Frostburg,he earned his Masters in Education, specializing in physical education. In 2010 he received my National Coaching License (Soccer) from the NSCAA. Claudio is currently at Althouse in the Bachelor of Education program at Western University.
Jenn Ditchfield University of Western Ontario (Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (B. Ed)
Jenn is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario in Physical Education and has attained a Bachelors of Educatio
Jenn was a highly ranked CIS athlete in middle distance events and has gone on to be very successful in the Triathlon and Master's Cross Country events.
Jenn is a teacher in the Thames Valley Board of Education.
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.
Craig Hamilton SAC Strength Coach - Empower Conditioning Partnerhsip UWO - Bsc. Honous Foods and Nutrition Msc. in Development
Craig Hamilton is a motivated, educated, trainer and coach that will help you achieve your performance and life goals! His passion for fitness and nutrition began at an early age as he played competitive volleyball in high school and his team placed well at the OFSAA Ontario Championships several times. Craig dedicates his time to pursuing as much knowledge and experience as he possibly can in fitness and nutrition. He has completed a BSc. in Honours Foods and Nutrition and is set to complete his MSc. in exercise nutrition and integrative physiology both from The University of Western Ontario. Graduating at the top of his class Craig strives to be one of the most knowledgeable, qualified individuals that he possibly can and has continued this by pursuing his Dietetic Internship. His goal is to become a Registered Dietitian who specialises in Sports Nutrition that understands and appreciates both the fitness, and nutrition aspects when training his clients.
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.
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.
Denise Kussner-Jajal
McMaster University (B. Kinesiology) University of Western Ontario (Althouse College) B.Ed.
Level III Coach Volleyball
Level II Track & Field
Denise is is a graduate of McMaster University (B.A. Kinesiology) and the University of Western Ontraio (B. Ed). At McMaster, Denise was a varsity volleyball player and T&F athlete. Denise attained her level 3 coaching levels in Volleyball and Level 2 in Jumps and Sprints/Hurdsles.
Our CIS Academic all-star coach is passionate about teaching and coaching young athletes. A teacher at Thames Valley Board of Education high schools, Westminister and Clarke Road, Denise has developed a number of provincial level athletes and teams.
Jamie Ryder University of Nebraska - Track & Field Scholarship Bsc. - Business Administration
Jamie is a graduate from the University of Nebraska, in an honours Business program. Jamie was on a full Track & Field Scholarship. He is also 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.
Kari Schneider - High Performance Strength Coach
Empower Conditioning Partnership
University of Northern Colorado(Kinesiology) University of Manitoba (Phys. Ed, Masters - Exercise Physiology)
She has helped to bring high performance athletes to the Olympics, injured athletes back stronger than ever and private clients to abilities they never knew they had!
Kari Schneider is the owner and founder of Empower Conditioning (founded in 2005). Kari began her degree at University of Northern Colorado and double majored in Fitness and Exercise and Athletic Training. She transferred back home to Canada and finished her Bachelor's degree at the University of Manitoba. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, a First Responder and a Technical Level II Olympic Lifting Coach. Kari also became a certified Athletic Therapist through the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association in 2001.
Kari completed her Master’s of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2008. She researched lumbar spine kinematics using accelerometry during fatiguing exercise. She has rehabilitated many chronic back pain patients and clients with sports injuries, has presented research abstracts at multiple National and International conferences, taught University courses and has presented for multiple sport groups and private clients.
Kari was the Manager of Strength and Conditioning for the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba from 2001-2006 and trained multiple National and Olympic level athletes from Swimmers to Rhythmic Gymnasts. Kari was the Strength Coach for the Men's and Women's National Volleyball Teams (for 8 years), The Manitoba National Triathlon Centre (for 9 years) and other National and Pro-level athletes (including National Training Centre Soccer, pro football athletes, Paralympic Tennis, National Arial Ski, and many more). She was the Manitoba Provincial Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association for 5 years and recently returned from living and working in Izmir, Turkey.
Nancy Spreitzer University of Waterloo - Honours Therapeutic Recreation University of Western Ontario - B.Ed (Physical & Health Ed. Int/Sr)
Nancy was a a member of the University of Waterloo T&F Team for 4 years as a sprinter, long and triple jumper. Nancy was also a member of the Women's University of Waterloo Basketball Team for one year. In Nancy's graduating year at Waterloo, she was named Women's T&F MVP. While competing for the University of Waterloo, Nancy was named both a CIS All Canadian and to the U of Waterloo President's Athletic Academic Honor Roll, twice in her career.
Nancy has been recognized by the community of Kitchener-Waterloo for her leadership in the Team-Up program, a program emphasizing academics with elementary athletes. Nancy has also been a tireless fundraiser for children's sports equipment and has worked as a volunteer with the KW Food Bank. Nancy has been named the OUA and CIS Community Service Award winner in 2009 and the OUA Community Service Award winner in 2011.
Cheryl Steckel University of Waterloo - Honours - Science Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Doctor of Chiropractic)
Cheryl is a graduate of both the University of Waterloo (Hons.BSc.) and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Doctor of Chiropractic).
She competed in track and field in her youth as a sprinter and long jumper and was a competitive figure skater and member of the varsity figure skating team at U of W. She has run marathons in the past and continues to run and play women’s soccer.
Mark Steckel University of Toronto - Physical & Health Education Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Doctor of Chiropractic)
Mark is a graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. He did two years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto in the Physical and Health Education program, where he studied track and field as part of the program.
Mark still competes as a triathlete and has three Ironman finishes to his credit.
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.
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.
Kevin Vanderleeuw
Redeemer University - B.A
University of Western Ontario - B.Ed (Physical & Health Ed. Int/Sr)
Kevin is a graduate of Redeemer University (B.A Kinesiology). He played four years of OCAA (Ontario College Athletic Association) soccer from 2007-2011. He also played one year of OCAA volleyball (2007). In Kevin's first year of soccer he was named Rookie of the year and won the OCAA Men's Indoor Soccer Championship. In his senior year Kevin was named CCAA (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association) Academic All-Canadian. He was also named OCAA League All-Star as well as Redeemer University College Men's Soccer M.V.P. Kevin spent time volunteering as a Men's and Women's Volleyball Student trainer and clinical assistant at Redeemer University. In high school, Kevin competed in shot-put, discus, and javelin. Kevin is thrilled to be able to work with young track athletes and help them develop their skills and abilities.
Danny Wiley
University of West Georgia (Bachelors of Science - Sports Management, Marketing)
Danny is a graduate of the University of West Georgia where he ran for the Wolves in both cross country and track and field in the NCAA.
Danny currently is a distance coach at Montcalm Secondary School.
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.
Andrew Zadorsky
Wilfrid Laurier University - H. Business
Andrew returns to London Legion for the first time in four years after his move to Waterloo to play for the Laurier Golden Hawks football team. He obtained his business degree while attending Laurier and has returned to his high school CCH, to coach the junior football teams as the defensive coordinator.
Andrew was a member of the SAC program in his final years at CCH, where he was a member of the 2004/05 OFSAA Championship team before moving on to play for the Hawks. Andrew learned the London Legion SAC program while at London Legion and under Wilfrid Laurier SAC Coach,former Canadian Olympic Head Coach, and London Legion Mentor Coach, Mr. Brent McFarlane.
Andrew brings energy and determination to the track and is excited to work with young athletes in their pursuit to push themselves to the next level in the upcoming season.
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.
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