The VNB Male & Female Athletes of the Year are ideally graduating athletes who participates in our High Performance, Canada Cup, Summer Elite and Canada Games programs. These athletes display something special that seperates them from the others; whether that be athletic ability, passing, defending, scoring, blocking, serving, leadership, being a team player in a positive manner, or sportsmanship.

The Male and Female Coach of the Year are two coaches whose club and/or provincial teams have had significant improvement or success in the past year.

The goal of this award is to recognize athletes in our club system for on-court and off-court contributions to their team, such as, teamwork, team building, works hard, great attitude, inspiring acts of “sportspersonship”. The goal is to raise coach engagement in the nomination process and provides an opportunity for representation from our members who may not aspire to play at a high-performance level.  We all have come across kids in our journeys who we affectionately say, “that kid is the greatest teammate” or “what an amazing kid.” Ideally, this award could be awarded to an athlete from our 15U, 14U or triple ball programs.

This award is set exclusively for accomplishments by a Club Executive member over a one-year period. This Club Executive has positive ideas, governance improvement, growth, a safe and fun club experience, attraction of new volunteers, more teams, grass roots inroads and/or leadership in safe sport.

Over the past three years, Alex has distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete and leader within the volleyball community. Serving as captain of the Canada Cup provincial team for the past two summers and the Gravitron Boys Club for two years, Alex has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, guiding his teams with confidence and inspiring his peers. Athletically, Alex is unmatched. His ability to read the game is second to none, allowing him to anticipate plays and make smart, game-changing decisions under pressure. His skill set is equally impressive—whether it’s his precise passing, outstanding defense, ability to score in crucial moments, Alex has proven time and again that he is a force to be reckoned with. Beyond his skill, Alex has been a positive influence on and off the court. His dedication, team-first attitude, and unwavering commitment to excellence have left a lasting impression on the volleyball community in New Brunswick.

Clara is an exceptional offensive player, whose capability is so great and has the potential to be so impactful in a competition that the opponent pivots to try to contain her. With her powerful hit from both the front and back court, Clara has been instrumental in her teams’ success; leading them to an undefeated VNB fall season, securing a provincial championship and earning all-star recognition. Internationally, Clara led her team to a Bronze finish at the Nike Springfield Power Invitational tournament and a 5th place finish at the Nike Boston Volleyball Festival in the Open Division. Domestically, she led her team to win Silver at the Elite of the East tournament, defeating the top 18U teams from Nova Scotia along the way. Clara also excelled on the national stage with the Provincial Canada Cup team in Calgary, cementing her status as one of the most outstanding and respected athletes in New Brunswick volleyball.

Carter Waugh and Jackson Gallagher made history by winning Volleyball New Brunswick’s first ever U14 Tier 1 National Gold medal this August at the 2024 Volleyball Canada Beach Nationals in Toronto. They went undefeated in 9 matches, boasting an impressive 18/1 set record against 16 competitive teams from across the country. Despite juggling indoor provincial team volleyball commitments and limited beach practice, they trained and competed in the sand whenever possible. They placed 2nd in the 18U VNB beach tour event and went on to win gold in the 16U Category at VNB Provincials prior to heading to nationals. These accolades also earned them the 2024 Sport NB Team of the year.

Jon’s leadership and expertise have led his team to an exceptional season, finishing 2024 with an undefeated record as 2024 Tier 1 National Champions, Provincial Champions, and Age Class Tournament Club Season Champions. Beyond these remarkable achievements, Jon has contributed to the sport as a coach for Team NB Elite and through the 2024 PEP program, showcasing his dedication to athlete development at all levels. Additionally, as a mentor to numerous coaches within the Cyclones club, Jon has shared his knowledge and passion, leaving a lasting impact on both players and fellow coaches who have had the pleasure of working alongside him. 

As a founding director of Riverside Elite Volleyball (REV) and a former member of the Colombian national team, Coach Sandra has been instrumental in fostering the growth and development of volleyball in Carleton County. Her dedication to creating opportunities for athletes, especially in underserved areas, has laid a strong foundation for the sport’s growth.Coach Sandra’s emphasis on developing foundational skills and fostering a love for the game among young athletes is a testament to her commitment to long-term athlete development. She dedicates countless hours to designing and delivering training sessions that focus not just on technical skills but also on building confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Her approach ensures that every player, regardless of their starting skill level, can improve and contribute. Through REV, she has fostered inclusivity, supported players facing financial challenges, and expanded opportunities for both boys and girls to compete. Coach Sandra’s emphasis on skill-building, teamwork, and personal growth has led to remarkable achievements, including guiding her U12 players to excel in U14 competitions. Her contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on the volleyball community, and will undoubtedly inspire future generations of players and coaches.

Since taking on the role of Club Director in 2022, Heather has worked tirelessly to promote volleyball, growing the Timberwolves into the largest club in New Brunswick with 16 teams, youth development programs, and beach volleyball. Her exceptional organizational skills, inclusive policies, and ability to recruit dedicated volunteers have been instrumental in the club’s success. She is always thinking of the best and most inclusive way to improve and incorporate such strategies to our constitution. To further accommodate this increase, Heather has worked to expand the club executive and create new roles, as well as proposing some restructuring in order to make the club executive more streamlined and efficient. Heather has also expanded opportunities for neighboring communities to participate, introduced large-scale tournaments that boost local sport tourism, and implemented key initiatives like in-person Safe Sport presentations. Her dedication, leadership, and passion have made volleyball more accessible and impactful in our region, and we are deeply grateful for her efforts.

Being a referee is no easy task. It requires a unique blend of knowledge, attention to detail, calmness under pressure, and the ability to make split-second decisions that can affect the outcome of a match. But it also requires passion for the sport, an unwavering commitment to the athletes, coaches, and fans, and an ability to lead by example. Aaron Carmichael has demonstrated all these qualities. His work on and off the court has earned him the respect of his peers, coaches, players, and officials alike. Whether it’s his dedication to continuing education, his ability to handle the intensity of a match, or his calm and composed demeanor in the most challenging of situations, Aaron is beginning to see how to set the bar for what it means to be a high level referee. But what truly sets Aaron apart is his love for the sport and his commitment to fostering an environment where fairness and sportsmanship reign supreme. Aaron is not only a referee—he is a coach, a father, a family man, a role model, and a true ambassador for the volleyball community.

VNB’s Award of Distinction was designed to honour a member who has contributed to volleyball in NB., in an extraordinary manner. Steve Lanteigne certainly fits this narrative, being a driving force behind the growth of volleyball in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Under his leadership, the Reds Volleyball Club has become the largest and most successful club in the region, serving over 3,500 athletes and offering programs from grassroots to elite competition. A certified Performance coach, Steve has coached every age division and led numerous provincial programs and has trained over 200 coaches during this time through running clinics, training modules, and mentorship. His innovation extends beyond the court with the creation of Iset, a widely used competition management system that has streamlined volleyball tournaments across Canada. This creation revolutionised our sport and the world of large-scale tournaments. Steve has also been instrumental in introducing major tournaments, such as Big Red and Little Red, and advocating for the establishment of age-class leagues like 13U and 14U, which have fueled the sport’s development in the province. Reds teams have earned national and international recognition, competing successfully at events in the U.S. and elevating the reputation of Volleyball New Brunswick. Through his unwavering dedication and vision, Steve has not only built the most impactful volleyball club in the region but also left an enduring legacy that has shaped the sport’s success across the province. VNB would like to thank Steve for his longevity in our sport and his many contributions along the way.

Solange Gagnon is the heartbeat of Fuzion Volleyball, ensuring the club operates seamlessly through her exceptional organizational skills and dedication. She coordinates gym times, assists coaches with tournament prep, manages fundraising and community service projects, oversees tryouts, and handles all team communications. Her exceptional communication skills are highly regarded by all the Fuzion coaches and parents. She is consistently on top of all club affairs, meaning coaches do not have to worry about any of the small details, giving them the bandwidth to focus on their athletes. She consistently shares updates and ensures players and parents receive all the essential information. Many parents have expressed their appreciation for the smooth flow of communication within Fuzion and how effortlessly she facilitates tasks like fee payments and document submissions. Despite her daughter no longer playing with Fuzion, Solange continues to dedicate countless hours to supporting the club. Her tireless work ethic and commitment to Fuzion makes her an invaluable asset, and without the many hours she has put in, the club would not be where it is today.