Meet the Gale Force Volleyball Club Coaches

Jess Hall is excited to return as the head coach for this year’s 14U Gale Force team. With a strong background as both a player and a coach, she brings a wealth of experience, energy, and passion to the court. Her volleyball journey began at Leary’s Brook Junior High in Grade 7 and continued through Brookside and finally PWC, where she played on the varsity team from Grades 10 to 12. Jess also competed at the club level with the Seahawks Volleyball Club for five years, and started competing at the 18U level at 15 years old. In addition to her club and school experience, she also played at the provincial level for several years.

Following graduation, Jess transitioned to coaching and has spent the past four years as an assistant coach with the PWC varsity team. Her commitment to developing young athletes extended to the club level last season, where she took on the role of head coach for the 14U Gale Force team. She’s thrilled to be back again this year and looks forward to building on that experience with a new group of athletes.

Outside of volleyball, Jess is in her fourth year at Memorial University, where she is completing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology.

This is Jessica’s 2nd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball! 

This year John Randell is excited to be returning to Gale Force Volleyball Club this year. He has worked as a volleyball referee and has a long successful career as a volleyball player. Starting out eight years ago on the St. Peter’s Junior High Python’s team, John served as the captain of the team, and they won provincials all three years of Junior High. He played on the NL U15 team in both grade 8 and grade 9 and competed at nationals both years, the second of which they finished 2nd place in division 2. In grade 9 he was named the NLVA Junior High Player of the Year, after being a runner-up the previous year.

John’s success continued into high school, where he played on the O’Donel High School team as well as continuing with the Python’s club team. His team won many provincials in all age groups, and John was named MVP of the grade 12 club provincials when he was only in grade 10. In grade 12, his club team won provincials and his school team won the 4A’s, both teams going undefeated that season.

John is now attending MUN planning to study computer science, and he has continued to play volleyball since his graduation.

He plays on multiple co-ed teams and in multiple men’s leagues and has dabbled in beach volleyball during the summers. With his variety of skills and his experience, John will be an excellent coach and role-model for his team and he is looking forward to passing on his knowledge and love of the sport on to the next generation of players.

This is John’s 3rd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball!

Matthew Cooper is an enthusiastic and committed volleyball coach who is originally from Chapel Arm NL, where he discovered his love for volleyball. Since 2015, Matthew has been actively coaching volleyball within the metro area and has coached at Volleyball Canada Nationals the last three seasons.

This past season, Matthew was a member of the coaching staff that led a team to the first ever medal at a Nationals for Gale Force Volleyball Club, showing off Gale Force’s volleyball talent on the national level.

Matthew is a trained Development and Advance Development coach with Volleyball Canada and has completed courses under the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). This upcoming season he is eager to share his passion for the sport with his players, while helping them develop both their volleyball abilities and life skills.

His dedication to the growth of his players, the game and the Gale Force Volleyball Club is a valuable mix. Matthew is excited to lead this year’s 15U team to a successful and enjoyable season.

This is Matthew’s 3rd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball!

Collette has been passionate about volleyball since Grade 5, when she first picked up the sport at St. Joseph’s Academy on the Burin Peninsula. Her dedication and talent quickly stood out, earning her the opportunity to train and compete with the senior high school team while still in junior high. Today, she continues to stay active in the game as a member of a local women’s league.

Her coaching journey began at Juniper Ridge Intermediate in Torbay, where she served as head coach of the Grade 7 girls’ team, leading them through to Grade 9. Currently, she is an assistant coach with the Holy Trinity High School senior girls’ varsity team and the Grade 9A team.

Collette is a Volleyball Canada Trained Development Coach, committed to fostering a positive, supportive, and competitive environment where athletes can grow. She believes in teaching strong fundamentals, building confidence, and helping players understand the value of teamwork.

A dedicated volunteer and proud parent of two daughters who share her love for the game, Collette brings her passion, experience, and energy to every team she coaches. She is committed to helping young athletes reach their full potential while inspiring a lifelong love of volleyball.

This is Collette’s 1st year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball and we are so excited to have her joining the team this year!

Katie-Ann’s love for volleyball began back in 2016 at Leary’s Brook Junior High, and ever since, the game has been an essential part of her life. She continued to grow her passion throughout her years at Prince of Wales Collegiate (PWC), playing on the junior teams from Grades 10–11 before earning her spot on the PWC Varsity team in her senior year of 2022. Beyond school volleyball, Katie-Ann spent four years developing her skills and leadership with CBS Volleyball Club, where she proudly competed at Nationals in both 2019 and 2022.

Eager to give back to the sport that shaped her, Katie-Ann transitioned from player to coach in 2022, joining the SMASH Volleyball 14U team as an assistant coach. Her dedication and enthusiasm paid off when the team won gold in Tier 4 at Nationals in Halifax, while also being recognized with the Volleyball Canada Fair Play Award—a testament to the positive culture and sportsmanship she helped in shaping.

Off the court, Katie-Ann is a fourth-year student at Memorial University, currently completing her second year in the Primary/Elementary Education program. She’s passionate about shaping young minds both in the classroom and on the court, striving to create meaningful, confidence-building experiences for every athlete she mentors.

Fueled by her passion for volleyball and her dedication to growing the game, Katie-Ann has earned her certification as a trained developmental coach ready to move on to her advanced development certification. Now entering her third year with Gale Force Volleyball Club, Katie-Ann is stepping into her first season as head coach, ready to bring her energy, knowledge, and heart to the role. After three invaluable years of coaching alongside her mentor, Gordon Stokes, she’s ready to take the next step in her coaching career as head coach of the 16U team. Katie-Ann is eager to lead with enthusiasm, foster teamwork, and make this season her best one yet.

This is Katie-Ann’s 3rd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball!

 Perryn is thrilled to return to Gale Force this year as the assistant coach for the 16U team! Her dedication and passion for the sport help bring out the best in her players, support their growth on and off the court, and challenge them to improve every day. She looks forward to guiding the team as they develop their skills and create long lasting memories throughout the game. As the season progresses, she hopes to help them build confidence, reach their full potential, strengthen their teamwork, and have fun while striving for success.

Perryn has 7 years of volleyball experience, playing on numerous school and club teams since junior high. Her love for the sport began in 2018 with the Brookside Intermediate Bulldogs and continued through high school, where she played on the PWC Senior B and Varsity teams. This passion grew after playing for the CBS 18U team in 2022. Perryn returned to CBS Volleyball Club the following year before committing to SeaHawks Volleyball Club for her senior year of high school.

After graduating from PWC in 2024, Perryn enrolled at Memorial University. She is in her second year pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in French and criminology. She has always taken on an active role within the volleyball association, giving back to the community and sharing her knowledge with our younger generations of athletes. She’s been engaged with many events, camps and programs, working alongside various organizations and clubs in St. John’s.

Playing for a club team is an experience that Perryn believes every athlete should cherish. She continues to stay involved in volleyball, competing in women’s league alongside many of her former teammates, showing the value of connections made through the sport. The friendships, memories, and experiences gained through sports are truly unforgettable, and they are ones that will last a lifetime.

This is Perryn’s 2nd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball!

Kyra Benson, a passionate volleyball enthusiast from St. John’s, has cultivated a strong foundation in the sport through years of competitive play. Her volleyball journey began at Frank Roberts Junior High, where she competed as a leftside and rightside player, contributing to multiple Volleyfest and Provincial championship wins, and earning NLVA’s 2019 Team of the Year recognition. At Queen Elizabeth Regional High, Kyra’s impact on the court continued, securing two Volleyfest titles, a 16U Provincial Championship, and leading her team to both 4A Sectional and 4A Provincial Championships during the 2020-2022 seasons.

After high school, Kyra advanced to the collegiate level, playing as a libero and defensive specialist for Holland College where she pursued her studies in kinesiology. Her tenure included an ACAA Championship win and a program-record 7th place finish at the 2022 CCAA Nationals, followed by a standout 2023-2024 season as the team’s leader in digs per set and a 3rd place regular season finish. Kyra’s club experience with CBS further expanded her versatility, where she played as a left side hitter, competing at both 15U and 18U Nationals. She also represented Team NL across multiple age levels, taking on key roles as setter and left side.

Kyra is also a certified Level 2 Volleyball Canada referee, currently playing in local women’s and co-ed leagues. She is eager to share her skills, dedication, and love for volleyball with the next generation of athletes, fostering both growth and passion for the sport.

This is Kyra’s 2nd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball!

Jayden, a dedicated volleyball athlete and emerging coach from Gander, has built a strong and well-rounded background in the sport through years of commitment at the school and club levels. His volleyball journey began in the 2021–2022 season during his Grade 9 year at St. Paul’s Intermediate, where he quickly made an impact—most notably winning 15U Provincials in his very first season, a moment that sparked his passion for the game.

Throughout high school, Jayden excelled as a Libero with the Gander Collegiate Concordes, being a member of one of the most successful teams in the school’s history. This squad claimed the AAAA Provincial Championship while dropping only two matches all season, solidifying their legacy. In his Grade 12 year, Jayden transitioned to an outside hitter role and was named team captain, leading the Concordes through another strong season.

At the club level, Jayden played for Loopers Volleyball Club, where he enjoyed consistent success—winning multiple Provincial Championships and earning several Provincial All-Star awards. He also competed nationally, representing his team at Volleyball Canada Nationals in both 17U and 18U. His final year was especially memorable, capturing a Tier 6 Silver Medal at 18U Nationals and earning recognition from 2x Olympian and Team Canada Libero, Blair Bann for his exceptional performance.

His passion for giving back to the sport began early. Starting in Grade 10, he began coaching the St. Paul’s Intermediate Grade 7–8 team, leading them most recently to a silver medal at 14U Provincials. He has also coached and refereed across multiple age groups within the Loopers Volleyball development programs, including K–3, Grade 4–5, and junior high leagues.

Off the court, Jayden is a first-year Bachelor of Physical Education student at Memorial University. He is driven to help young athletes discover the positive, transformative impact that sport can have on their lives.

This is Jayden’s first year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball and we are so excited to have him join the team!!

Owen Roberts grew up in central NL, where he played volleyball all throughout his jr. & sr. high years. After graduation, he spent  several years coaching both sr. high boys & girls volleyball. He had the opportunity to both play and coach at multiple provincial tournaments.

After a few years away from volleyball, Owen recently got reconnected to the game because of his daughter’s love for the sport. He has had the opportunity to go to the last 2 Nationals tournaments in Halifax & Edmonton as the team manager.

Owen is looking forward to this opportunity to coach with Gale Force Volleyball, and is excited to work with such incredible athletes.

This is Owen’s 2nd year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball!

Cameron has been part of the volleyball community for over 13 years as both a player and coach. Growing up on the west coast of Newfoundland, he captained his school and club teams, competing at provincial and national levels with programs like CBRH Titans, CBI Storm, Humber Volleyball Club, and Corner Brook Beach Volleyball Club. His teams captured multiple provincial titles and an Atlantic Beach Tour championship.

As a coach, Cameron is passionate about helping players grow their skills, develop confidence, and love the game. He values teamwork, consistency, and creating meaningful experiences that last beyond the court. Outside of volleyball, Cameron is a youth pastor at Elim in St. John’s and enjoys being active, outdoors, and connecting with friends.

This is Cameron’s 1st year coaching with Gale Force Volleyball and we are so excited to have him joining the team this year!

Gordon Stokes is a dedicated and accomplished volleyball coach with a passion for the game that has been evident throughout his extensive career. His journey in the world of volleyball began in 1992 at Lumsden School Complex, where he took his first steps onto the court as a player. Little did he know that this initial introduction to the sport would spark a lifelong commitment to both playing and coaching volleyball.

With over 10 years of coaching experience, Gordon has become a respected figure in the volleyball community. In 2016, he took on the role of head coach for the LBJH (Leary’s Brook Junior High) team, dedicating three years to nurturing and developing skills. From 2019- 2021, Gordon head coached the PWC Junior team and in 2022, he helped coach the PWC Varsity team.

Gordon's coaching journey also includes a significant time with CBS Volleyball, where he dedicated four years to the development and success of the team. His leadership was instrumental in representing CBS at Nationals twice, in both 2019 and 2022, showcasing the team's talent on the national stage. Beyond his coaching duties, Gordon served as the President of CBS Volleyball for two years, demonstrating his commitment to the overall growth and success of the sport in this community. 

Another highlight in Gordon's coaching career is when he became the head coach of SMASH Volleyball’s 14U team in 2023 and the team achieved gold in Tier 4 at nationals. Additionally, Gordon's commitment to fair play and sportsmanship was recognized with the prestigious Volleyball Canada Fair Play Award. Known for his infectious passion for the game, Gordon Stokes stands out as a positive role model for his players. His enthusiasm, coupled with his coaching expertise, has inspired countless athletes to not only excel on the volleyball court but also to develop a deep love for the sport. This is displayed as this year Gale Force has a coaching staff compiled of 6 past athletes that he had a hand in coaching.

Gordon is a Trained Advanced Development Coach. As the upcoming season approaches, Gordon is eagerly anticipating the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. His dedication to the game, combined with his positive influence on players, sets the stage for another exciting chapter in his coaching journey. With a track record of success and a genuine love for the sport, Gordon Stokes is excited to continue making a lasting impact on the volleyball community. This year will be Gordon’s 3rd year with Gale Force!