Guiding the Game – The Coaches Behind the Super League
They are the coaches who lead their teams, sharing years of experience and volleyball knowledge to get the best out of their players.
While the players are competing hard for every single point on the court, the coaches are doing everything they can to give the athletes and their team the best chance at achieving their goals.
Every coach has had their own unique volleyball journey, most have been involved in the sport for decades.
On the eve of the finals of the Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League, Volleyball Australia wanted to recognise the mentors and acknowledge them for the amazing work they do on and off the court.
We approached the coaches to discover how they got into the sport, what they enjoy about coaching and the challenges they face in the Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League.
Adelaide Storm
Women’s Head Coach – Rachel Orchard
“I first picked up volleyball at 13, when my school coach recruited me simply because I was tall. At the time, I wasn’t convinced – but the moment I stepped onto the court, I was hooked. That was 24 years ago (which sounds slightly terrifying when I say it out loud!).
“My coaching journey really began after Covid. Before then, I’d been involved with Australian camps, but opportunities stopped during that time. I pushed hard to help re-ignite the Australian Women’s Team and wanted to contribute more on the wellbeing and player development side. Coaching became the best way to do that.
“While I’m relatively new as an official coach, I’ve always been very observant of the game and coaches – watching closely, learning what works (and what doesn’t) and finding ways to help athletes bring out their best both on and off the court.”
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“Super League is fast, intense, and all about problem-solving under pressure. I love that challenge – finding solutions quickly, empowering athletes to take calculated risks and backing them in those moments. Watching their confidence grow and their game lift to the next level is what excites me most.
“Last season, my standout memory was seeing the team genuinely support one another and come together as one. It might sound cliché, but these athletes are incredible as individuals – and last year, they started to fit those puzzle pieces together. That sense of unity and shared growth was really special to be part of.”
Men’s Head Coach – Nathan Mcleod
“I started playing at school after a really passionate teacher got me into it. From there I joined a club and have been playing and coaching ever since. It’s been 20 odd years now!
“I have always coached. When I played tennis when I was younger, I would coach the really young kids before I played. Getting into volleyball coaching was pretty natural. When I finished playing juniors I started coaching a junior team the next year.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“I love a couple of things about it. It’s challenging as a coach with the format. It’s so fast and with no timeouts and power plays it really tests you. It’s also rare that you can bring together all the best players in the league and coach them together. That is a pretty cool experience to have that involvement with guys we wouldn’t normally.
“My favourite memory was the first ever game of Super League in Victoria. It was a great game, we won 18-17 in the 5th in front of a full house. We didn’t really know what to expect but it was so fast and crazy and fun.
Canberra Heat
Women’s Head Coach – Sue Jenkins
“I started my volleyball journey in Melbourne, being introduced to the sport at high school by a very supportive PE teacher who encouraged me to join a club. That was many decades ago now but I was hooked, and I have been involved in volleyball ever since – as a player, coach, mentor, committee member.
“I played with Heidelberg Volleyball Club (Melb) for many years and with time made the transition from player to player/coach for my team before taking on the club coaching role. I coached club, State Junior and Senior teams before moving to Canberra to take up a Coaching Scholarship at the AIS in the lead into the 2000 Olympic Games. I have coached at the National level and also with the Belconnen Volleyball Club, ACT Junior and Senior teams since then.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“As the game evolves, the challenge for me as a coach is to ensure that I continue to grow and evolve along with it. Preparing players and coaches for a faster, less forgiving format where adaptability is key, and where simply winning the game is not what counts the most (no points for winning). Implementing the right strategies at the right moments as there is no time to fix things if you don’t get it quite right.”
Men’s Head Coach – Adam Bradbury
“I started playing volleyball in 2008, while I was studying at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College in England.
“I first started coaching in 2010. I was in my 2nd year of university, the team needed a coach and no one else wanted to do it. Fortunately, I enjoyed it and have been involved in coaching ever since.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“The main difference in coaching in the Super League is the change of tempo. With a shortened game time and no time outs, the information that can be shared during a game is limited so preparation becomes even more important.
Melbourne Vipers
Women’s Head Coach – Matthew Perry
“My first year in the State/Premier League was in Victoria, with Frankston, in 1982.
My last year playing Premier League was also in Victoria, with Mornington, in 2018. I completely stopped playing a couple of years ago, around 45 years after my first competitive game.
“In between those years I represented Victoria, NSW and the AIS, in various iterations of what is now known as Super League. I also represented Australia for over 10 years, playing with some legends of the game.
“I have been coaching volleyball for around 20 years now. Currently I’m working with three teams: Heidelberg Premier Women, State U18 Girls, and the Melbourne Vipers.
“This is my first year coaching a women’s team in Super League. I’m really excited with the opportunity to work with some of the best athletes in Australia. I love playing a role in, and being part of, high performing teams; whether that’s in a work environment or on the volleyball court. This team described what they expected and what they wanted, and then built a wonderful foundational culture: fun, inclusive, trusting and trustful, honest and respectful. Performance focused, and intensely focused. Awesome.
“I am also very fortunate this year to be working with two wonderful coaches (Mitch and Nina), and to have the support of the thoroughly professional people at Volleyball Victoria.
This Super League is a very concentrated season and I’m in no doubt this squad will produce many more great memories
Men’s Head Coach – Josh Cowan
“I started playing with Mazenod College in 2005.
“I started coaching in 2011 at Mazenod after finishing school, making it 15 years coaching.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“Being on Kayo means we have got the league to where it was intended and looking forward to seeing our best do it week in week out.
NSW Phoenix
Women’s Head Coach – Kelly Hunter
“I started playing in year 9 at Narrabeen Sports High School. I hate to admit that was 34 years ago!
“I did a bit of coaching at club level while still playing competitively in the early 2000’s. I got a lot more involved in coaching around eight years ago when I first coached the NSW U19 girls.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“There are a lot of differences between coaching Super League compared to my previous coaching experiences. It’s more fast paced, and with no timeouts, the team needs to have a really solid game plan in order to win. Everyone knowing their role and trusting their skills under pressure are super important.
Men’s Head Coach – Chris Todd
“I picked up volleyball in year 12 at Sydney Grammar, and then when I started at Sydney Uni the next year I got way more involved in playing. I’ve now been part of volleyball for 23 years.
“I started coaching to help out the women’s AVL squad in 2007. As the men’s and women’s seasons were separate I was able to be part of it and enjoyed what was involved so started to do more and more as time went on.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“Super League is fast and intense. There are a lot of moments that are important and each one is unique and independent of the last which means whether you’re winning or losing there can be something on the line at any point. The athletes have to be far more independent on court and so it’s critical to help them with their own decision making and be able to adapt in real time rather than being able to have frequent coach input.
Perth Steel
Women’s Head Coach – Pauline Manser
“I Started at Kalamunda High School at the age of 14. I started coaching at age of 18, so I’ve been involved for 42 years. “I started coaching summer camps in the US and really enjoyed it. Coaching for 38 years now.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“The unpredictability that power plays offer. You must play to the end and every set matters in relation to finals.”
Men’s Head Coach – Rory Read
“I Started at Rossmoyne SHS in 1999, so I’ve been involved 27 years in volley now.
“In my first year out of school in 2003 Robyn Fittock asked me to assistant coach the Rossmoyne Year 10 boys, so I’ve been in coaching now for 23 years.”
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“Solving the challenges the new format creates. The speed of the game forces you to be very prepared, think quickly and not second guess your instincts and makes you really prioritise what feedback to your athletes is important as you are very time restricted with no time outs and limited game breaks.”
Queensland Pirates
Women’s Head Coach – Kylie Marshall
“I started playing volleyball in my first year of high school. I’ve been involved for over 35 years as a player administrator, official and coach.
“I coached at my first National Junior championships when I finished playing juniors myself. I was 21 and assisted with the Qld U17 boys team winning bronze. I continued coaching in schools and state teams before becoming a full-time national team player. I returned to coaching after retiring from playing, working with little kids all the way to senior men and women in clubs, state, and National teams. I have been coaching off and on for over 25 years.”
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“I love the speed of the game. No time outs make it more interesting to watch and challenges the players to take ownership of their performance. The power play brings a whole new tactical challenge to the game as a coach. The multitude of strategies that can be implemented with power play is exciting
“My highlight was obviously winning the 2024 season, especially for my first time coaching the men. It was also pretty special to be able to put a different team on court every round (due to injury and availability) and be able to perform the way we did.”
Men’s Head Coach – Terry Rudder
“I started playing volleyball in my first year at Griffith University in 1985. As luck would have it, that year the Australian Championships were being held in Brisbane at the QEII stadium just down the road, so I walked down with some mates and watched the newly named “Queensland Pirates” play. Forty years later and here we are!
“I was first ‘appointed’ as a coach in 1990 when I began teaching. The “Sunshine Coast U15 Schoolboys team had never won a set, but in 1992, when I coached them again in the U19 School Sport Championships, we won the Gold Medal.
What is it about the Super League space that excites you?
“The Super League format essentially relies on you, as the Coach, making yourself redundant. No timeouts, only 2 minutes between sets, sudden death at 17:17, play all 5 sets and every point counts, when do you use your Powerplays?
“All of these considerations mean that the players MUST have a self-efficacy and culture that lets them recognise and respond to the ebbs and flows of the match and solve a never-ending cascade of challenges. Player autonomy is key, and the payoff is I get to watch some fantastic volleyball!!”
