When she took over the reins of Canada’s women’s volleyball program in 2021, which was struggling to stay afloat, Shannon Winzer faced a double challenge.
Winzer’s mission was obviously to get Canada back on the road to success, but also to thrive in an environment that was still male-dominated. The mother of three is the only female head coach among the 16 teams playing in the National League this summer.
“It’s extraordinary what she does and she impresses me,” said Glenn Hoag, former head coach of the men’s team. She is the only woman in the volleyball world in this situation. It’s really unique what she does.
Winzer assures him that he is not making a big deal. “I see myself as a coach and not as a woman, but it is certain that my family reality is different. I was away for 15 weeks this summer, but we evolve over the years. The whole family is part of my journey. The children (8, 10 and 12 years old) say it is the last Christmas before the Olympic selection.”
Obstacles exist
While she refuses to see herself as a standard-bearer, Winzer is fully aware that women must overcome significant challenges to reach the highest levels of volleyball. “There are still some obstacles. Men must demonstrate that they are unable to do the work, while women must demonstrate that they are capable. The hiring process starts with some bias, but I was lucky to have people on my side in Canada.”
Among his people we find Olympian Guylaine Dumont, who was on the volleyball board when Winzer was hired in 2019 after returning from Australia.
“I am so proud that a woman and a Canadian are at the helm of the national team,” said Dumont. In the past, hiring foreign coaches has not been successful. We made sure she wasn’t brought into the senior team too quickly and she was able to work with Tom Black, who was a good mentor, before she took charge of the big team. After Shannon was hired, I was able to leave the board with a sense of accomplishment.”
Dumont is impressed by what she sees. “Shannon has masculine energy and feminine humanity,” she concluded. She has great balance and natural self-confidence. Shannon inspires young female coaches. Women’s volleyball remains a man’s world.”
A mentorship role for Hoag
Hoag, an iconic figure in the country who enabled Canada to regain its nobility by qualifying for the last two Olympics in Rio and Tokyo, a first in Canadian history, took Winzer under his wing.
“I fell in love with Shannon and am at a mentoring age at 65,” said the Gatineau coach, who still coaches in the Turkish professional league. Like me, Shannon is quite demanding and that is what the program needs. We have pretty much the same philosophy. She is very good and her successes do not go unnoticed. The coach of the Turkish national team, Daniele Santarelli, who is one of the best in the world, asked him to train with him for a year. Canada needs a lot of help and Shannon has decided to invest all her energy and time here.”
Winzer is very grateful for this helping hand. “It’s great to be able to speak to someone who was there and experienced the Olympic selection and the National League. We talk a lot about volleyball, but also about the pressure that comes with being a head coach. I am very grateful for what he has done for me since my return to Canada. His opinion and support are very important.”