With extensive experience in athlete development and a background in youth sport, Colin Walker is being welcomed by the Trent Excalibur as the new head coach of the men’s varsity volleyball program.

“The Trent Excalibur are very excited to have coach Colin Walker join the men’s volleyball program for the 2021/22 season,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent. “His experience will continue to help to develop the Excalibur student-athletes both on and off the court.”

Working in numerous athlete high performance development and youth programs, Mr. Walker brings over 30 years of coaching experience, most recently as the head coach of uOttawa men’s volleyball program and as head coach of Volleyball Canada’s National Youth Team in 2016 and 2017. With the opportunity to join a growing Trent Excalibur team, he is excited to build off a strong foundation.  

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue developing an up-and-coming team and to take it to higher heights,” notes Mr. Walker. “Looking at the last few years, the program has come a long way from its initial start in the OUA and it is starting to gain a reputation and people are starting to take notice. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of coming in and building on this strong legacy.”

Mr. Walker’s success extends beyond U Sports, bringing coaching experience with National Collegiate Athletic Association, and provincial and national level student-athletes. As an elementary school teacher with the Ottawa Carleton School Board, he also brings an extensive portfolio of athletic growth while also promoting academic excellence.

“I’m ready to come in with new information and knowledge for the student-athletes and help them move their careers, both academically and in volleyball, to the next level,” Mr. Walker said. “The role is to do the best that we can and be the best person we can possibly can be, so that on and off the court, in the classroom, in the community, with your family, you’re always pursuing to become better. I hope I can bring that type of mentality to the student-athletes.”

With experience working with athletes and growing the sport of volleyball at local and provincial levels, Mr. Walker is the current and founding president of SportsCan, which provides services to athletes and coaches as they develop and work towards their full potential. He also looks forward to becoming acquainted with the broader Peterborough community, noting, “I’m looking forward to learning new things from the Peterborough community, the student-athletes, staff and students at Trent University and looking forward to the next coaching chapter of my life as well.”