Nathan Groenveld was named the head coach of the Lions men’s volleyball team in 2018 and is the fourth head coach in the history of the program.
Groenveld, a former member of Canada’s senior national team, finished his playing career in 2010, and was named head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Niagara College prior to the 2010-11 season. In eight years with the Knights, he led the team to an overall record of 96-62, including 74-35 in his last six years. His run as head coach was highlighted by an OCAA gold medal in 2014-15, followed by a bronze medal at the CCAA national championships the same year. The bronze medal at nationals was the first team medal at a national championship in school history.
He has also remained active at the national and provincial levels, serving in a number of roles since 2014. Most recently, he was named an assistant coach for Team Canada’s U19 squad for the summer of 2021. He has also been the lead coach of the youth national team east selection camp and assistant coach of the national B team. In addition to coaching roles, Groenveld’s volleyball resume includes stints as a member of Volleyball Canada’s national high performance selection committee and as Technical Director for the Niagara Region Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence.
As a player, Groenveld starred at McMaster University and led the Marauders to two OUA championships during his five years with the team. The 6-foot-7 middle picked up a number of awards during his university career, including a first-team all-Canadian selection, OUA player of the year and two OUA first-team all-star selections. He was inducted into McMaster’s Hall of Fame in 2020.
Groenveld also played on the senior national team from 2007-10 and represented Canada at the NORCECA Continental Championships in 2009. Following his stint on the national team he spent six months playing professionally in Qatar before returning home to begin his coaching career.
