Coaches
The strength of our programs is based on the excellence and professionalism of our coaching staff. Our Women’s and Men’s Head coaches have been selected as Most Valuable Coaches (MVC) at the Canadian National Club Championships (NCC).
The single greatest thing that sets the Pacific Storm Water Polo club apart from other water polo clubs is our coaches. Storm coaches have a way of bringing out the best in kids in a way that helps them reach their full potential. Storm boasts the highest coach to athlete ratio in the province with a coaching staff that is made up of a Canadian National Team Coaches and former National Team players.
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NikolaNikola Maric, or Nik as he’s usually known, has a history rich in water polo and is absolutely passionate about the sport. Nik has a long term vision for the players, and the teams of Pacific Storm! Nik has been recognized as NDPL coach of the year and the Most Valuable Coach (MVC) at NCC tournaments! His goals are to promote the development of players of all ages to ensure they are well positioned to compete successfully at NDPL tournaments and eventually capture positions on Canada’s National Team. |
JohnJohn Stocksdale or “JC” is one of the most experienced Water Polo Coaches in Canada having coached for 35 years at almost every different level from Bantam to Senior in a variety of different programs including recreational, competitive, Team B.C., collegiate level and senior levels. John’s love of the sport stems from his own 10 years playing the game for both the Coquitlam Lions and SFU and the Sr. Men’s Nationals in 1974 and 1975. He has his Level 3 NCCP Coaching Certification and is one of the few Course Conductors in B.C. qualified to certify coaches. John is committed to supporting our athletes in their quests for university play, becoming National Team members and creating future leaders for B.C.’s water polo community. |
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SamSam Donoghue started playing water polo in 2001 with the North Vancouver Cruisers. He then went on to play for Pacific Storm, Team BC and Hvk Jadran Neum in Croatia. In 2012, Sam started coaching with Pacific Storm and has high hopes for his 10th season. He is looking forward to coaching the Girls Program again this year. Sam is a carpenter who builds and renovates houses all over the lower mainland and spends his free time to golfing and hiking with his wife, Tamara and their dog, Wilson. |
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MattMatt Gore started playing water polo in 1998, was an age group player for Storm from 2001 until 2006, and represented Canada at the 2005 and 2007 U20 World Championships. He has been coaching since the mid 2000s, and has had the privilege of coaching many teams including Team BC, Team Alberta, Calgary Torpedoes, and most recently Pacific Storm until 2014. Outside the pool, Matt is a Professional Engineer and works in construction. He lives with his wife Natalia and their dog, cat, and ferret. He is looking forward to getting back on the pool deck after a 7 year break. |
DanielaDaniela Miyahara a Peruvian elite swimmer, who specialized in mid-distance and long-distance Freestyle events. I represented Perú at the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics, World Championships from 2009-2016 and Pan Am Games in Guadalajara and Toronto, 2011 and 2015. I will love to see you swimming with me at pool deck!🐬 |
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GarrettCoach Garrett Davis joined Pacific Storm in 2018 with the U19 Men’s team and almost had a undefeated season. He has played on Age group National Teams since he was sixteen years old and got a scholarship to Arizona for Water polo as well. When Coach Garrett isn’t at the pool, he is working in his father’s business. |
RyanHello!! My name is Ryan, and I have been playing for Storm since i was 13. Now days you can still find me either in the pool or on the deck! The club has really seen me grow up and I look foward to coaching and sharing my passion and love of the game with the next generation! See you on the pool deck |
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EvanHello! My name is Evan, and I have been playing for Storm since 2016. I’ve played for them for the past five years and they’ve helped me to grow not only as a player but as a person too. I’ve learned so much and now I will be coaching to give back to the club and help the younger generation. |
LiamCoach Liam Milne/Moose joined the Pacific Storm U14 boys in 2015. Liam started as a goalie and transitioned to hole set in U16 when he was given the nickname Moose by his coaches. It’s hard to miss Moose coaching on the pool deck as he stands taller than coach Nik! Liam has been coaching the newest Storm athletes since spring of 2021 and looks forward to hitting the water with his teammates one last time when they compete this fall. When he is not at the pool Liam is studying hard at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. |
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HayleyHayley McKelvey started her water polo career with the North Delta Sunfish in 2005. She then went on to join Pacific Storm where she developed her skills. After she graduated from Seaquam Secondary she played water polo at USC where she won two NCAA championships and graduated with a degree in Health and Human Sciences with a minor in Occupational Science. Hayley is now a member of the Senior Women’s National Team with whom she recently competed at the Tokyo 2020ne Olympics. She is looking forward to coaching this season, sharing her experiences and knowledge with the next generation of water polo. Off the pool deck she hopes to become an Occupational Therapist one day. |
