The George Brown Huskies are excited to announce the hiring of Blake Belcher as the new head coach of the men's volleyball team, effective immediately.
"When I got the call, I was so excited I did a mental backflip in my living room. If I had actually tried it, I probably would've hit my head on the ceiling, and honestly, I've never even been able to do one," Belcher said with a laugh. "I'm excited to bring my passion, energy, and experience to the team, while continuing to learn and grow alongside the athletes as we build success together."
Belcher brings more than 30 years of experience as both a player and coach to the Huskies program. Most recently, the certified NCCP coach has been involved with the Mountain Athletic Club (MAC) Volleyball Club in Hamilton since 2024, where he served as head coach of the U18 boys' team that qualified for the 2026 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships. He has also coached numerous OVA teams over the past five seasons.
He was part of the Team Ontario Regional Program in 2023 and has worked with the Team Ontario Tall Maples development program since 2025. In addition, Belcher owns and operates By Request Volleyball and Coaching, where he trains youth athletes in both beach and indoor volleyball. He continues to compete internationally with the International Veteran Volleyball Association (IVVA), most recently in Spain in 2025.
"Blake's high performance playing background combined with his coaching experience and fresh approach to program and player development will be an excellent fit for the next phase of George Brown Men's Volleyball", said Melanie Gerin-Lajoie, Senior Manager of Athletics & Recreation. "He has an infectious passion for the game, and we're looking forward to having that energy translate into another winning season for the Huskies."
As a player, Belcher competed in the OCAA as a middle blocker for both Seneca and Niagara College. He has continued to compete in high-performance environments and currently represents Canada on the international stage with the Masters Volleyball Team in both beach and indoor competition.
"As a former student-athlete at Seneca and Niagara College, I understand what it takes to succeed at a high level in sport, in the classroom, and in life. I strive to be more than just a coach; I want to be a mentor to our athletes. Success isn't only about the highs, it's about learning how to push through the tough days and continue growing," he stated. "I envision a team culture built on focus, open communication, and a commitment to competing at our highest level throughout the season."
The Huskies are coming off two successful seasons, posting a combined 20–14 record and qualifying for the playoffs in both campaigns. Belcher is eager to build on that momentum while setting clear goals for the program moving forward.
"In the short term, my focus is on getting to know the student-athletes, understanding their goals, and making sure we're prepared heading into our first match," he said. "Long term, we want to establish George Brown as a program recognized as a force within the OCAA and nationally. We also want to build a strong presence in the community and create an exciting atmosphere that draws fans in and keeps them engaged with our journey."
For more information on George Brown Men's Volleyball, contact Huskies Varsity Coordinator Mark Couch at mark.couch@georgebrown.ca. If you're interested in joining the team, please complete the prospective athlete form.
