Wednesday, May 5, 2010, Calgary, Alberta – SAIT Trojans men's volleyball head coach Ryan Marsden has been named head coach of the 2010 Canadian junior men's national team program by Volleyball Canada.

The junior national program offers young athletes with senior team potential the opportunity to train and represent Canada in international competition at an earlier age.

The intent of the program is to train for and compete in the 2010 North Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (Norceca) Junior Tournament in August, and to qualify for the 2011 World Championship. The Norceca tournament includes teams from Canada, United States, Puerta Rico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

Marsden is excited to have a large talent pool to choose from to build a contending national team.

"There are a huge number of players in that age group across the nation," says Marsden. "Working with new faces makes me a bit nervous. Many will be first or second year university or college players and may even be from high school. They will be in age groups that I don't know well. But we will have good communication with their other coaches."

Prior to the junior team selection this July, Marsden has other national volleyball duties to fulfil with his new position. Later this month, he’ll go to the new national team training centre in Gatineau, Quebec to help choose the senior men's national team and learn the national volleyball system.

Marsden's national team commitments are in July and August and won’t conflict with his head coach duties for SAIT. The Trojans volleyball exhibition season starts in September.

Under Ryan Marsden's leadership last season, the Trojans won a CCAA Silver Medal and the ACAC Championship, their first provincial crown in 25 years. Marsden has been part of the SAIT coaching staff for three seasons.

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