Patrick Dunsmore – 18U White – Associate Coach
Patrick is a Certified Development Coach with Volleyball Canada. This marks his eighth year with the Park Girls Volleyball Club, and first year coaching with the 18U program.
Patrick has been heavily involved in athletics his entire life. While growing up in Calgary he played every sport possible, winning City Championships in soccer, basketball, and hockey. He was introduced to volleyball in Jr. High and immediately developed a passion for the sport which has carried forward over 30 years later. Patrick initially played as a setter from grade 7 through grade 11, but after a significant growth spurt in High School, he transitioned to an outside hitter for Grade 12. In 1996 he was a walk-on for the SAIT Trojan men’s volleyball team where he competed for four seasons in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). During his tenure with the Trojans, Patrick played a pivotal role in transforming the men’s volleyball program from a 2nd last place finish in the ACAC South Division to the No. 1 ranked team in Canada.
After moving to Edmonton in the summer of 1999, he became involved in several Men’s, Co-ed, and Beach volleyball leagues where he eventually met his wife, Tara. Together they shared the same love of the sport and competed in local leagues & tournaments throughout Western Canada for more than a decade, winning 10 Tier 1 league championships and multiple co-ed tournaments. They are now sharing their same passion for the sport of volleyball with their 3 daughters while residing in Sherwood Park.
As a coach, Patrick is focused on long-term player development with an emphasis on proper technique and fundamental skills. He always expects the best from his players through constant effort while maintaining a positive team culture. Patrick’s vision for his players is to achieve both individual and team success, and he takes pride in his ability to bring out their full potential as confident athletes while also challenging them to become stronger mentally and physically. Prior to coaching volleyball, Patrick gained valuable experience coaching 16 seasons of soccer for the SPDSA, 5 of those as head coach with the girl’s Phoenix program. Patrick holds multiple Canadian Soccer Association coaching certificates.
Highlights of his Volleyball Alberta Premier Tournament coaching career include:
-Division 1 Bronze in 2022 in Premier 1 with 13U-White
-Back-to-back Division 1 Gold in 2022 in Premier 1 & 2 with 14U
-Back-to-back Division 1 Gold in 2023 in Premier 1 & 2 with 13U-White
-Division 1 4th Place in Provincials in 2023 with 13U-White
-Division 1 Silver in 2024 in Premier 2 with 14U-White
-Tier 2 Silver in 2025 in Premier 2 with 15U-White
-Tier 2 Gold in 2025 in Premier 2 with 17U-White
-Division 1 4th Place in Provincials in 2025 with 15U-White
As a player, Patrick has achieved remarkable team and individual success. Partnering with Mike Funk in 1999, they were the Alberta Men’s Beach Doubles Provincial Champions. While competing for SAIT, Patrick was an integral part of the 1999 ACAC Provincial bronze medalist team, the 2001 ACAC Provincial silver medalist team, and the 2001 CCAA National silver medalist team. His individual accolades are equally impressive, being named the SAIT Men’s Volleyball team Most Valuable Player for the 1997/1998 and 1998/1999 seasons, earning a spot on the ACAC All-Conference team for the 1997/1998 and 1998/1999 seasons, and being awarded All-Tournament Team honors at the 2001 CCAA National Championship. Patrick also currently holds three ACAC individual statistic records.