Our Coaches
The Aviators Coaches and our staff come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Some are experienced players, some are teachers, some are professors, and some are high school or university students. The diversity of background and experiences outside of basketball is what makes our group so special, but we all have one thing in common and that is our dedication to providing a rewarding experience for our young athletes.
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Karen Olson - Owner and President Bookings Manager, Curriculum Editor, Full Time Teacher, and Full Time Mom. It is fair to say that Karen is a busy lady. Taking care of many administrative duties is also on her plate. In her spare time if she has any, she runs, knocking off 10 km every 3 days or so. Spending down time with her family is a reward for Karen.
Karen has been surrounded by basketball her entire life and when prodded will admit to being a Jordan era Bulls fan. |
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Ron Olson - General Manager/Coaching Director/Shooting Coach/Head Coach u15 Boys Ron's love for the game and his commitment to helping people is what makes him a dedicated Coach. Ron has volunteered as a Coach for the Edmonton Youth Basketball Association coaching at the Mini, Bantam and Midget level for many years and is currently the head coach for the DS Mackenzie Sr Boys. He is currently NCCP trained and is looking for certification in the near future. Ron conducts camps, skill sessions and clinics throughout the year, providing many opportunities for young athletes to improve their skills. Ron has collaborated, mentored, and worked with many coaches, adults and youth alike who share the same passion and are just as dedicated to the game as he is. When Ron is not involved with basketball, he is out at the lake camping and hanging out with his awesome family and close friends.
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Harold Cornish - U15 UK Friendship Tour Head Coach The arrival of coach Harold Cornish to the organization, has been great Basketball in Edmonton. Never has a coach been more in tune with the youth athletes than Harold is with his young charges. Coach Harold's experience has been at the provincial level in Ontario winning a National Championship with the Special Olympics Basketball team and is NCCP certified, among many other accolades. The former Edmonton Police Officer will bring the right combination of hard work, discipline and patience that is required in building a winning program. Harold is currently the head coach for the Aviator Aces U13 Boys and also coaching the Junior NBA Program. (www.jrnbaedmonton.com)
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Ojas Srivastava - Coach 3 on 3 Skills DevelopmentOjas Srivastava has been around all facets of the game including playing basketball at all levels since he was in grade 4, refereeing, and now coaching with us! “Coach O” as the kids love to call him, started helping out with the Bantam-Boys in 2015. He has definitely caught the coaching bug and head coached of his own U13 boys in 2016. He is looking to advance his coaching by way of coaching Minis or Bantams during the fall/winter and U11/U13 in the summer! Off the court, he can be found at the University of Alberta completing his science undergraduate degree, watching Netflix (specifically Breaking Bad/How to Get Away with Murder/the 100), cheering on the Raptors, or hanging out with his friends!
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Brett Roughead - Coach and Skill Development U15/U17Brett is currently coaching with the Aviators "Aces" U15 Boys Program which is in its second year of competition. Brett brings an unusually calming effect to the bench that is contagious and admired by the Aces players and he is a great mentor to our young athletes. Small town work ethic and principles are obvious from the first time you chat with Brett.
Brett played for the University of Alberta Golden Bears Basketball team for four years. He has also played three seasons with the St. Mary's University Lightning in Calgary with two seasons of ACAL play and one in the ACAC. Brett recently graduated with his B Sc in Biology and is working towards his Masters in a Cell Biology lab with the University. Here are some of the awards Brett has collected as a University Athlete so far: -Most Improved Player 2010-2011 & Sportsmanship and Leadership Award 11-12 & 12-13 (St Mary’s University College Lightning Basketball) -CCAA Academic All Canadian 2012-13 (STMU Lightning Basketball) -CIS Academic All Canadian 2013-14, 14-15, 15-16 (University of Alberta Golden Bears Basketball) -CWUAA Champions and CIS National Bronze Medallist 2013-14 (UofA Golden Bears Basketball) -Deans List - 14-15 &15-16 -Presidents Trophy Award 2016. (These are student-athletes that display leadership and contributions to their respective teams.) -CWUAA Champions 2015-2016 |
We are always looking for coaches from all kinds of backgrounds to help us deliver a basketball experience to our athletes. Our Head Coaches will have or are pursuing their NCCP Certification for the appropriate level of competition. We will also train from within so if your just getting started, come join us as well!
Past Volunteers and Coaches
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Mackenzie Adair - CoachMackenzie has been playing community basketball and school basketball for the past 4 years. She played on the senior team all through out junior high and was one of the four grade 10 girls picked to play on her high schools senior varsity team. An NCCP trained coach, she has been an assistant coach for the past 2 years in various roles. She has coached mini's girls and worked with bantam boys. Coach Mac continues to support youth basketball through community programs.
"I have a passion for the game and I am excited to be able to share that with others." -Mackenzie Adair |
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Chris Herd - CoachChris Herd first got the coaching bug when assisting Coach Ron in 2013-14, and took on his own Mini-Boys team the following season. He is currently NCCP FUNdamentals (trained) is looking to advance his coaching experience by working with the Aviators. Chris loves the game, from watching to coaching to playing. He has played the game off and on since high school, and now plays in a recreational league as much as he can, but has yet to win the T-shirt. When not coaching kids, Chris teaches University students how to become better geologists. Coach Chris continues to work with community programs to this day.
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