GUELPH, Ont. – Natasha Spaling has been named head coach of the University of Guelph Gryphons women's volleyball program. Spaling, who has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Gryphons, will officially take over head coaching duties as of April 1, 2025. "I am extremely grateful to be selected as the next head coach of the Gryphons women's volleyball program," says Spaling, who takes over the U of G women's volleyball program following the recent retirement announcement of three-time OUA Coach of the Year, Paul Funk. Prior to arriving at the University of Guelph in 2021, Natasha Spaling completed her Masters of Coaching at the University of Alberta (2016-2018) where she helped guide the Pandas to a Canada West championship and a pair of U SPORTS silver medal finishes. Additional coaching stops at the post-secondary level for the Drayton, Ontario native include a stint as head coach of the women's volleyball program at Niagara College (OCAA, 2018-19) as well as a two-year stop at Queen's University in Kingston where she served in a full-time assistant coaching role for the Gaels women's volleyball program.
 
"The University of Guelph is a truly special place to work, with excellent leadership in our administration and athletic staff," adds Spaling, who achieved OUA All-Star status during her playing days as a student-athlete with the Waterloo Warriors (2011-2016). Spaling was a multi-year captain with the Warriors while earning a Bachelor of Science (kinesiology) from the University of Waterloo. "Most importantly, I feel very privileged to lead an incredibly talented group of Gryphon student-athletes with such skill and passion for the game. I am looking forward to a very bright future with this program."
 
Outside of her involvement at the collegiate level, Natasha also has extensive coaching experience at both the provincial and national levels. Spaling has helped lead the Team Ontario 'Red' and 'Black' programs, working with the province's top talent within the U16 and U17 age groups, while also serving as a member of the Team Ontario coaching staff for the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara Falls. At the national level, Natasha helped lead the youth national team (U17) to a bronze medal at the 2023 Canada Cup, while also working as an assistant coaching with Canada's U21 women's team. "Natasha is widely regarded as one of the best young coaches in the country and as such our student-athletes will be positively impacted by her knowledge, passion and enthusiasm," says Skye Angus, intercollegiate manager with the University of Guelph's Department of Athletics. " Even more than what she will bring to these athletes on the court, are her personal values, work ethic and dedication which will benefit this program day in and day out. We are very excited to welcome Natasha and her family to the Gryphon family."