Coaches
John Bird - jbird@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Assistant Endurance Coach (Grade 4+)
Larry Blaschuk - lblaschuk@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Power/Speed Assistant Coach (Grade 11+)
First involved in Track as an International level official before being invited to start coaching. Is now in his 6th year with Vancouver Thunderbirds. Has coached numerous BC High School champions, Canadian Junior and Senior Champions, and Western Canada and Canada Summer Games Gold medalists. Larry is the personal coach for Mike Mason, the BC Record holder in the event and a longtime National Team member as a World Junior Champion, a 2008 Olympian, a 2010 Commonwealth Games team member, and a FISU and NACAC medalist. Larry is motivated to continue to give back to the sport that he feels passionately about and feels that he has taken much more from the sport than he can ever hope to give back.
James Buhlman - james@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Head Coach of Power/Speed - Multi Events
Formerly with Athletics PEI as the Technical Director, James has coached a number of excellent athletes over a wide variety of events. James has developed top talent wherever he has coached. He has experience and accomplishments in throwing, hurdling, horizontal jumps and sprints; placing his athletes both on provincial and national teams.
James is an NCCP Learning Facilitator and enjoys teaching the sport of Athletics to all ages.
Graeme Fell - graeme@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Elementary / JD Coach
- Assistant Endurance Coach (Grade 8+)
- Assistant Power/Speed Coach (Grade 8+)
Began his career as a club athlete in England running cross-country and competing in all events. Specialized in steeplechase as he grew older, earned National team spots on first Britain and then Canada. Competed at Commonwealth, Olympic and World Championships and still holds the Canadian Record in the Steeplechase. He has been an elementary teacher for 16 years and has coached at elementary, high school and international level. His goal is to build successful, life long, athletes.
Curt Heywood - cheywood@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Pole Vault Coach
Curt grew up in Penticton and attended Linfield College in the US competing at the NAIA Div 2 Level, winning three Northwest Conference titles and the NAIA indoor and outdoor pole vault championships on numerous occasions. He represented Canada in the 1993 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, B.C. earning the silver medal in the pole vault and also competed in the decathlon at the college level. He has a degree in finance and runs his own company; Functional Athletics.
Byron Jack - bjack@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Intermediate Power/Speed
- Assistant Elementary / JD Coach
Reached National level as a triple-jump athlete and has been coaching since 1985. He has degrees in Physical Education and Education and is certified as a level 3 Jumps Coach. Still competes at the Masters’ Level internationally
Chris Johnson - cjohnson@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Endurance Coach (Grade 8+)
Chris competed at the national level in the 800m level and transferred the knowledge he built up during his lengthy track career into coaching at the high school level. His Saint Georges cross-country team has been leading contenders for provincial titles under his leadership, winning the boys title and first two individual places in 2010. His athletes have won numerous titles at the provincial track championship.
Laurier Primeau - lprimeau@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Coaching Advisor
Laurier competed in both the decathlon and 400m hurdles internationally for Canada. He was the driving force behind the growth of the Vancouver Thunderbirds and coach with the club, at Saint Georges (where they won a BC High School team title under his reign) and at UBC before taking up the position as Head Coach with Scottish Athletics. He continues to consult for the club.
Paul Little - plittle@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Assistant Coach (High Jump) for Elementary and Intermediate Power Speed Group
Paul is a national level high jumper and has competed at the national club and university level with a best of 2.18. Winner of the Canada Games in 2009. He has been coach with Thunderbirds for the past 3 years. He motivates, puts the athlets through a variety of drills in a fun enjoyable manner.
Marcus Watson - mwatson@thunderbirdstrack.org
- Assistant Coach (Javelin) for Elementary and Intermediate Power Speed Group
Originally from Calgary, Marcus is in his first year student at UBC. A new addition to the Thunderbird coaching ranks, and he has already thrown over 65m in the Javelin, and brings energy, enthusiasm and a natural talent for coaching to his weekely sessions with the athletes.