Ottawa Youth Volleyball Training

Train with purpose. Compete with confidence.

Lotus Volleyball Academy develops youth athletes through position-specific training, high-repetition skill work, video analysis, and a supportive team-first environment.

Small groups Video feedback Position labs
Summer Training

Built for Train-to-Compete athletes

Structured sessions for athletes who want more touches, better habits, and clear feedback between club seasons.

  • Private and semi-private training
  • Weekend development sessions
  • Setter, Libero, Outside, and Middle labs
  • Individual improvement plans
8–10athletes max for development groups
1:1private coaching available
5core skills tracked
100%athlete-centred feedback

About Us

The story, the people, and the purpose behind Lotus.

01

Our History

Lotus Volleyball Academy was founded by Tuan Nguyen and Byron Lee as part of an initiative to support the Asian and “9-man” community with high-level volleyball development rooted in the cultural elements and values of Asian culture: respect, community, personal & professional development, and family. For over 30 years, our academy has supported the development of individuals from Montreal to Toronto, settling its base in Ottawa in 2008 to coincide with the founding of the 9-man community in Ottawa. Though quiet and private, our reputation has grown over the years, with many family and friends of our players asking to be invited onto the training. In 2026, we decided to open the doors by adding an extra training day on an invite-only basis upon registration. With this evolution of our community, our mission, too, has evolved.

02

Founders & Advisors

Tuan Nguyen
Co-Founder

Tuan Nguyen

Father · 30-year digital entrepreneur · Community builder

Tuan brings over 34 years of volleyball experience at the national level and 30 years of coaching. His specialty is technical training for setting and hitting, and he has run private programs across Quebec and Ontario, training many varsity players across Canada. That initiative grew into Lotus Volleyball Academy over the years. Tuan currently runs the youth training program for competitive players.

Byron Lee
Co-Founder

Byron Lee

Father · Public servant · Founder of the Ottawa Mystics

Byron has over 20 years of volleyball experience as a player and coach and is the founder of the 9-man volleyball community in Ottawa, the Ottawa Mystics. He has played for national clubs in Montreal and Toronto and now leads the junior development team for the community — advanced, typically national-level club players from Quebec and Ontario. As the volleyball-IQ leader of the community, Byron drives team development, strategy, and culture.

Jackie Nguyen
Successor

Jackie Nguyen

12+ years of volleyball · Youth development lead

Jackie has over 12 years of volleyball experience and is the newest addition to Lotus Volleyball Academy through succession planning. He currently runs the youth development program alongside Tuan — and no, he’s not related to Tuan, though they’re like brothers. His incredible commitment to both player development and the wider community has made it clear that he will take Lotus Volleyball Academy to the next level.

03

Our Mission

The academy's mission is to create an inclusive volleyball development environment that celebrates and supports the Asian community while welcoming athletes from all backgrounds who are passionate about improving their skills and growing within the sport.

Train with purpose. Build confidence. Develop your game.

Coaching Staff

Experienced coaches. Real backgrounds.

Lotus Volleyball Academy is led by coaches with national-level playing and coaching experience at the club, college, university, and professional levels.

Assistant Coaches

Naoki Nakashima – Assistant Coach, Libero Lab
Assistant Coach Libero Lab

Naoki Nakashima

Libero · 7 years · National Club & College

  • OCAA 2nd Team All-Star
  • Algonquin MVP + Captain
  • 1× CCAA All-Canadian
  • #1 Defensive Leader in OCAA · Most digs in Algonquin history
Connor Finnie – Assistant Coach, Hitter Lab
Assistant Coach Hitter Lab

Connor Finnie

Middle / Outside · 8 years · National Club, OCAA & Pro

  • 2021 Algonquin Wolves Rookie of the Year
  • 3× OCAA East All-Star
  • Professional volleyball — TSV Mühldorf, Germany
Mia Ladd – Assistant Coach, Setter Lab
Assistant Coach Setter Lab

Mia Ladd

Setter · 9 years · National Club, Team Ontario & AUS

  • 2022 Team Ontario Selection
  • 18U National Bronze Medalist & MVP
  • 2025–2026 USport All-Canadian
  • 3rd Year at Université de Moncton & Captain
Aly Saydam – Assistant Coach, Setter Lab
Assistant Coach Setter Lab

Aly Saydam

Setter · 9 years · National Club & OUA

  • OUA All Rookie Team · Trent MVB Rookie of the Year
  • 4× USport All-Canadian
  • All-time leader in assists & digs at Trent University

Programs

Position-specific training for serious development.

Each program is designed to give athletes focused reps, clear technical cues, and a better understanding of their role on the court.

Setter Lab

Control the offence

Footwork, hand shape, tempo, location, decision-making, and leadership habits for developing setters.

Libero Lab

Own first contact

Serve receive, defensive reads, platform control, emergency skills, and communication under pressure.

Outside Hitter Lab

Score in all phases

Passing, attacking range, transition footwork, out-of-system swings, serving, and defensive responsibility.

Middle Lab

Fast, physical, and disciplined

Blocking footwork, timing, quick attack routes, transition speed, eye sequencing, and serving pressure.

Private Training

Individual feedback

1-on-1 sessions with video review, custom development plans, and focused work on the athlete’s biggest needs.

Small Group

Competitive reps

High-energy training with athletes grouped by level, position, and development goals.

Our Approach

Train the details that show up in matches.

Lotus sessions are built around game-like learning, high-quality corrections, and clear athlete accountability. We focus on what athletes can apply immediately in club, school, and competitive environments.

Game-based learning Video analysis Skill progressions Confidence building

Core skills we track

Passing
Serving
Attacking
Setting
Defending

Pricing

Simple, flexible pricing.

Drop in for a single position session or commit to the full five-week program. Same pricing across every lab, so athletes can choose the lab that fits their game.

View Pricing & Labs

Drop-in $75 · 5-week program $300 ($60 per session)

Registration Form

Simple start. Clear development plan.

Every athlete begins with registration information so training can be matched to their position, goals, experience, and current development needs.

Complete Registration
01Submit athlete information and training goals.
02Choose position lab, private training, or small group training.
03Train with focused reps and coaching feedback.
04Receive video clips, notes, and next-step recommendations.

Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Who is Lotus Volleyball Academy for?

Youth athletes who want extra development outside of club or school volleyball, especially athletes looking for position-specific feedback and more high-quality reps.

Do athletes need club experience?

No. Athletes can be grouped by level, position, and goals so training stays challenging but appropriate.

Where are sessions located?

Sessions are based in Ottawa. Confirmed gym locations, dates, and times can be shared after registration.

What does private training include?

Private training includes individual coaching, video analysis when available, a summer improvement focus, and clear feedback for athletes to review on their own.

Book Training

Ready to start?

Fill out the registration form or contact Lotus Volleyball Academy to ask about private training, small group sessions, and position labs.