Canada's Shannon Winzer shines as lone female head coach at women's volleyball worlds

Amid the balls bouncing off the court, squeaking sneakers and ear-throbbing music at the women's world volleyball championships, there is one thing Canadian head coach Shannon Winzer won't see or hear. 

Another female head coach. 

As astounding as that sounds in this day and age, of the 24 teams at the world championships in the Netherlands and Poland, coach Winzer stands alone.

"Working in this space, I think it's a big deal for other women to see it's possible, not just because I'm a woman but because I'm a woman who's married and has a young family," Winzer said. "There's a way to make it work. I hope being a bit more visible will allow other women to do the same."

Canadian captain and veteran middle blocker Jennifer Cross says Winzer has brought a dynamic that they haven't had before.

"Being the head of a female team, for us, shows that it doesn't matter if you have a family or kids, you can still follow your dreams to the ultimate level. That's something that's trickled down through our program," said Cross, a 30-year-old native of Scarborough, Ont.

"Also she's like one of us. She was a player herself so she has that perspective of what playing pro is like, and what being away from your family is like. It's something we can bond over." 

Cross notes Winzer's communication and delegation skills as particular strengths.

"Shannon does a great job of having a really great feedback loop with us, keeping us involved in the process. I feel like I can go to her about anything in life or in volleyball.

"It's nice to have a coach that you trust in that way, who not only cares about you as an athlete but also someone who cares about you as a person." 

Make no mistake, coaching is an intense, all-consuming job. From goal setting