KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBCO Heat women's volleyball team will have a familiar face leading the program for 2026-27 as long-time assistant coach Mark Broome has been named interim head coach and general manager for the upcoming season.
 
Broome, a former men's volleyball athlete with the Heat who has served as an assistant coach with women's team since 2018, takes over for long-time head coach Steve Manuel who announced he will retire prior to the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
 
"Mark has invested years into the success of the Heat women's volleyball program, and this opportunity is a testament to the work he has put in both on and off the court," said Layne McDougall, UBCO's Director, Athletics and Recreation - Operations. "His commitment to student-athlete development and his deep understanding of the culture built within the program make him a natural choice to lead the team and we look forward to supporting Mark as he guides the Heat through this transition phase."
 
"I am truly honoured to accept the role as interim head coach and general manager of the UBCO women's volleyball program," said Broome of the opportunity. "As a Heat alum and Kelowna native, this is a dream come true. UBCO has been my second home for the better part of 20 years and I could not have had a better mentor than Steve Manuel. I am grateful for the opportunity and excited for the journey ahead."
 
Aside from his time with the Heat, Broome brings a variety of coaching experience to the position. In addition to being an active coach in the high school and club scene in Kelowna, he served as an assistant coach with the Canadian Sitting Volleyball national team competing at the 2022 World Championship. He has also been spending time in the gym with Team Canada's Next Gen Program and coaching Team BC, adding to his high-performance coaching resume.
 
Broome was also a member of the Heat men's volleyball program from 2008 until 2012 earning several BCCAA and CCAA medals during his career. In his senior year, he was a member of the first Heat team to compete in Canada West. After his university career, Broome joined Team Canada and then played professionally for Flamingo Volley SM Tauras where he won a Baltic League Championship.
 
"Mark knows our values and the standard we've worked to establish over the years," said Manuel. "His experience and established relationships make him the right person to lead the Heat through this next chapter, and I look forward to watching the team's success while supporting Mark in his new role."
 
Broome takes over a program that graduated just three players from a season ago and has added a star-studded group of incoming recruits.
 
"This team has an extremely talented veteran core group of athletes and a strong recruiting class with tremendous potential," said Broome. "I look forward to continuing to build on a culture founded on trust, accountability and unwavering commitment to excellence that has been the cornerstone of this program."
 
The process to hire the on-going head coach of the Heat women's volleyball program will take place following the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.