Junior Coyotes · Kelowna
Basketball Coaches in Kelowna Who Lived the Game
Your child's coach here plays or coaches at the college level right now, has worn a national team jersey, or has spent decades in Kelowna gyms. Meet all eighteen, starting with the two directors who run the club.
Updated for Fall 2026
The directors
Junior Coyotes is run by two people who are in the gym coaching every week, not a front office. Andrew and Jessica lead every program in the club.
Director · Junior Coyotes
Andrew Gini
Director and Coach · Head Coach, Okanagan College Women's Basketball
- Has coached at the CCAA college level for over 5 years, building the Okanagan College program from the ground up
- 2022 PacWest Coach of the Year and CCAA National Coach of the Year finalist
- 2022 PacWest Provincial Champion, qualifying OC for the CCAA Nationals
- 2024 PacWest Silver Medalist
- 3 year Masters in High Performance Coaching at UBC Vancouver (Final Month)
- Level 3 NCCP coaching certification, with a Bachelors in Kinesiology and Business
- Played at Lakehead University and Algoma University
- Coaches the Boys Fall Club Grades 7–8 team alongside Rick Shaw
Director · Junior Coyotes
Jessica Tupper
Director and Coach · Head Coach, Girls Fall Club
- Played 4 years with Okanagan College
- 2022 PacWest Provincial Champion and 2024 PacWest Silver Medalist
- Qualified for CCAA Nationals twice, in 2022 and 2024
- CCAA National Scholar Award winner, honouring excellence on the court and in the classroom
- Featured in the PacWest Best In Class series
- Has coached club teams, academies and camps for over 8 years
- Leads the Coyotes girls program with our women coaches
The staff in numbers
Meet the coaches
Our coaches work across every program through the year, so instead of sorting them by program, browse them by what they bring. Or let the shuffle introduce you.
18 coaches. One club. Meet one at random.
Dario Gini
Assistant Coach, OC Men's Basketball · Boys Coach
Full coaching resume
- Assistant Coach with the Okanagan College men's basketball program
- Played USports basketball for the UBCO Heat from 2012 to 2015
- Came up through Immaculata in Kelowna
- Coaches Coyotes boys across teams and leagues
Rick Shaw
Boys Coach · Fall Club Grades 7–8 (with Andrew Gini)
Full coaching resume
- Coaches the Grade 7–8 boys club team through practices, league games and tournaments
Nathan Lamb
Head Coach, Boys Fall Club Grades 9–10
Full coaching resume
- Former Okanagan College Coyotes player
- Came to Kelowna from Australia
- Has coached across Coyotes leagues and teams
Anto Luraghi
Head Coach, Girls Fall Club · Paraguay National Team
Full coaching resume
- Point guard for the Paraguay national team in both 5v5 and 3x3 basketball
- Played the FIBA South American Women's Championship 2024 and the U17 and U18 South American championships
- Represented Team Paraguay in 3x3 at the ASU2025 Games in Asunción
- Attended the NBA Basketball Without Borders camp
- Point guard on the current OC Coyotes women's roster, from Asunción, Paraguay
- Coaches every Girls Fall Club team with Jessica Tupper, with a focus on helping kids develop their skills
Sarah Litrico
Coyotes Coach · Plays Pro in Milan
Full coaching resume
- Plays professionally in Milan for Bocconi
- Attended an Italian senior national team camp in Italy
- Guard with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues
- Played a prep year at Capital Courts Academy in the OSBA
- Twice selected to U17 Team BC, winning silver at the 2022 U17 Canadian National Championships
- Dual Italian and Canadian citizen, a 5'10" combo guard
- Kelowna raised, and helped her high school team to an undefeated regular season and a Kelowna Valley championship
Noah Steingart
Coyotes Coach · Captain, OC Men's Basketball
Full coaching resume
- Team captain of the Okanagan College Coyotes men's team
- Fourth-year 6'3" wing from Carstairs, Alberta
- Played at St. Mary's University before Okanagan College
- Veteran leader of the OC program
Timi Orifa
Coyotes Coach · Forward, OC Men's Basketball
Full coaching resume
- 6'6" forward on the current OC Coyotes men's roster
- Came up through prep basketball before college
- From Calgary, Alberta
- Known for athleticism, versatility and a relentless work ethic
Iris Sylvester
Girls Program Coach · OC Women's Basketball
Full coaching resume
- Plays for the Okanagan College Coyotes women's team
- Grew up on Vancouver Island as a multi-sport athlete and picked basketball in Grade 10
- Living proof that starting late is not too late, now coaching the next group of girls
Dean Corrado
Mini & Micro Ballers Coach · 40 years in Kelowna gyms
Full coaching resume
- Has led the Coyotes Microballers group for the past few seasons
- 30 years as a physical education specialist for the Kelowna School Board
- 40 years coaching community, school and college teams
Laura Gini
Mini & Micro Ballers Coach
Full coaching resume
- Coaches our youngest players in the Mini and Micro Ballers program
Austin Swedish
Boys Coach
Full coaching resume
- Played PacWest college basketball at Okanagan College and Douglas College
- From Surrey, BC
Inder Deol
Coyotes Coach · Guard, OC Men's Basketball
Full coaching resume
- Guard on the current OC Coyotes men's roster
- An explosive and shifty 6-foot guard, playing since age 7
- From Surrey, BC
Oaklen Kowal
Coyotes Coach · Guard, OC Men's Basketball
Full coaching resume
- Fourth-year guard on the OC Coyotes men's team
- Kelowna born and raised, played at Kelowna Senior Secondary, with time at UBCO
Kane Warren
U15 Boys Coach
Full coaching resume
- Coaches the Grade 9–10 boys club team with Nathan Lamb
Brandon Porter
Boys Coach
Full coaching resume
- Assistant Coach with the Okanagan College men's basketball program
- Played 5 years at Okanagan College
- Came up through Rutland Senior Secondary in Kelowna
Thom Gillespie
College and Club Coach
Full coaching resume
- Assistant Coach with the Okanagan College men's basketball program
- Has coached at the college and university level and with club programs
The college connection
Junior Coyotes is intertwined with Okanagan College Basketball, so our players are coached by people competing and coaching at the college level right now, not just remembering it. See who is on the floor this season on the OC women's roster and the OC men's roster, and see where our own players ended up on the girls graduates and boys graduates pages.
Our mission
OC Basketball and Junior Coyotes Basketball was started in 2018 when we joined the PacWest for our first season in the CCAA. BC250 club basketball which began in 2014 was merged into Junior Coyotes Basketball. Since 2018 we have built a successful program intertwined within the community. It is our mission to educate and empower our players with confidence, commitment, and integrity, so they can live a productive, successful life. Our program emphasizes respect for teammates, peers and community by instilling a code of ethics built on honesty, integrity, responsibility and teamwork. Developing resilience and strong communication skills is at the forefront of our player development. It is our intention to create an environment where every player in our program can reach their full potential, develop their talents and skills in their game and most importantly in life.
Want to coach with us?
We are always looking for great people who love working with kids and love the game. Email andrew@juniorcoyotes.com and tell us about yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Who will coach my child this fall?
Our coaches work across every program through the year. Club teams have named head coaches each season, and this fall Girls Fall Club is led by Jessica Tupper and Anto Luraghi while the boys club teams are led by Andrew Gini, Rick Shaw, Nathan Lamb and Kane Warren. League and camp groups are coached by the staff on this page, assigned before each season starts. Email us and we will tell you exactly who your child will have.
What qualifications do Coyotes coaches have?
Our staff includes current Okanagan College coaches and varsity players, a Masters in High Performance Coaching at UBC, Level 3 NCCP certification, a 2022 PacWest Coach of the Year, a Paraguay national team point guard, and coaches with decades of experience in Kelowna schools and gyms. Every resume on this page is real and listed in full.
Did the coaches actually play at a high level?
Yes. Coyotes coaches played at Lakehead, Algoma, UBCO, St. Mary's, Douglas College, the University of Toronto and Okanagan College. Anto Luraghi plays for the Paraguay national team, Sarah Litrico plays professionally in Milan, and several coaches are on the OC Coyotes roster right now, so your child learns from people still living the game.
Do girls get coached by women?
Yes. Our girls programs are led by Jessica Tupper, Anto Luraghi and Iris Sylvester, alongside other Okanagan College women's players and coaches. Girls see coaches who played the game at the level they are aiming for.
Can I talk to a coach before registering?
Any time. Email andrew@juniorcoyotes.com with your child's age and experience, and we will give you a straight answer about which program and coach is the right fit.
The coaching is the product
Gyms and jerseys are everywhere. Coaching like this is not. See what your child can join this fall, every program and price is on one page.