Seda Tagged to Lead Sting to ‘Next Level’
The Seneca Sting are pleased to announce that Saba (Sedaghatkish) Seda has been named the Women’s Volleyball head coach.
A longtime coach with the Venom Vipers Volleyball Club, Seda has previously coached teams from 12U to 17U in the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) club system. With the Vipers Volleyball Club, Seda’s teams have reached the podium numerous times at both Ontario and East Coast Championships.
In addition to Seda’s experience as a coach, he has also completed the Community Coach and Development Coach pathways within the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) through the Coaches Association of Canada.
Manager of Varsity and Operations, John Sharpe, was impressed with Seda from the first moment they met and is confident that Seda will put the team in position to challenge the elite in the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA).
“The biggest thing that stood out to me about Saba was his professionalism and how he carries himself. He delivers his message confidently and builds trust (with you) from the outset.”
Seda will be taking over a Sting team which reached the OCAA Championship semi-final, losing in the bronze medal match. It was the team’s best finish since the 2000-01 season. Seda is looking to build off the recent success and have the Sting in contention for an OCAA medal annually.
“My goal remains consistent every year, regardless of the team: to compete. While it's still early to establish specific team goals without having had a practice yet, our long-term objective is to build a program that consistently reaches the final four and ultimately strives to win it all. We will foster a culture of hard work both on and off the court. Our commitment to relentless effort and dedication will be unwavering. We aim to outwork every other team in the CCAA, putting in the extra hours of training, conditioning, and studying the game. This level of dedication will be a key factor in our pursuit of excellence.”
Beyond the team’s recent success, Seda’s draw to Seneca began four decades ago.
“I was drawn to the position at Seneca for several reasons. One significant factor is a personal story that holds great meaning for me. In the mid-1980s, my parents independently immigrated to Toronto from Iran. Coincidentally, both chose Seneca College as their educational institution. It was at Seneca that they crossed paths, formed a connection, and eventually got married. I owe my existence to Seneca College, as it brought my parents together and provided the foundation for a fulfilling life for my family.”
In addition to the personal draw to Seneca, Seda also saw an opportunity to be a part of post-secondary sport and the positive influence it can have on an individual.
Through learned experiences as a former student-athlete (York University – Track) and high-performance athlete, Seda is well-positioned to not only teach and lead the team, but Seda also can put himself in the position of the student-athlete.
“One of the most significant lessons I gained from my experience as a student-athlete is the value of striking a healthy balance between athletics and academics. I had firsthand experience with the pressures that come from both aspects, and I understand how stress can sometimes take a toll. Drawing from my own journey, I aim to assist our athletes in developing superior time management skills. By doing so, they can enjoy the full spectrum of being a student-athlete while excelling on the court and in the classroom, all while avoiding burnout.”
As a coach, Seda admits he is always learning new ways to prepare and manage in-game strategies, but he believes strongly in his approach to profession.
“Coaching, in essence, is a blend of art and science. When it comes to developing systems and structures, I tend to lean more towards the analytical side. I believe in leveraging statistical analysis and utilizing data to shape our strategies. During games, I rely heavily on statistics and video analysis for making in-game adjustments and tactical decisions. However, I must also acknowledge the crucial role of the "eye-test" or intuition in assessing the flow of the game and making real-time adaptations.”
The Sting feel confident heading into the 2023-24 season with a mix of key returning players, an influx of new talent and Seda and his coaching staff leading the way.
Tryouts for the Women’s Volleyball team will commence the second week of September. The Sting will begin the regular season on October 21 against the Canadore Panthers.