About Us

The NLBT Story.

Why we do it?


We focus our attention equally on the naturally talented kids and the beginners barely able to do a layup. #believe


Our energy is endless. Over the years we have been fortunate to work with thousands of kids and have changed many lives both on and off the court, including our own. Kids continue to surprise and inspire us! #hardwork


Our team of certified and experienced coaches are passionate about raising the bar of basketball in our province, country and within our own program everyday. #together


How we do it?


Our program believes in a games approach to learning. Our coaches follow Basketball Immersion’s ZeroSeconds and Basketball Decision Training methods. #nextlevel


We are also heavily influenced by Canada Basketball and the Long Term Athlete Development model.


Our Philosophy.


Making mistakes is encouraged. #process 


At every session we put athletes at the edge of their skill sets both mentally and physically developing as much as possible in the time we have together. #skilldevelopment 


Discipline, working hard and having fun are non-negotiable.


Welcome to NLBT!


For those who love the game, want to have fun, meet friends, work hard and grow as a player and person...you have come to the right place!





The Team

Angela Torraville

COB - Chief of Basketball

Director and Lead Instructor for NLBT.  Angela is a NCCP Level 3 Train to Compete certified.  Angela was the Head Coach of Team NL 2022 Canada Games Women's Basketball Team and her dedication to NLBT and coaching in this province is next level.  Angela also was the Head Coach of the Senior A Women's Basketball Team at Gonzaga High School 2015-2022.


A former standout athlete in track, soccer and hoops, Coach Angela brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and championship experience to our program. Coach Angela was part of history with Memorial athletics by playing an integral role in winning the first ever AUS banner for the Women's Basketball program in 1995.#SeaHawk#multisport


Coach Angela spent 17 years in Calgary, AB after graduating from Memorial University in 1996.  She played in Div 1 Ladies League and coached at the Jr and Sr High school level as well as club in Calgary and Airdrie.  Coach Angela's dream of becoming a Police Officer came true in 2001 and she served 12 years with the Calgary Police Service before her and her husband decided to move back to the Rock in 2013.  Coach Angela is now back on the hardwood where it all began, fulfilling her first passion of molding and developing young basketball players in NL. #Persueyourdreams


In her free time Angela enjoys DIY projects, being on the river in a kayak, and hanging with friends probably listening to Pink. 

Steve Torraville

20

Coach Steve has  been playing and coaching the game of basketball for approximately 30 years.  Coach Steve played high school basketball and trained with the provincial programs in the early 80’s. He focuses on the fundamentals of the game and outworking the competition.  Coach Steve was also a successful rugby player with the Dogs Rugby Club. #multisportathlete


Coach Steve was the head coach of the Boys MDJH Grizzlies when they won Gr. 7 and 8 Provincial Championships in 2012 and 2014.  Coach Steve assisted younger sister, Coach Angela with the Gonzaga Girls Senior Basketball Team.#familytagteam  


Coach Steve has also been involved in the Provincial Program with the U14 and U15 Girls program in 2018 and 2019.


Coach Steve is NCCP Level 1 trained and is working with our Boys Programs.


In his free time, Coach Steve enjoys cooking, hiking and spending time with his family.

Nathan Childs

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Nathan is a former member of the Memorial Men's Basketball Program and a Gonzaga Viking graduate.   Coach Nathan had a standout basketball career at Gonzaga receiving several awards including MVP in grade 12 and Most Outstanding Contribution.  Coach Nathan has played in several off island tournaments including one in Florida.  He is a firm believer in " Teamwork makes the Dream Work".


Coach Nathan is currently coaching with the U14 and U16 Boys Programs and has his NCCP Learn to Train Certification.


Coach Nathan is studying nautical science and pursuing a career as a sea captain.  In his spare time he can be found playing basketball or enjoying the outdoors hiking or fishing.


Melanie Whyte

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Melanie is from Placentia and has been coaching at Laval since 2010 with the Junior and Senior Girls team.  Under her guidance they won several School Provincial Tournaments, including Grade 7, 8 and 9 Provincials in 2013.#Triplecrown.  In 2016-17, Coach Melanie lead the Laval Senior Girls team to a 3A Provincial banner.


Coach Melanie also coached boys and girls at St Annes Elementary from 2015-2019 and brought home their first ever banner in 2017 for Gr.5 Girls Provincials.


Coach Melanie joined our NLBT coaching staff in 2020 and is currently with our U14  and U16 Girls Program.  Coach Melanie is a certified NCCP Level 1 Learn to Train and is working towards her train to train certification. 


In her free time, Coach Melanie enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors, Atv/skidoos, kayaking, hiking and camping.


Amy Manning

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Amy has been a member of NLBT for 13 years and was one of the first players in the club. She played with NLBT club teams from U14 to U18 and was a member of several travel teams.


Coach Amy is a certified Learn to Train coach and was a volunteer coach with NLBT for several years. She is currently a part of the U14 girls and U16 girls programs.#giveback


Amy was a member of the 2022 Canada Games team coached by Coach Angela and they attended Canada Games in Niagara Falls this past summer. She was also a member of the PWC (pdub!) Cavaliers senior A team from grades 10-12 and was awarded MVP for the team in her senior year. 


Coach Amy is now in her 4th year at Memorial University pursuing a bachelor of science.


In her free time she enjoys playing basketball with NLBT Div 2 team and spending time with her family. She spends time with her dog and enjoys hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. 


Erin Critch Sr.

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Erin has been involved with coaching for 11 years, helping out at several schools and club. As a result she has been involved with many different age groups, but is currently working with the U14 girls. Coach Erin loves getting to know her athletes both on and off the court, as she believes the component of fun is key to development.


These hours put into the gym have helped her to be awarded volunteer of the year with NLBT and have also contributed in helping her achieve various levels of the Duke of Edinburgh award.


Coach Erin is certified in First Aid/CPR as well as the NCCP level 1 Learn to Train.


Coach Erin started playing basketball herself in 2009, making that 15 years of experience. For 3 years Coach Angela coached her at Gonzaga High School where they travelled to Florida. In her senior year she was awarded the school sports NL sportsmanship award. Although Coach Erin is a university student now she continues to shoot hoops in her driveway and stay active everyday.  Coach Erin can be seen on the bench with the Gonzaga Girls Senior B teams this season as well..#vikingforever


Coach Erin graduated from MUN with a HKR co-op degree.  She intends to become a physio or occupational therapist, however, she is still considering pursuing medicine. #dreambig


Corey Ford

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Corey started his basketball career in Brampton, Ontario as a dual athlete with their football program. 

Upon returning to Newfoundland, in the early 1990’s, Coach Corey continued his training and playing through the Mount Pearl Senior high school system. He went on to become an allstar in Men’s Division 1 and one of the top scoring forwards for several years. He continued his playing at various Mens Division leagues and tournaments earning multiple wins, awards and scoring titles.


Coach Corey has been fortunate to play all 5 positions on the court and finished his career as a long time contributor and player for basketball in Newfoundland and Labrador. With over 20 years of experience playing the game, he has an eye for detail and holds a high standard to playing the game the right way, out working the opponent and having his teammates back whether you win or lose.


Coach Corey has also coached at the Jr. High School level and has also reffereed Jr. and Senior High School games.


When not at basketball, you will find Coach Corey usually at the hockey rink and loves hiking with his family.


Stephanie Walsh

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Steph is going into her 4th season with NLBT at the Bay Bulls location. She has been a part of the coaching staff for both K-2 Co-Ed and U10 Girls for two seasons and for the 2024-25 season will be a part of the U10 Girls and U12 Girls programs with her daughters Madelyn and Nora. Steph is NCCP Level 2 Train to Train Certified and has aspirations to further her training. 


As a former St. Kevin's Maverick in the early 2000's, her biggest achievement was winning 3 back to back 4A Provincial Championships, finishing her 3 years of high school with a record of 114-0. Coach Steph continued her basketball pursuits at the University of New Brunswick, playing for the Varsity Reds in AUS action for 4 seasons. 


After graduating from UNB in 2009, she returned to NL to begin her teaching career as a high school Physical Education teacher. Coach Steph has been teaching and working as Athletic Director for the last 13 years at Queen Elizabeth Regional High School in Foxtrap. She has coached just about every sport there is at QE, but her main focus is on boys basketball. 


Coach Steph can be found at any QE Pioneers event, coaching her kids in any sport they are interested in, or hanging out with her dog Tully. 


Connie Costigan

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Connie has been coaching basketball for the last several years. She is very committed and dedicated in encouraging young players to reach their potential and be confident on the court.  Coach Connie is in her second year of coaching with our NLBT  Programs in Bay Bulls and can be found on the court molding our young athletes in the K-2 and U10 Girls Programs.


Coach Connie has completed her NCCP level one learn to train and is continuing building her training.


Coach Connie played high school basketball for five years which her team brought home a 4A championship and many wins over the years. She is involved in building up sports in her community by coaching and volunteering in basketball softball and soccer.


When Coach Connie is not coaching or volunteering in school and in her community you will find her working in her hair salon and spending time with her family.
 

Courtney Ells

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Courtney grew up playing club basketball in Nova Scotia and joined our NLBT Coaching family in 2019 when she moved to NL.   Coach Courtney is a NCCP Level 1 trained coach and is working with our U10 Program. #grassroots#FUNdamentals


Coach Courtney previously coached U12 girls basketball in Nova Scotia, where she was recognized with an award for her leadership and dedication as a young coach by her club's organization.


Outside of the gym, Courtney works as a genetic counsellor and in her spare time, she enjoys baking and cake decorating. #cakeboss

Meghan Greenland

COB - Chief of Basketball


Coach Meghan has been playing basketball for 14 years and played at the school, club, and national level. She represented the Newfoundland Provincial Team for 4 years at Nationals and played for the Dalhousie University Women's Basketball Team for 4 years.


At Dalhousie, she received a Bachelor of Science with a major in Neuroscience, minor in Health Studies, and a Certificate in Neurotechnology and Innovation.  Coach Meghan is currently at Memorial, taking courses while waiting to pursue a master's degree, with a long-term goal of pursuing Medicine. #studentathlete


Coach Meghan been coaching youth basketball throughout my basketball career, for multiple school teams, club teams, and helped out with different provincial teams both in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.  This is Coach Meghan's first year with NLBT and we are excited to have Meghan work with our U16 Girls Program. 


 Coach Meghan enjoy being active, spending time with friends and family, and can usually be found with a cup of coffee in hand.

Sophie Bartlett

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Sophie has already been coaching for several years with multiple years as an associate coach with our provincial programs. #drive


Coach Sophie was named Female Minor Coach of the Year in 2015 and holds the 2019 honour as well.  She was also invited to coach at a Canada Basketball National ID camp. #nextlevel  


Coach Sophie is a NCCP Level 2 Train to Train certified coach and is the Head Coach of our U14 Girls Tier 1 Team.  It's great to have such an experienced coach teaching and molding the young female players in our program. #fundamentals


Coach Sophie was the Head Coach of the MDJH Gr. 9 Girls Basketball Team in 2019-20 season who were going for a 3 peat at Provincials but got denied by COVID.   She is currently the assistant coach of the Senior A team at Gonzaga High School.


Coach Sophie has a degree in Psychology and would like to work counselling children in the future.

Russell Noseworthy

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Russell is an energetic young coach finishing his first year of Commerce at Memorial University.  Having played in National tournaments off island he understands the importance of hard work and proper shooting mechanics.


Coach Russell has been coaching in the local minor basketball scene for 5 years and is currently coaching the Grade 6 Boys team at Rennie's River Elementary.  You will see Coach Russell spreading his coaching knowledge with our U12 and U14 Boys Programs.  He takes the "Big Brother" approach to coaching in hopes to mold the young athletes both on and off the court. #rolemodel


Coach Russell recently completed his NCCP Level 1 Learn to Train certification and also has NOCP Level 1, Making Head Way in Sport and Emergency First Aid/CPR. 


In his spare time, Coach Russell can be found kayaking at his cabin, hiking the East Coast Trails or cooking up a scoff.



Nick Rowe-Mahon

COB - Chief of Basketball

Coach Nick is a new addition to the NLBT program, joining in the fall of 2021. He is a
devoted team member and is dedicated to encouraging young players to reach their
full basketball potential. He is just finishing his first year of Memorial University in the
Business Administration faculty.


Coach Nick has played club and school basketball from an early age and has gained
valuable experience traveling, training and participating in out of province tournaments and free throw competitions. His interest in coaching began in 2017 as a junior coach with the Steve Nash basketball program.


Coach Nick is currently coaching with the U12 and U14 boys programs and is First Aid/CPR certified.



John Monk

COB - Chief of Basketball

John Monk has been playing or coaching the game of basketball for approximately 30 years. John played high school basketball and trained with the provincial programs in the early 90’s. 

 

A certified NCCP Level 2 Train to Train trained coach.  He is currently coaching with our U14 Boys Program.  In the past he has coached at Bishops College, Holy Trinity Elementary and most recently at Waterford Valley High.


Coach Monk has most recently been an associate coach for Team NL U17 (2019) & U16 Boys (2018) in National competition.


The father of 2 young children, he enjoys teaching the game to the next generation of basketball players in this province. #giveback


In his free time Coach John enjoys spending time with his family.

Jason Thompson Jr.

Coach Jason Thompson Jr is currently in his fifth year starting at point guard for the MUN Seahawks, coming off four consecutive years at the Canadian National Championships representing Newfoundland. 


Coach Jason also played in the United States in four separate occasions and has several All-Star and MVPs. His All Star award at Eastern Canadians as an under ager, and MVP at a North Pole Hoops showcase top the long list. 


Coach Jason is the lead instructor with our U16 Boys Programs.  Coach Jason grew up in St. John’s playing in club programs just like NLBT and hopes to bring his experience and passion to the kids that once was him! 



COB - Chief of Basketball

Hannah Jardine

COB - Chief of Basketball

Hannah Jardine has playing experience at both the National and International Levels as being part of the Junior Women's Canadian Team.  Hannah also received a scholarship for the NCAA Division One University of Delaware women's basketball team.  While excelling on the court, Hannah also excelled in the classroom and received a degree in engineering. #studentathlete#timemanagement


Hannah is excited to be back home and eager to get in the gym and assist young aspiring players to reach their Next Level.  Hannah will be helping out with our NLBT Programs whenever possible, as she is now pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor and is a first year Medical student.#whatsupdoc#dreambig#hardwork#goals


Hannah's most recent accomplishment was being named an Apprentice Coach through Canada Basketball where she will be a valued member of Team NL 2022 Women's Canada Games Program.  Hannah is also a NCCP Level 3 trained coach and is working towards being certified.


W hen Hannah is not at work or in the gym coaching she can be found on the court in Division 1 ladies league or hanging out with her family.

Amanda Miles

COB - Chief of Basketball

A NCCP Level 3 trained coach with over 10 years experiences coaching High School Prep team and with Ontario Basketball, we are excited for our kids to get in the gym with Coach Amanda. 


Coach Amanda has recently been named the Assistant Technical Director with NLBA. Coach Amanda is heavily involved in the NLBA Elite Academy and is also an assistant coach for Team NL 2022 Canada Games Women's Basketball Team. 


Her passion and professional knowledge of video analytics will no doubt help our athletes take the goals and dreams to the next level.


Amanda is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Sports Psychology at Memorial University.  When Coach Amanda is not in the gym or library she can be found in Bonavista or Calgary visiting family.