Empowering Coaches: The West Ottawa Basketball Coach Development Program
At West Ottawa Basketball, we understand the important role that coaches play in the success of our players. That's why we are dedicated to supporting our coaches every step of the way. Through mentorship, training sessions, and ongoing feedback, we empower our coaches to become the best they can be. By investing in our coaches, we are investing in the future of our athletes and the overall success of our basketball programs.
Whether you're a seasoned coach looking to refine your skills or a newcomer eager to learn, West Ottawa Basketball is here to support you on your coaching journey. Join us and discover the difference that our Coach Development Mentors can make in helping you reach your full potential as a basketball coach.
For more information on how to connect with one of our Coach Mentors, contact Mark Emond, our VP of the Coach and Player Development.
our coach development team
DAN CASE - WEST OTTAWA BASKETBALL CLUB PRESIDENT
Dan Case is the President of West Ottawa Basketball Association and has been a coach and executive member with the club (as Vice President of the Competitive Program and Club President) since 2013. He also serves as Vice-Chair on the Eastern Ontario Basketball Committee.
Dan brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, having coached his two daughters from age 7 to 18 at West Ottawa Basketball. His greatest memory of coaching his girls is winning the gold medal at the Ontario Cup Championships. This was most memorable for Dan because his daughters won while playing on the same team in their final year in 2024. Dan has also had the privilege of coaching at the Ontario Summer Games and has served as Head Coach on numerous occasions for the Ontario Summer Development Program.
Dan is a long-time educator and Coach at the high school level as well. He has coached a variety of sports at the high school level including basketball, football, touch football, baseball and track and field. Some of Dan's fondest memories as a high school Coach involve his experiences at several OFSAA championship tournaments over the years and coaching with his good friend Pat Kirkham.
Dan's commitment to youth sports comes from his core belief that the best lessons in life are learned through sport. He rarely missed an opportunity to show his players what they were learning while playing the game that they loved. His players knew that he only had two rules when he coached: play hard and have fun. By following these two rules, values and character traits such as respect, perseverance, sportsmanship, and competitiveness (among so many more) become second nature. Dan has recently expanded his rule book as he now serves as a certified basketball official who you just might see reffing a game on a court near you!
MARK EMOND - WEST OTTAWA BASKETBALL V.P. COMPETITIVE PROGRAM / DIRECTOR OF COACH/PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Mark Emond is the Head Coach of the West Ottawa Hornets U19 Women’s Team, one of the premier competitive club programs in the province. With a passion for player growth and a transformational coaching philosophy, Mark is committed to helping athletes reach their highest potential—on and off the court.
In addition to his head coaching role, Mark serves as VP of Competitive Program and Director of Coach and Player Development with West Ottawa Basketball, where he plays a key leadership role in shaping the club’s competitive strategy and development pathways. His impact extends to the provincial stage as well, having led the Capital Region Girls Team at the last two Ontario Summer Games, guiding top regional talent in one of Ontario’s most competitive environments.
Mark is currently completing his NCCP Train to Compete Level 3 certification, which qualifies coaches to lead at both the university and provincial levels. Known for his emphasis on character, standards, and vision, he embodies the principles of transformational coaching—developing not just skilled athletes, but strong leaders and teammates.
TARCISSE RUHAMYANDEKWE - WEST OTTAWA BASKETBALL COACH (2017-2023)
With over a decade of coaching experience across multiple competitive levels, Tarcisse has established a proven record of developing athletes and leading teams to success within the Ontario basketball community. Currently serving as an Assistant Coach with the College La Cité men’s basketball program in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), Tarcisse plays a key role in shaping the team’s competitive culture. His responsibilities include assisting with strategic game planning, implementing training programs and supporting player development through personalized feedback and mentorship. Known for his calm leadership and strong communication, he thrives in high-pressure environments and brings a professional, growth-focused approach to every practice and game. Prior to joining College La Cité, Tarcisse spent several seasons as a Head Coach with the West Ottawa Basketball Association, guiding the U19 Boys program to outstanding success — including a #1 ranking and Pool A Championship in the Ontario Basketball League (OBL-X), as well as multiple tournament titles in the Chris Paulin Tournament and the Classique des Nomades. His coaching journey also includes successful tenures with the Goulbourn Basketball Association (now West Ottawa Basketball) and Ottawa Next Level, where he led teams to provincial and international achievements — highlighted by an Ontario Cup Division 1 Bronze Medal, OBL Pool A Championship, and a Top-8 finish at the Aquarius X-MAS Tournament in Belgium. Throughout his coaching career, Tarcisse has emphasized athlete development, teamwork, and accountability, while fostering a culture that balances competitiveness with respect and enjoyment of the game. His approach centers on building complete athletes — technically skilled, mentally resilient, and prepared to succeed both on and off the court. Tarcisse is a Level 3 (Train to Compete) Trained Coach through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), and holds additional certifications through the Ontario Basketball Association, Canada Basketball and the Coaches Association of Ontario
BILL ARDEN - HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY COACH
With over four decades of continuous coaching experience, Bill Arden has been a cornerstone of the Ottawa basketball community — developing players, building programs and contributing to the sport at every level from grassroots to university competition. A former standout player at Ridgemont High School (1982–1987) and the University of Ottawa (1987–1989), Bill transitioned seamlessly into coaching, marking the beginning of what has become an extraordinary 43-year coaching career. Over that time, he has coached high school basketball every single year, capturing nine city championships across multiple levels, and earning a reputation for his ability to develop young athletes both on and off the court. At the post-secondary level, Bill spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the University of Ottawa men’s basketball team, followed by eight years on staff with the Carleton University men’s basketball program, where he contributed to five National Championships during one of the most dominant eras in Canadian university basketball. Beyond the school and university systems, Bill has been instrumental in shaping elite basketball pathways in Ottawa. As Head Coach of both the Ottawa Guardsmen and Ottawa Elite programs, he contributed to organizations that have helped hundreds of players improve their skills, gain exposure and advance to higher levels of competition. Driven by a lifelong passion for the game, Bill is recognized not only for his basketball acumen but for his dedication to mentorship, discipline and the belief that the lessons learned through sport can last a lifetime. His coaching philosophy centers on effort, teamwork, and a deep respect for the game — values that have defined his career and inspired generations of players.
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