HALIFAX, N.S. – Acadia Axewomen volleyball head coach Michelle Wood received the 2018 Trendsetter Leadership Award at today's WomenActive Nova Scotia Trendsetters third annual Awards Luncheon in Halifax.

WomenActive Trendsetters change culture, attitudes, programs, and systems to enrich the lives of all women and girls as participants and leaders in sport, recreation, and physical activity in Nova Scotia.

Along with coaching the Axewomen team, Wood has been the Head Coach of Ontario's Canada Games team, and recently the assistant coach with Team Canada at two World University Games including this past summer where she was an Assistant Coach with the FISU Women's Volleyball Team Canada in Taipei, China. Wood first began her stint with the National Team programs in 2015 where she assisted Canada in achieving a sixth place finish at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.

Besides her technical background, the respect Wood garners from athletes and associates has helped transcend women's volleyball at Acadia from a team, to an all-encompassing program. Her ability to develop her student-athletes into well-rounded women is truly special.

Michelle has had as an amazing impact on volleyball in Nova Scotia and the young girls who play sport in Annapolis Valley community through her leadership with the Axe Volleyball Club. Since arriving in Nova Scotia six years ago, Wood has created development and mentorship opportunities for both athletes and coaches as the Founder and Director of the Axe Volleyball Club program and as a mentor coach with Volleyball Nova Scotia. In 2016, Wood was named Volleyball Nova Scotia's Volunteer of the Year.

She was recently recognized by Atlantic University Sport as the women's volleyball Coach of the Year following the Axewomen's 14-6 regular season.

"I'm very proud of my coach, colleague and friend, Michelle Wood for this significant recognition of her efforts over the past six years in Nova Scotia. It's one thing to discuss role modeling and inspiring girls and young women to chase their goals and aspirations, but it's another to put those words into actions. Michelle has done that in an exemplary way and is such and incredible leader for Women in Sport," said Kevin Dickie, Executive Director of Acadia University's Department of Athletics and Community Events.

"She has a long, bright future ahead of her, hopefully at Acadia. Regardless the timelines ahead, her community, region and I know you'll see, our country will benefit from Michelle‎ passion, skills and leadership," added Dickie.

Wood will be presenting at the Ontario Volleyball Association – Women and Girls in Leadership and Sport Conference, May 11-12 and will be joining other notable presenters including Therese Quigley, Alicia Brown (Olympian – Track and Field), Alisha and Tamara Tatham (Olympians - Basketball Canada).