Our Story
Dynamite Basketball
Looking to take your basketball game to the next level and reach your full potential? Look no further than Dynamite Basketball, the top-notch academy founded by two passionate and experienced coaches, Louis and Brodan. With years of experience coaching at all levels, from high school to college, Dynamite’s coaching staff are experts in the field and have produced many successful athletes who have gone on to play college basketball and become productive citizens. By enrolling in Dynamite Basketball, you’ll receive exceptional coaching and mentorship that will not only improve your basketball skills, but also provide valuable life skills and a strong sense of community. Don’t settle for anything less than the best – enroll with Dynamite Basketball and soar to new heights on the court with the help of our experienced coaches.
-
Brodan Thiel
Coach Brodan Thiel is a distinguished leader in the basketball community, renowned for his mentorship, coaching and as a guiding light for new coaches seeking to give back through the sport. Since it’s inception, he has been the driving force behind Dynamite Basketball, a company that has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of kids in Vancouver.
Growing up, Coach Thiel’s passion for basketball was evident from an early age, and despite being a mediocre high school player, he demonstrated exceptional determination and discipline in becoming a college athlete and graduate. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts and Science at Quest University, followed by a Bachelor of Education and Teaching Certification at Simon Fraser University, with a focus on the impact of role modeling in education and through sport. Coach Thiel later obtained a Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri, specializing in Positive Coaching.
As a coach, he has transitioned seamlessly to mentoring and guiding young players, including coaching provincial teams within Basketball BC, serving as U17 Assistant Coach and U14 Head Coach twice. He has also been a coach at the university level and a varsity coach at the high school level. Before founding Dynamite Basketball, Coach Thiel was a Coach and Basketball Coordinator at St. George’s School in Vancouver, where the program thrived under his tutelage.
He is dedicated to seeing teens grow through the game of basketball and is committed to providing an environment that fosters growth, positivity, and a love for the sport. With his wealth of experience, exceptional coaching skills, and passion for basketball, Coach Thiel ensures that children receive top-notch mentorship and support at Dynamite Basketball.
-
Louis Johnson
Louis is a basketball legend who has made an indelible impact on the sport as both a player and a coach. His passion for basketball has driven him to create and lead the highly successful Dynamite Basketball program since it’s inception. As one of the best private training coaches in the province, Louis has an incredible ability to break the game down and make players better by focusing on the finer details.
Louis began his journey to greatness at Richmond High School, where he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the court. His outstanding performances earned him the distinction of being named a Provincial All-Star, MVP, and leading his team to the AAA BC Provincial Championship in 1991. He continued to excel at Langara College, becoming a two-time All-Canadian, College Player of the Year, and still holding the record for the PacWest Conference’s career Points Per Game with an average of 24.38, an impressive 5.3 PPG higher than the next highest athlete.
Louis’s college accomplishments include winning the CCAA Canadian College Player of the Year award, earning two CCAA All-Canadian titles, and leading his team to victory in the BCCAA Provincial Championship, where he was also named the tournament’s MVP. He was awarded the PACWest Player of the Year and named to the BCAA 1st Team All-Star. Louis was also recognized for his outstanding athletic achievement at Langara College, where he was named the College Outstanding Male Athlete.
After his successful college career, Louis turned his attention to coaching, where he has been sharing his knowledge and passion for the game with young athletes for over 12 years. He coached at Lord Byng for eight years and at St. George’s for four years, where he has established himself as a respected coach and mentor. Louis has also served as a Basketball BC Assistant Regional U15 coach, representing the West Side.
Louis’s dedication to the game of basketball and his outstanding achievements on and off the court make him an inspiration to athletes and coaches alike. His impressive track record demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and passion, anything is possible. Whether as a player or a coach, Louis’s love for the game has driven him to achieve unparalleled success and to share his knowledge with the next generation of basketball stars.
-
Ethan Fung
Ethan is a skilled basketball coach with a passion for helping young athletes develop their skills and reach their full potential. Standing tall from a young age, basketball was a natural fit for Ethan, and he quickly excelled on the court. Throughout his high school years at Magee, Ethan captained the basketball team and earned numerous awards, including the Vancouver city all-star in both grade 10 and 12 and the Killarney Classic MVP.
After playing for various clubs, including RBL and Athelite, Ethan joined Team BC and was introduced to Coach Brodan. They began training together, and Ethan quickly fell in love with the intense environment and coaching style of the Dynamite Basketball club. He has been coaching at Dynamite for the past 4 years, specializing in private training and skill development.
Despite being offered opportunities to play basketball in college, Ethan has chosen to pursue his academic ambitions and is currently enrolled in UBC’s Nutritional Science Program. However, he remains dedicated to the Vancouver basketball community and plans to continue coaching at Dynamite and staying linked to the high school basketball programs.
Ethan’s goal is to share his experiences and knowledge of the sport with young athletes and help them develop and grow into their full potential. With his passion for basketball and dedication to coaching, Ethan is a valuable asset to the Dynamite Basketball community and beyond.
-
Chris Schneller
Chris is a dedicated basketball coach with over a decade of experience in the Vancouver basketball community. With a passion for the sport that began in high school, Chris played for Sir Charles Tupper where he helped lead the program to back-to-back City and Lower Mainland Championships in his grade 11 and 12 years. In his senior year, he earned the title of City Championships MVP and Lower Mainland MVP, as well as a First Team All-Province selection, after Tupper finished second at B.C. AAA Provincial Tournament. In addition, Chris was chosen as a member of the BC Provincial All-Star game after his final campaign.
Chris’ basketball journey continued after high school, as he was selected to play for the Capilano University Blues Men’s Basketball Team. In his first year, he was recognized as a PacWest Conference All-Rookie Team selection. But Chris’ involvement in basketball didn’t stop there. In 2017, he began his coaching career at Tupper, serving as an assistant coach for the Grade 8 team that finished 5th in Provincials. For the past four years, Chris has been a valued coach at Dynamite Basketball, dedicating himself to helping young players develop their skills and love for the game.
Currently, Chris is the Women’s and Men’s Assistant Coach at Langara College. His commitment to being a positive role model and influencer to the youth who play basketball in Vancouver is evident in all that he does. He hopes to continue giving back to the community that has supported him throughout his basketball journey.
-
Ben Tyfting
Ben’s passion for basketball started at a young age, and it has been an integral part of his life ever since. As a player, he gained valuable experience and developed important qualities such as teamwork, dedication, and hard work, through his involvement with multiple Dynamite Basketball AAU teams and provincial tournaments with his Magee lions. After high school, Ben decided to pursue coaching alongside his studies at SFU, and his passion for the game led him to focus on helping young athletes develop their skills, build their confidence, and learn important life lessons through basketball.
With his experience as a player and coach, and his academic knowledge, Ben is committed to making a positive impact on the community through basketball. He strongly believes that basketball has the power to bring people together, inspire young athletes, and teach valuable life lessons that can be applied both on and off the court. As a coach, Ben is dedicated to using his expertise to help young athletes reach their full potential and achieve their goals. His love for the game and his commitment to helping others have made him a respected and influential figure in the basketball community.
-
Rourke MacDonald
Rourke is a basketball coach and mentor who is dedicated to helping young athletes reach their full potential both on and off the court.
Rourke’s passion for basketball began during his high school years where he led his team to the city finals and provincial rankings in their senior year. During this time, Rourke learned the importance of hard work, dedication, and a mindset for constant growth.
After high school, Rourke continued his basketball journey with Dynamite Basketball’s AAU teams. It was through this experience that Rourke was able to develop his skills further, as well as acquire habits that he would carry with him both on and off the court.
Today, Rourke is proud to be able to give back to the program that instilled these values in him. He is now a coach and mentor at a basketball academy, where he uses his experience to help young athletes improve their game and overcome the challenges that they may face.
Rourke is committed to helping young athletes develop not only their basketball skills but also their character. He believes that the lessons learned on the court can be applied to all aspects of life, and is dedicated to helping his students become not only better basketball players but better people as well.
If you’re looking for a coach who is committed to helping you reach your full potential both on and off the court, then look no further than Rourke. With his experience, dedication, and passion for the game, he is the perfect mentor to guide you on your basketball journey.
Media
-
Michael Pettifer
Michael is a highly respected basketball coach who has made a significant impact on the sport and on the lives of young athletes. With an uncanny ability to get the best out of his players and a keen attention to detail, Michael has developed a reputation as a coach who can help any athlete achieve their full potential. He believes in tailoring his training programs to each player’s unique set of strengths and weaknesses, with an emphasis on proper technique and fundamentals. His focus on team dynamics and strategy helps to build cohesive and winning teams, and his commitment to his players is evident in the many successes he has had coaching at Lord Byng.
A graduate of Lord Byng in 2013, Michael’s passion for coaching and mentoring young athletes in basketball has led him to coach at Lord Byng for 11 seasons since 2013. During his tenure, he has helped take the team to Provincial many times, with highlights including a 4th place finish at grade 9’s in 2014, a 5th place finish in 2016 at 3A senior provincials, and a 6th place finishes in 2017 at 3A senior provincials. Michael has also completed 2 levels of his NCCP certification in "learn to train" and "train to train", and has 3 years of coaching experience at Dynamite. Michael’s dedication to the sport of basketball, combined with his commitment to helping young athletes reach their full potential, has made him a highly respected coach and a role model for many aspiring athletes.
-
Marko Pruzlj
Marko’s basketball journey kicked off at Kitsilano High School, where he dedicated five years to perfecting his game on the court. Marko led his team to impressive victories, including provincial championships in grades 8 and 9, and commendable 4th and 5th place finishes in grades 11 and 12 respectively. His experience competing in college basketball at CBC PACWEST from 2019 to 2020 further deepened his understanding of the sport, laying a solid foundation for his future coaching endeavors.
Transitioning into coaching, Marko redirected his passion for basketball into a new avenue. Since 2018, Marko has been an integral part of the Kitsilano basketball program, offering invaluable expertise and mentorship to players at all levels. At the core of his coaching philosophy is the emphasis on instilling a deep love for the game and prioritizing the refinement of fundamental skills, ensuring that his players excel in basketball and evolve into well-rounded individuals both on and off the court. Marko has continued his coaching journey with Dynamite since 2023, further enhancing his experiences and influence within the basketball community.
-
Edwin Berceles
Edwin’s basketball journey began at the Strathcona Basketball Club, where he dedicated several years to honing his skills and nurturing his passion for the game. This early exposure fueled a love for basketball that would shape his journey both on and off the court. At Notre Dame, Edwin assumed the pivotal role of starting Point Guard for their basketball team.
Upon joining Dynamite, Edwin’s talent and commitment illuminated the U17 and U18 leagues. His unwavering dedication and skill propelled him through an impressive journey in club basketball, establishing him as a standout player.
Beyond his on-court triumphs, Edwin excelled academically, earning honors as a high school student. Currently pursuing a degree in nutrition at UBC, Edwin’s academic pursuits complement his athletic aspirations.
As a fervent coach, Edwin brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the game. His transition from player to mentor reflects his unwavering commitment to the positive development of aspiring athletes. With his expertise, passion, and steadfast dedication, Edwin is poised to make a significant impact on the growth and success of our athletes. Since 2022, Edwin has been coaching with Dynamite, further enhancing his experiences and contributions to the basketball community.
