'Breaking down barriers': S'porean woman coaches men's volleyball in Sweden

After graduating from the University of Western Australia (UWA) in 2018, Desiree Tan worked in information technology, leisure and recreation, and marketing, but she felt a lack of purpose and satisfaction.

That void was filled by volleyball a year later, when the former player joined Volleyball Western Australia as an assistant coach for its Under-19 women's team.

The 28-year-old told The Straits Times: "That was when I was finally doing something relevant to what I enjoyed. I found what I actually really wanted to do, which I didn't really know at the start."

Since then, Tan has evolved into a championship-winning coach who is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone to achieve her dream of helming an Olympic team.

In a decade Down Under, she rose to become a programme coach in Australia's national men's team and assistant coach of Western Australia's men's team. She led the UWA men's team in the state's Volleyball League, winning the Division 2 title three times and the state league reserves championship twice.

Through a friend's contact, she took up an offer to coach the Lindesberg Volleyball Club women's team in Sweden in November 2022, leading them to third place in the Division 1 Norra competition and promotion to the top-tier Elitserien.

In July 2024, she moved to Sollentuna to become the first female coach to helm their men's team, guiding them to sixth in the Elitserien and winning the national U-23 men's title.

Tan said: "I obviously want to do well and win medals. The dream would be to progress to a bigger league in Europe, like in Poland, Italy, France or Germany, as I get older and move through my career.

"I'm aiming for a national programme as well, and the ultimate dream is being at the Olympics."

Her unlikely route to becoming a full-time coach in a foreign land also had an unconventional origin.

Her father was a Singapore Airlines station manager who regularly shifted bases, and the family lived in eight countries.

It was in the United States where she played and fell in love with volleyball, and each time she moved, it was her anchor "because I always had the sport there to make me feel at home".

She continued playing as a setter in India at an American school, and also in Australia, but stopped after she moved to Sweden.

At 16, Tan first dabbled in coaching in high school in Australia and progressed to coaching at the UWA Volleyball Club.

Tan said: "Helping athletes to become better versions of themselves on and off the court, and being that person that supported them on their journey is an experience like no other.

"The sheer adrenaline of seeing a team perform and succeed as a result of this, is why I keep doing what I'm doing."

The youngest and only female coach in the Elitserien, Tan felt that her direct personality suits coaching a men's team more.

She said: "There is always the expectation at the start that men can coach whoever they want, but women are expected to coach women. I get hit with unconscious biases, and it's a little bit tougher to get opportunities.

"I will always try to break down barriers through my results and accomplishments, and my ultimate goal is for women to feel empowered to challenge the norm of male-dominated industries.

"I don't see myself as one of few female coaches in elite sport, but as a trailblazer to encourage others to do the same."

Sollentuna captain Peter Blomgren appreciates Tan's consultative approach.

He said: "Previous coaches were quite head-on, but it's nicer now as we get to be involved in certain decisions. Working with Desiree is great as she is hardworking and always wants to learn and improve. The biggest part of what makes her a good coach is how engaged she is, as she really wants us to succeed."

Even though Tan, who was two months old when her family moved to Germany, has lived in Singapore for only four years while attending primary and secondary school, her country of birth remains dear to her heart.

She visits her extended family occasionally, follows the national volleyball teams' results, and learnt how to cook nasi lemak. Her father now resides in Abu Dhabi, while her mother and sister live in Perth.

She does not rule out getting involved in Singapore volleyball if the opportunity arises.

She said: "I'm happy Singapore has teams competing in international competitions. There are also beach courts popping up across the island and the sport is growing in Singapore regardless of the level.

"Even though I've not lived in Singapore for the majority of my life, and I don't have the accent, I've always felt quite patriotic and proud to be a Singaporean."