October 24, 2025

The Toronto Metropolitan University athletics department takes pride in its diversity, with 180 student-athletes coming from around the world to represent TMU on eight varsity teams, including the men’s volleyball team. 

The TMU Bold men’s volleyball team is well acquainted with both national and international talent. Their head coach, Niko Rukavina, has played for teams in Sweden and Germany, and has acquired talent from all over Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. 

“[Signing international talent] is about finding people who fit our culture and fit our dynamic,” Rukavina said. “It’s tougher when you don’t see them in person or they can’t come for recruit visits.”

During the 2025-26 recruiting cycle, the men’s volleyball team gained another international star with the commitment of middle blocker Aidan Suttie. Originally from Manly, Australia, Suttie has always liked exploring new places, choosing Toronto as his next step last December.

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“Making the decision to switch countries, it was a big change, but it was something that I sort of wanted to do as well,” Suttie recalled. “It wasn’t this big nerve-wreck for me, but that’s just sort of me individually.”

Eight months later, Suttie traded the mild winter in Australia for the warm summer in Toronto. When he arrived, fourth-year teammate and fellow Australian Riley Donovan helped him get familiar with the city and TMU’s facilities. 

“It’s a tough transition,” Donovan, who is very familiar with the journey, noted. “All I can do is be there for him and keep that open line of communication so if he has issues and needs someone to relate to, I can be there for [him].”

As a first-year student, Suttie is still adjusting to living on his own for the first time. Being so far away from his family, the challenge is amplified. As Suttie tries to maintain the expectations surrounding training and stay on top of his schoolwork, he’s reminded of why he came to Toronto in the first place: volleyball. 

“The competitions are higher, the people we play with are a lot better,” Suttie smiled. “Coach Niko and Coach Mark, they’re a really big factor in making me feel comfortable to make that decision to come over here.”

Before committing to TMU, Suttie had a stint with Nordenskov Volleyball Club in Denmark. He is also a member of the Australian National Development Program, where he won U19 and U23 Australian Junior National Indoor Championships. Suttie and Donovan are both members of Athena Sports Agency, which helped them secure a recruitment offer from Coach Rukavina.

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“Having [Suttie and Donovan] together, and having that Australian connection has been really cool,” Coach Rukavina said.

The Australian connection has certainly helped Suttie feel more at home, as Donovan checks in on him and offers advice periodically. “[Donovan] has made a huge difference,” Suttie grinned. “It’s good to hear a familiar voice around, a familiar accent even.”