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Written by JIM SWANSON, Citizen Sports Editor
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Wednesday, 19 November 2008 |
How many opportunities like this come around, with a guaranteed shot at nationals?
That’s the case for the Prince George Thunder girls volleyball team, a 16-and-under squad which will hit the floor next week for opening tryouts.
The Thunder, an independent club program, is setting up entry into a super series tournament in Kelowna, provincials in Abbotsford, and the Canadian Open in Calgary.
All a player has to do is this -- try out, make the team, and commit to the program.
“It’s open for all girls born in 1993 and 1994, and we will be doing a lot of fund-raising this year to help with the trips,” said head coach Marcie O’Beirne.
“Nationals is such a great experience, but it did cost about $6,000 last year to attend and we want to do everything we can to make it affordable for the girls and their parents.”
This is the second year for the program, and O’Beirne is helped on the coaching side by Ileana Egli and Tim Dunphy.
The first tryout is Friday, Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. at Southridge elementary, with a fee of $10 due for each player. After three subsequent sessions, the team will be selected, and O’Beirne plans to carry 12 players -- an even two shifts of six each, to spread the playing time as even as possible.
“Teams can register 15 players, but we’re strong believers in going with two lines,” said O’Beirne.
“We’re a little bit out of the norm when it comes to running things like that, but with our team we believe everyone should get a chance to start on a set -- and that can be depending on how they’re playing. We focus on the development, and these players are just at an age now where they are starting to fine-tune their technique, and that’s moreso than they would when they were younger. A key to that is playing time and experience.
“There are a lot of quality volleyball players in that age group right now.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 November 2008 )
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