Not only were there 50-plus young volleyball players of all ages playing games and going through drills, the sheer amount of laughing and cheering at every stage showed how everyone in the building was enjoying being a part of it all.
That’s exactly what Thunder Creek Volleyball Club (TCVC) coach Lorne Polupski was hoping to see from the two-day High School and Kids camps that ran concurrently this past Monday and Tuesday.
And it wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill two-day event, either — Canada Winter Games women’s volleyball coach Tracy Hazen was one of the head instructors and was joined by University of Saskatchewan Huskies hitter Paige Beausoleil, Sarah Hazen from the ACAC Lethbridge Kodiaks along with Jordi Hazen and Olivia Jacobsen from the ACAC Medicine Hat Rattlers.
“These girls are first-year and second-year university and are amazing athletes, amazing volleyball players and they have a wealth of information and stories for these girls,” Polupski said, having to raise his voice slightly to overcome the constant cacophony of cheers coming from the gym. “This is what dreams are made of, these girls wanting to be one of those girls when they grow up, play volleyball past high school and go on to university and college. It’s amazing.”
The youngsters were more than aware of the stature of their instructors, too, something that could be seen in any time they took a moment to pass on some advice.
“Seeing them tell stories and seeing the girls watching so intensely and smiling, you can see dreams being formed and that’s what we want,” Polupski said before pointing to former Vanier standout Beausoleil as an example of what can happen.
“A few years ago it was her first camp here at Thunder Creek and now she’s going to be one of the stars on the Huskies this year. This is where it starts and now we’re trying to get more and more girls to that level and it’s great to see that happening.”
Hazen herself could be seen having a blast throughout the day, in no small part to the infectious atmosphere in the gym.
“Unbelievable,” she said. “Lorne has done such an incredible job with the Thunder Creek Volleyball Club and the kids who come through his school. He believes in these girls he’s working with, too, he helps lead them to where they can be seen and gives them an opportunity to fly. That’s why Paige and the girls who are on the provincial team this year (U17 SaskFirst members Makenna Simmons and Malea Kletzel and U19 member Summer Okerstrom), there’s going to be more and more to come.”
“And you can see the passion and energy and the joy on the young ones faces, showing up early and staying through lunch… that’s what it’s all about, it’s why we love the sport.”
Hazen felt much the same way as Polupski when it came to seeing the young campers reacting to their instructors.
“It’s always good to have players with that kind of experience at things like this,” Hazen said. “They’ve all had mentors and players and coaches they’ve looked up to, and now they’re getting a chance to do the same for these kids. They’re happy to give back, and it’s a great way to spend a couple of days.”
Of course, the elephant in the room has to be addressed. The camp was the first of it’s kind — fully wide-open gym, no masks, unlimited participation — to be held by TCVC since the pandemic restrictions were released in early July.
“Oh, I love it… just having kids in the gym and back in an environment they love and enjoy is great,” Polpuski said. “You can’t beat these smiles, they’re out there having so much fun and it’s so, so great to see.”
