Just over a year ago, S.C. Spirit of Excellence started a series of boys volleyball programs on the Sunshine Coast. Coach Mark Sauer has been working with this group of 10 talented athletes to improve their skill set and game play.
Three weeks ago the boys attended their first tournament — the TWU Spartans Invitational Tournament hosted by Ben Josephson, head coach for Trinity Western University men’s team.
The Langley Events Centre was packed with boys playing in U13, U14 and U15 divisions. The 10 Coast boys managed to come in first in the consolation round after having to stand their ground against an older U15 team from Victoria that was accidentally misplaced in their pool.
Currently, the boys are preparing for their second tournament on May 23 at Saints, the well-known St. George’s School in Vancouver where Sauer has been coaching senior boys volleyball for many years.
The boys were thrilled when a very special guest coach joined their practice on Tuesday, April 28 — Roberts Creek’s Stuart Richey, who recently finished his career with the Thompson Rivers Wolf Pack men’s team.
Richey ran passing drills and shared some impressive hitting pointers. A rally between Richey and Sauer versus the boys was watched by Stuart’s sister and mom — Team Canada player Kyla and ex-national player Jan Richey. The pressure was high!
This year’s summer camps with Spirit of Excellence will include more volleyball and beach volleyball with returning junior Olympians at new courts planned for Shirley Macey Park, basketball boot camp and more! Stay tuned.
