BY SCOTT
HADDOW
More is always better.
Last year, the try out camp for the Northeastern Ontario
Regional boys' volleyball team resembled a ghost town.
Only 12 players showed up, just enough to make up one full
squad.
This year, things were different.
A total of 46 youngsters turned out for the camp, giving the
coaching staff endless possibilities and a brighter outlook.
The team will challenge the best in the province at the
upcoming Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa from Aug. 9 to 13.
"Last year, we had 12 kids and no cuts," said returning head
coach Richard Faucher. "This year was a much different story.
We had 46 kids come out, which gave us a big group to choose
from. I was able to nit-pick who I wanted and build the best
team possible. With a lot more options, the team is looking a
lot stronger and fitter."
The Northeastern Ontario team has one main thing going for
it - size.
"We are a big group," said Faucher. "Our average height is
five-foot-10...our strength will be blocking. We're going to be
a strong defensive team."
The boys' squad has had just a few weeks to prepare. Faucher
has made sure not to overwhelm his young charges.
"I haven't tried to overload them," said the coach. "We have
weekend training sessions, so it doesn't give us a lot of time
to prepare. I introduce new skills, we work on them, and once
it becomes automatic for them, we move onto another skill. I
don't give them too much because we don't want them peaking at
the games."
Faucher hopes the boys remain committed.
"Discipline is going to be the big key for us," said the
coach. "We train on weekends, but if the kids are training
during the week on their own - eating right and physical
exercise - it will play a big role in success. We have a
phenomenal team. We have a really good shot at earning a medal.
It will come down to if these kids want it bad enough."
Sean McKay, 15, is looking forward to attending his first
Ontario Summer Games.
"It feels good to be on this team," said the Lockerby
student. "We're expecting some tough competition. We want to
medal at least. We would be satisfied with that. It will take a
lot of hard work and hustle. It's been hard putting this all
together, but it's been a great experience."
Jonathan Lessard, 15, is also feeling the rush of anticipation.
"I feel honoured to be part of this," said the College Notre-Dame student. "It's a big deal. We have all been working hard and it should turn out good for us. We are all learning new things. It's been a big help to me and will help me when I go back to high school volleyball."
