The Redcoat Rebels volleyball team hosted 45 players from 21 Saskatchewan communities at their 2015 Summer Skills Development Camp, held Aug. 21 and 22 at Carlyle's Gordon F. Kells High School.
“We've got two groups aged 16 and 18 and what gets me is how far some of them have come.” says Rebels coach Mickey Adams.
Players from Arcola, Carlyle, Carnduff, Cowessess First Nation, Esterhazy, Fort Qu'Appelle, Kennedy, Montmarte, Moosomin, Ochapawace First Nation, Regina, Regina Beach, Rhein, Rocanville, Rosetown, Saskatoon, Spy Hill, Wawota, White Bear First Nations, Whitewood and Yorkton attended the two-day event, in an effort to hone their volleyball skills.
“This isn't a tryout,” says Adams. “But as for playing for the Rebels, we'll take them from anywhere. It's just that some of these kids live too far away to regularly make it to practices and games. But we're happy they've joined us here today to develop their skills and to learn more about the game.”
Helping Adams with the camp, which focused on various technical skills including passing, digging, hitting, blocking, and more, were Shelby Adams, Morgan Wasylyk, and Blake Slykhuis - all seasoned veterans of the sport and extremely knowledgeable.
Sixteen-year-old Carlie Standingready from White Bear First Nations says that even if a player can't play for one of Adams' teams, “I'd recommend his camps to anyone, even if you aren't able to play on his team.”
“He'll tell you what you did wrong, what you did right, and you'll walk away with proof that you've improved as a player, because what he says is right.”
“He's one of the reasons I started with volleyball,” adds Standingready. “He's really a tough trainer. He knows his stuff, he knows what's right and wrong and he's serious about the sport.”
“He's tough on you, but he builds up your endurance. He'll train you mentally and physically.”
“It's not about me,” insists Adams. “It's all about the kids.”
For more information on the Redcoat Rebels, contact Mickey Adams at [email protected]
