The 14 Wing Greenwood Fitness and Sports Centre saw the return of the base’s own men’s volleyball team February 19 to 21, hosting the Atlantic region championship.
The Bombers entered their first men’s team since 2020, joined on the court by the 12 Wing Shearwater Flyers, the CFB Halifax Mariners and the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown Warriors.
“We 100 per cent learned a lot,” says Aviator Dave Lubin, who lead the effort to rejuvenate the team and acted as team coach through the winter building process.
“With the notice we had for the tournament, I’m pretty happy with how we proactively played and came together as a unit at regionals. We improved a lot, from even the start to the end of regionals: what to do, where to be, positions. I thought we were close to Gagetown, and Halifax winning – the best team did win the tournament.”
Canadian Armed Forces men’s volleyball nationals will be held April 26 to 29 in Borden. Halifax has picked up Lubin for its roster.
“I’m excited to go to nationals – a good friend of mine from Halifax is on the team, and I haven’t played with him in a while.”
“Thank you very much for taking part in this tournament,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Shawn McGeown, congratulating everyone at the regional final awards presentation. “Sports is a great opportunity to come together as a team, but remember to encourage other people into your sports as well. This week it’s folks you play with on a regular basis, but get people out with you all year.”
Halifax won the title in a best-of-five match (25-24, 21-25, 28-26, 25-13) against Gagetown. Lieutenant-Commander Blake McClelland from CFB Halifax was named tournament MVP.
Through the round robin, Gagetown beat Greenwood in game one (21-25, 25-18, 15-9), Halifax beat Shearwater in game two (25-13, 25-9), Halifax beat Gagetown in game three (25-21, 25-23), Greenwood beat Shearwater in game four (25-12, 25-16), Halifax beat Greenwood in game five (25-17, 25-12) and Gagetown beat Shearwater in game six (25-18, 25-13).
Halifax, first through the round robin, won the first best-of-five semi-final over Shearwater, fourth through the round robin (25-15, 25-16, 25-14). In the evening’s second semi, Gagetown defeated Greenwood (25-12, 25-18, 25-16) to earn the second spot in the final.
