Volleyball camp aims to build 14 Wing’s program into 26’/ ’27
“We’re going to set, and now over the net – the goal is to just float it over…,” guided Corporal Leo Gautier, coaching through a Day 2 exercise of a five-day women’s volleyball camp for 14 Wing Greenwood military athletes in October.
And then he pushed the ball into the net, to the group’s laughter.
“That’s why I coach and don’t play!”
Over a dozen participants spent the week’s afternoons on the courts, building skills in formations, setting, spiking and serving; passing, strategy and fitness foundations. Game scenarios and three-on-three action put it all into practice.
“The goal is to get more women into the military volleyball program,” Gautier said. He coaches the women’s base team, and already plans to build lessons learned from this intensive camp into next year’s program.
“We have two athletes new to the sport in this week, and four new names to me; and we had several not approved to participate in the camp, but interested in the volleyball program.”
The nature of military sports is pressure from operational demands, deployments and postings: rosters and athlete availability change year-to-year. Athletes who have been away from a sport for a few years, or new to a base, may not easily know how to get back into the game.
“This is my third year with the 14 Wing team,” said Corporal Kaitlyn Arsenault. “I’d played in high school a bit, but I was new to the sport coming back in the military.
“This is a big show out – three of us were here last year, but nine here are new to us – that’s good to see. It’s the nature of the military, that people are in and out.”
The women’s volleyball base team practices are underway, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The point of contact is leo.gautier@forces.gc.ca. The men’s base team practices at the same times, with jonathan.vezina@forces.gc.ca as the point of contact. Military members interested in playing volleyball with the base sports program are welcome to contact leads, and join practices at the Fitness and Sports Centre. Rosters will be chosen later in the winter for the 2027 Canadian Armed Forces Atlantic region championship.
