The Comox Valley Volleyball Camp is returning this summer. Local volleyball coach Brian Stevens along with camp director Brian McAskill are back to provide local athletes a great chance to develop their skills and learn more about the game.
The camp is heading into its fifth year and will take place July 11-14 at the G.P. Vanier Secondary gymnasium. “The camp has two main objectives, to improve each player’s technical skills and to teach them how to be more successful in game situations,” stated McAskill. “A by-product of the camp is the social interaction between athletes from different schools and different ages.”
McAskill is currently the head coach of the G.P. Vanier senior boys and former head coach of the Comox Valley Volleyball Club 18U Strikers as well as an assistant with the Vancouver Island University Mariners. He spent seven summers as head coach of the Team BC provincial team including a national championship, a national silver medal and a trip to the 2005 Canada Games in Regina.
“I don’t normally get the opportunity to work with younger athletes…it’s a lot of fun to get back to basics and it also helps you develop as a coach,” said McAskill.
Joining the coaching staff this summer will be Nanaimo’s Olivia Mark, a nationally certified beach coach with provincial team experience as well as a former player and assistant coach with Vancouver Island University. “Olivia brings welcome female perspective to our staff in conjunction with her positive attitude and wealth of knowledge of the game, both indoors and outdoors. We are extremely pleased we were able to add her to our staff this season,” said McAskill.
Olivia will be joined by local coach Stevens. Stevens is currently the head coach of the G.P. Vanier junior boys and has previous experience with 18U club and Team BC Provincial team including a national silver medal and an assistant position with the 2005 Canada Games team.
“Brian is a national level setter who brings a high level of enthusiasm and a love of volleyball,” stated McAskill. Stevens is a Level Two certified coach with provincial team experience both as a player and a coach. Stevens also competed for the University of Victoria and UBC at the CIS level.
Building on the success of last summer, McAskill would like to continue to develop technical skills and game play knowledge while adding some position-specific components as well. “Stevens is probably one of the best instructors a setter can have in this province while Olivia has a wealth of beach volleyball knowldege,” pointed out McAskill.
The camp will run from July 11-14 at Vanier. There are two different sessions being offered to cater to different age groups. The Youth Session will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and is for athletes 12-14 years old. The Elite Session will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and is for athletes 15-17 years old.
The camp is $120 which includes a T-shirt. There are 40 spots available in each session and both sessions are already filling up, so register soon. You can register your son/daughter by contacting McAskill at bmcaskill@shaw.ca or 250-702-7980. Registration forms will also be sent out to each local school.
"This camp is a great opportunity to further your volleyball development, meet some new people and have a great time playing some volleyball. Be sure to register soon!" McAskill added.
– Comox Valley Volleyball Camp