A local volleyball club is getting a helping hand from the College of the Rockies.
The East Kootenay Volleyball Club have formed a partnership with the COTR Avalanche, which is aimed at building the sport in the East Kootenays.
Cori Andrichuk, manager of campus life and athletics, notes that the new partnership will enable the two groups to share knowledge and infrastructure, while giving local athletes access to high level volleyball close to home.
“We have had a long-standing relationship with the EKVC,” Andrichuk said. “Many of our former and current players help out with coaching for the club and they frequently use our facility for games.
“This partnership helps us to continue to grow the existing relationship for the benefit of volleyball in the region.”
Though the announcement is just being made, there have already been tangible benefits of the partnership, as the EKVC gathered funding and volunteer labour to rebuild the beach volleyball courts next to the track at the College.
“The courts have been completed and they are an outstanding addition to the COllege track facility,” added Andrichuk. “This was a huge project that was spearheaded by EKVC coach Troy McFadzen and will benefit not only Avalanche and EKVC teams, but the College students and Cranbrook community.”
EKVC vice president Karen Kettenacker added that the new beach courts bring many benefits to the club.
“Beach volleyball provides excellent cross training for indoor volleyball,” Kettenacker said. “The newly restored courts will also provide a training site for athletes trying to qualify for the B.C. Summer Games.
“We look forward to hosting some beach volleyball tournaments in 2014.”
Many volunteers, along with support from Sandor Rentals and Hebditch Holdings Inc, banded together to complete the court restoration.