This weekend is one of our happier/sad events. It is our last home league game. On this day we celebrate the athletes and their accomplishments. But we really focus on the graduating ones. This year we have 2 graduating players. Our SID Matt Packwood put together a nice video about their time here.
Claire Willerton, I spoke about Claire earlier in the season. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching Claire. I speak about her in the video and will miss her. I remember my very first year sitting in Crocus High School gym watching Claire play in her grade 12 year. Here was an incredible 6'3" athlete doing everything, she was passing and attacking. We talked to her for the first time there. I also remember Claire's big blocks. She is one of the best blockers we have ever had here in Brandon. One on one she was a force.
Jaryn Ruether, Jaryn is a product of Grande Prairie Regional College and their Wolves Club program. I knew about Jaryn coming up and through the school ranks when I was coaching in Grande Prairie. We tried three times to get Jaryn to come to Brandon. The first two times she chose to stay and play for her home college team. That speaks volume to her loyalty to that group. As a former coach of GPRC I know the motto, "once a Wolf always a Wolf" is really respected there.
For graduation night, we honour the two grads and then take them and their families along with any alumni that can make it to this day out for supper and a few drinks. It is a chance for the alumni to reminisce about their time together and a chance to welcome the two grads to the alumni. Graduation does not mean the end of your connection to the team. Every win we experience is because of those who came before. The people who set the foundation and traditions. Being a Bobcat is more than playing.
I think this vision of alumni involment is shown well in our group as Becky Young, Sara Grona and Ashley Crieghton are all very involved with helping coach the bobcat program now. Other Alumni who have moved away are still making their impact in volleyball and helping spreading the Bobcat lore; Erin Henning is coaching at Grande Prairie College, Nicole Ban is coaching at Grant MacEwan College, Joely Hanke is coaching high school in Ponoka Alberta, Ashley Melnyk is working in accounting and coaching Vegreville Comp, Kelly DeRoo and Krista Ready were coaching at Massey High School in Brandon. Erin Visch-Krahn, Teagan Hunter, Donata Huebert are all playing professionally in Europe. Alyssa Nanninga our first ever grad is now a Physiotherapist in Edmonton. Not a bad list of Alumni considering we have only been in existence for 7 years. I am extremely proud of everyone who has ever put on the jersey.
Claire Willerton, I spoke about Claire earlier in the season. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching Claire. I speak about her in the video and will miss her. I remember my very first year sitting in Crocus High School gym watching Claire play in her grade 12 year. Here was an incredible 6'3" athlete doing everything, she was passing and attacking. We talked to her for the first time there. I also remember Claire's big blocks. She is one of the best blockers we have ever had here in Brandon. One on one she was a force.
Jaryn Ruether, Jaryn is a product of Grande Prairie Regional College and their Wolves Club program. I knew about Jaryn coming up and through the school ranks when I was coaching in Grande Prairie. We tried three times to get Jaryn to come to Brandon. The first two times she chose to stay and play for her home college team. That speaks volume to her loyalty to that group. As a former coach of GPRC I know the motto, "once a Wolf always a Wolf" is really respected there.
For graduation night, we honour the two grads and then take them and their families along with any alumni that can make it to this day out for supper and a few drinks. It is a chance for the alumni to reminisce about their time together and a chance to welcome the two grads to the alumni. Graduation does not mean the end of your connection to the team. Every win we experience is because of those who came before. The people who set the foundation and traditions. Being a Bobcat is more than playing.
I think this vision of alumni involment is shown well in our group as Becky Young, Sara Grona and Ashley Crieghton are all very involved with helping coach the bobcat program now. Other Alumni who have moved away are still making their impact in volleyball and helping spreading the Bobcat lore; Erin Henning is coaching at Grande Prairie College, Nicole Ban is coaching at Grant MacEwan College, Joely Hanke is coaching high school in Ponoka Alberta, Ashley Melnyk is working in accounting and coaching Vegreville Comp, Kelly DeRoo and Krista Ready were coaching at Massey High School in Brandon. Erin Visch-Krahn, Teagan Hunter, Donata Huebert are all playing professionally in Europe. Alyssa Nanninga our first ever grad is now a Physiotherapist in Edmonton. Not a bad list of Alumni considering we have only been in existence for 7 years. I am extremely proud of everyone who has ever put on the jersey.
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