Canmore might not be as big as Calgary, but the town’s athletic accomplishments are oversized!
This time, Canmore’s Rocky Mountain Volleyball Club (RMVC) is in the spotlight.
For the first time this month, two local volleyball teams, the RMVC’s U14 and U15 girls teams, qualified for the national competition.
“It’s a huge deal for the club. We’re very excited because this is the first year that we’ve decided to go a full competitive route,” U15 head coach Chad Hollett told the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
The historic accomplishment follows an incredible volleyball season for the club, with the U15 team earning a spot at four championships out of six tournaments this season.
At the Alberta Premier Tournament, the U15 team was on fire and won the club its first-ever gold medal at the tournament.
Canmore was built on hard work, and the town’s athletes, including the RMVC girls, are no strangers to effort.
The club’s competitive programming was taken to the next level this season to compete with city clubs. In addition to hiring a personal trainer for the RMVC, the girls grit their teeth through ten hours of training per week.
“It’s always the big city clubs that have lots to pull from in terms of their talent pool…it’s nice to see our teams just knocking on the door of that and breaking through a bit,” said the club’s president, Darren Anderson.
Anderson is proud of the club’s athletes and claims the girls’ sportsmanship on the court is just as inspiring as their talent.
“They’re just super happy and super excited to be playing volleyball,” said Anderson.
The U14 girls are heading to nationals next door in Richmond, BC, from May 10 to 12. Meanwhile, the U15 girls will head north to make their mark in Edmonton from May 16 to 18 for the nationwide competition.
Athletic Growth for Canmore
Great things are in store for the RMVC.
Next season, the club expects its biggest growth yet, with enough athletes for five competitive girls’ teams and one boys’ team.
The RMVC will also offer a recreational league and spring league this year. The recreational program is meant for athletes who play volleyball with their school but want to continue building their skills.
With more athletes signing up for the club, the RMVC is looking for additional coaches and volunteers.
“We need people in the volleyball community who have a little experience that want to help coach as head coach, assistant coach or want to help run camps here and there,” said Anderson.
However, it isn’t just the RMVC that is expected to see growth in 2024.
New Facility for Cochrane
Last week, the provincial government announced it is investing $30 million in new funding for sports and recreation facilities over the next year.
“Alberta’s government is committed to increasing access to sport and recreation activities in every corner of the province,” said Alberta Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow.
The announcement came shortly after Cochrane approved the construction of a new multi-sport facility set to break ground in July.
The project is expected to cost $1.2 million, but Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program will donate $500,000, and Cochrane plans to cover the remaining $700,000.
The facility will include a 14,000-square-foot play area featuring high-contrast colour surfaces for the vision impaired, adjustable height basketball nets, wheelchair-accessible tables, and more.
Sports are an important part of our children’s lives and teach them important values such as hard work, leadership, responsibility, and cooperation.
The RMVC athletes are a great example of what can be achieved when we give ambitious youths the tools to succeed.
Play on!
