Inaugural Momentum Pro Sports volleyball camp held in Kincardine

Twenty-one athletes in Grades 6-12, took in the inaugural Momentum Pro Sports volleyball camp held last week at the Davidson Centre.

Inspired by Melissa Chauder, volleyball coach at Kincardine District Secondary School, the camp was open to youth in Kincardine, Port Elgin and Walkerton and the surrounding area, but welcomed players from Kitchener and Guelph who have summer homes in the Kincardine area.

The camp ran from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with classroom sessions and practical experience on the volleyball court in the gymnasium.

“The time spent in the classroom focuses on health and nutrition, sleep and hydration, as well as learning some more advanced volleyball skills,” said Chauder. Wednesday's session also included a guest speaker.

Momentum Pro Sports provides the professionals for the week-long camp, and those were Nathan Groenveld, York University men's volleyball coach; and Andre Brown of Mississauga, professional overseas player, who is on a volleyball team in Portugal.

“It's a great opportunity for the youth to work with a coach and player of this calibre,” said Chauder. “I met Michael Amoroso of Momentum Pro Sports during a boys volleyball clinic in Chesley, and I invited him to do a volleyball camp in Kincardine. And here we are.

“It not only boosts their skills in the sport, it gives them an awareness of the opportunities beyond high school – there are university volleyball scholarships, and volleyball clubs and organizations.”

In Kincardine for the first time, Brown said it's a great place, and the people are personable and friendly. His goals are to instill a love of the game with the young players, and to improve their skills.

Groenveld of Hamilton said it was an awesome camp.

“We focus on high-performance skills, but we also teach about other important off-the-court things, such as health and nutrition,” he said. “Many of these players have a passion for volleyball so I'd love to bring this camp back next year.”

He said it's also important to help high school coaches, such as Chauder, working with players in a small, rural area, to improve their skills. And to let the players know there is volleyball beyond the high school level.

A similar volleyball camp was also held in Wiarton.