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Smash Volleyball Tournament hits the court in Fort Simpson Organizers hope competition will develop the sport in the region
Jeanne Gagnon
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, October 10, 2013
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Two busloads of athletes from Behchoko and Hay River converged on Fort Simpson for the first Fort Simpson Smash Volleyball Tournament.
Mallory Hardisty, of Fort Simpson, sets up a serve at the Fort Simpson Smash Volleyball Tournament from Oct. 4 to 6. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo
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The technical rules were relaxed, but players of a recent volleyball tournament learned new skills – something organizers hope will develop the sport in the region.
The tournament was held at the recreation centre Oct. 4 to 6, and brought a total of 18 teams from Fort Simpson, Hay River and Behchoko.
The Mackenzie Recreation Association decided to hold the event to replace the swim meet it was unable to host in Fort Liard this past summer. The association also wanted to try something new for the community and develop the sport, said organizer Shane Thompson. In the end, 104 players participated in the three-day event.
"It was a good tournament. The kids had a lot of fun," Thompson said. "They're looking at hosting it again next year, for sure."
Volleyball is being developed in the region as more people play soccer, said Colinda Blondin, regional youth programs officer of the Deh Cho region with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. But she added she would like to get more people interested in the sport. This tournament, along with others such as mini-volleyball for younger children, will enable players to learn the sport's basic skills.
"I like to play volleyball and it's nice to get people out to do different things once in a while. Just try something new and different," she said.
Blondin described the tournament as a "great success" and hopes it will be bigger next year.
"It is all for fun right now," she said. "As we grow, hopefully we grow as well."
Although it was all for fun, scores were kept and playoffs were held after the round robin.
In the U-15 girls' division, Hay River 2 finished first, Hay River 3 came second and Behchoko finished third. In the U-15 boys' division, Hay River B took top honours, Behchoko finished second and Hay River A came in third. In the open category, Behchoko Boys finished first, Fort Simpson 1 came in second and the Fort Simpson Fire Department finished third.
Spectators came to watch the games, with some interested in the sport and wanting to play approaching Blondin. The hope is for next year's event to be even bigger, she said.
"We really stressed to all the teams it was a fun tournament, but of course, some of them got a little competitive. This was just to really try out some skills and bring out the sport a little," said Blondin. "Competitiveness will always be there. It was fairly competitive and then other times, it was fairly low technical rules. It was kind of relaxed at some times."
The tournament was held on short notice. Teams from Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte and Fort Providence were interested in taking part but unable to come due to timing, said Thompson.
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