Three generations on volleyball court
'A dream come true,' says grandfather who played with his son and grandson
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 20, 2017
INUVIK
For Jeffrey Amos, the men's volleyball territorials in Yellowknife wasn't about the score, but family.
Jeffrey Amos and grandson Justin Amos spend spring break together. The pair, along with Justin's father Edwin, made up three generations of the Amos family all playing on the same team during a territorial volleyball tournament earlier this year. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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It was the first time three generations of his family all competed on the same court and same team together.
"The experience was great but even better yet that I got to play with my son and my grandson," said Jeffrey, referring to son Edwin and grandson Justin.
"It didn't matter whether we won or lost. I won personally by being on the court with them."
Jeffrey has been involved with volleyball since 1969, when he was the same age as when Justin started. Jeffrey attended the Arctic Winter Games in 1970 and has been playing, coaching or officiating volleyball since.
His son Edwin also got involved with volleyball in junior high school. He too played at an elite level, attending the North American Indigenous Games, Canada Games and many other tournaments.
"I grew up watching my dad play and I wasn't very interested in the sport," recalled Edwin. "One time they went to Hay River for a men's tournament and they were short a guy, so I had no choice but to jump on the team and play for my dad's team. That's when it became a big sport to me."
Since Justin was born, Jeffrey had been dreaming of playing with all three generations on the same team.
"I didn't tell anybody about my dream because I wanted it to happen first before I told anybody," he said.
When he went to Yellowknife for territorials, his invitation to Justin, who lives in Fort Smith, was a surprise to Edwin too.
Edwin arrived in Yellowknife to see his son in the airport terminal.
"To play on the same team as my son, it was really heartfelt," said Edwin. "It brought me back to when I played with my dad when I was a kid. It really touched home. I love playing sports with my son and I really wish we get that opportunity to play again. Just have to wait to get my knees fixed before I can jump back on the court with him."
Jeffrey called it a dream come true.
Justin, who is relatively new to volleyball, called it a special experience as well.
"It was fun, (my) first big tournament," he said.
Jeffrey was impressed with his play.
"Besides the fact it was a dream of mine to play with them, we had a great time and we saw the teamwork down there," said Jeffrey.
"It was more like a family. We had lots of fun. It was Justin's first time playing in a big tournament. He surprised us with some big blocks and big hits, very happy with the end result. I look forward to playing a few more years and maybe even end up coaching him in an elite program."
The next milestone, four generations, might be a lofty goal, but Jeffrey is up for it if it happens.
"The fourth generation is up to my grandson, might have to wheel me into the court but I'll be around," he laughed.
The Amos team lost to Yellowknife's Frosted Tips, who went on to win the tournament, in the quarter finals.
