Fanshawe home to Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence
Fanshawe is set to play host to
the Volleyball Canada Centre of
Excellence this September. The
program focuses on developing
young players between the ages of
14 and 18 for pathways into
provincial- and national-level volleyball.
At the helm is the director
of the London Volleyball Canada
Centre of Excellence and
Fanshawe's men's volleyball head
coach Patrick Johnston, and he's
looking forward to the benefits of
hosting the development camp.
“There are a lot of benefits from hosting the program, (such as) recruiting, resources and the money it will generate,” said Johnston.
As part of hosting the esteemed VCCE, the Fanshawe varsity team will have much-needed access to the valuable resources used for the program. The Fanshawe varsity volleyball teams have fallen short over the years, with the men's team failing to qualify for the playoffs and the women's team having last medaled in 2010 season.
The camp, which is set up right in Fanshawe's gym, will give Johnston direct access to recruiting high-level players. This opportunity will help feed the team, which it desperately needs as college varsity teams have a very high turnover due to shorter program lengths at the college level. The VCCE will also bring local club coaches and varsity coaches from Western University and Fanshawe together, creating what Johnston says will be more sustainable recruiting.
“Luckily here in London, there aren't other colleges we need to compete against for recruits,” said Johnston. If incoming students want to stay local, they have the option of university and college programs.
The program starts in September and it has garnered tons of interest since it was announced. In July, over 90 players showed up to tryouts, but only 56 were chosen for the highly sought-after training. According to the VCCE website, the youth will receive individualized training according to their specific positional needs. These high-performance athletes will train twice a week early in the morning and have strength and conditioning training as well.
The program will run until April 2014, and if all goes well the Centre could renew its contract with Fanshawe for a second year.
“There are a lot of benefits from hosting the program, (such as) recruiting, resources and the money it will generate,” said Johnston.
As part of hosting the esteemed VCCE, the Fanshawe varsity team will have much-needed access to the valuable resources used for the program. The Fanshawe varsity volleyball teams have fallen short over the years, with the men's team failing to qualify for the playoffs and the women's team having last medaled in 2010 season.
The camp, which is set up right in Fanshawe's gym, will give Johnston direct access to recruiting high-level players. This opportunity will help feed the team, which it desperately needs as college varsity teams have a very high turnover due to shorter program lengths at the college level. The VCCE will also bring local club coaches and varsity coaches from Western University and Fanshawe together, creating what Johnston says will be more sustainable recruiting.
“Luckily here in London, there aren't other colleges we need to compete against for recruits,” said Johnston. If incoming students want to stay local, they have the option of university and college programs.
The program starts in September and it has garnered tons of interest since it was announced. In July, over 90 players showed up to tryouts, but only 56 were chosen for the highly sought-after training. According to the VCCE website, the youth will receive individualized training according to their specific positional needs. These high-performance athletes will train twice a week early in the morning and have strength and conditioning training as well.
The program will run until April 2014, and if all goes well the Centre could renew its contract with Fanshawe for a second year.
