Staff
The chance to represent this area at a provincial volleyball competition is on the line here this Saturday.
Fort High will host an open tryout for the Northwestern Norskies U16 girls’ team that will compete at the Ontario championships in Waterloo from April 7-9.
Sessions will be held from 10 a.m.-noon and again from 1-3 p.m. for any female born between Sept. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2001, as well as those born between Sept. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2002.
“I have had a great response in regards to the tryouts,” said head evaluator and Muskie senior girls’ co-coach Amy Wilson-Hands.
“We have athletes coming in from all over Northwestern Ontario so I’m sure our level of talent to choose from will be excellent.
“I have seen what the NorWOSSA junior athletes had to offer [at the recent playoffs in Fort Frances] so I’m pretty excited for the outcome of this team,” she added.
“In saying that, I also know how hard it will be for co-coach Terry McMahon and I to have to pick a team when there is this much talent to choose from.”
Wilson-Hands said athletes will be evaluated during their tournament play in Waterloo and may be invited to train at the high performance centre this summer, which will result in a tryout for a spot on the U16 Team Ontario squad.
It also will give them a chance to compete in the National Team Challenge Cup against teams from provinces across Canada, as well as some high performance teams from the U.S.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity for our Region 1 athletes,” Wilson-Hands stressed.
“The exposure they will receive from competing at this tourney, as well as the possibility of being invited to train at the high performance centre this summer, is incredible,” she enthused.
“Also, just to be on a team with athletes from all different towns and cities in Northwestern Ontario is pretty neat,” Wilson-Hands added.
“They will develop lasting friendships as well as memories.”
Wilson-Hands, who will help guide the Muskies at the OFSAA ‘AA’ championship beginning Monday in Belleville, is optimistic about what the Region 1 squad can achieve at the Ontario championships.
“I am sure the teams will be very talented at the Ontario championships but I believe we have just as much talent here in Northwestern Ontario,” she said.
