The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
SheÕs been from country to country earning medals and spiking her opponents, but when she had the chance to come to Flin Flon there were no questions asked. Stephanie Penner, a Cranberry Portage native, moved to bigger cities to pursue her love of volleyball. As she played for National teams, she also put on camps for many years to pass on her love of the sport. But that was a few years ago. ItÕs been close to 10 years from the last time Penner put on a camp. But the name Flin Flon came about and she knew she couldnÕt pass it up. ÒThis is my first time back in Flin Flon,Ó says the national setter. ÒItÕs so cool being back here. ÒWhen we were driving around I was smiling the whole way from the Cranberry Portage water tower.Ó Aside from the local landmarks and attractions, Penner says she was excited to hear what other people are doing. ÒItÕs been so amazing to come back and hear about people IÕve gone to school with,Ó she says. Not just for volleyball, but sports in general, Penner says she spent many days in the gym of McIsaac School Ecole McIsaac, which is where the camp she hosted was put on. The camp gave students from Grade 6-10 the opportunity to learn a thing or two about volleyball from someone who has taken her love of the sport to the highest level. Penner began her volleyball days in Cranberry Portage for a few years. ÒI can remember making my first overhand serve and I was so excited. I loved being part of a team sport,Ó she said, adding that it was the most exciting part. Penner then moved to Dauphin for her middle school years where she tried out to be a setter. In Grade 9 she made the senior team. ÒThatÕs when it all got started for me, I guess.Ó As the years went on, Penner found herself in Regina playing as a setter in her senior year of high school. ÒI worked hard to be there,Ó she said. From there, she enrolled in the University of Manitoba where she took her Arts degree with a major in criminology and a minor in psychology. From there Penner made her way onto two National teams that were crowned champions. ÒI was never the athlete that was sought after coaches, I was always in their office and on the phone asking if they wanted me to try out,Ó says the setter. Many times Penner was told she was too short to play International volleyball, which she found ironic. ÒI donÕt know why because internationally, I am average height. But I guess I donÕt look tall compared to some of the others,Ó she said. But that didnÕt stop her as she went for it. Coming out on top, Penner was named to the B team, which is a development team, in her third year at the University of Manitoba. Penner then made her way onto the A team, which is where she was able to play in the International tournaments. ÒItÕs very hard work with the training and the weight schedule,Ó she says. ÒBut itÕs the lifestyle and itÕs not easy. But you are trained and ready.Ó Penner says everyone on the team is on the same level with a good work ethics. The hard work and good work ethics paid off when she found herself playing professional volleyball for Germany for two years and Turkey for one. Through her years of playing, Penner continued to put on camps, like the one in Flin Flon earlier this week. ÒI just love teaching kids,Ó she says. ÒI had great coaches...and I want to pass on the knowledge to teach kids to play volleyball.Ó As a rule, Penner stopped doing camps, but says she couldnÕt say no when Flin Flon was mentioned. ÒIt was perfect timing, I wasnÕt doing anything. ÒIf I can share my stories and skills to help move them along, than thatÕs great,Ó she says. At the age of 28, Penner says she is now looking to move on and try new things. But that is easier said than done. ÒItÕs the ultimate question. IÕve only known volleyball,Ó she says. ÒBut I would like to move on and start a family soon. IÕve seen a lot of things in the world (with volleyball), but IÕd like to try new things now.Ó A possibility in PennerÕs future could be a job with immigration, as it would give her the chance to travel and see more of the world. ÒItÕs really hard to tell.Ó As Penner made her first trip back, her homeland since 1992, she says she forgot how beautiful it is. ÒI remember anything that hasnÕt changed,Ó she says. ÒBut I forgot how beautiful the lakes are. I took one look at the water and forgot how clear it was.Ó Of the places sheÕs been too, Penner compares Flin Flon to Kenora, Ont. ÒIt reminds me of there and we go every summer,Ó she says. And it doesnÕt look like this will be the last trip to the area for Penner. ÒI want to come North all the time and pass it on with my family. ÒI love it.Ó
