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.
Dedication and hard work are two things going for Flin Flon's junior high volleyball team. A group of 13 and 14-year-old girls are driven to reach the ultimate goal of playing in the Manitoba Winter Games in Beausejour. First, they need to finish atop of The Pas, Thompson and Easterville during the Norman Regional Games this weekend. "I expect it to be tough," said Flin Flon co-coach Cathy Davidson, who works with Gord Halpin and Merv Harkiss. "Thompson is always tough." Davidson also expects Easterville, who won the Grade seven and eight volleyball tournament in The Pas, to be a difficult opponent, while The Pas won the tournament in Flin Flon. "I think they have a great chance and have worked really hard," Davidson said of her team. To be in game shape, the team played against a team made up of Grade 11 and 12 students and have also played against the Grade eight Creighton Kodak's. Practices started the second week of December and the players practiced through the Christmas break. "That's dedication," Davidson emphasized. While just about every team in sport has a select few players who rise and carry their team, Davidson states that isn't the case with this group. "There are strong personalities on this team," she said. "The girls have developed a strong bond and have team unity." Jaycee Halpin said the team works well together and that's what's important. "We all stand out," she said. "We've practiced a lot and we want to go all the way." Teammate, Caitlyn Davidson, feels the team's challenge is nerves. "We've never been in this situation of regionals," she said, as she also feels the team can go the distance. If the team wins regionals, they must then work for success at the Manitoba Winter Games, March 6-12. The team is in regionals because their coaches entered them to give the players experience, which for some of them is a one-time opportunity.
