PROfiles Rebecca Moskowitz
Graduating from the University of Toronto and the University of Western Ontario for Law are two major accomplishments that require a lot of hard work and dedication. When Rebecca Moskowitz decided to focus on Beach Volleyball as a career, the same character traits were unleashed. Rebecca’s passion for the game is expressed by the way she trains for the sport. Living in Ontario has some advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage to a Beach Volleyball player would be our climate. Rebecca adjusted by travelling to train to the hotbed of volleyball, Brazil!
OVA: What is it like training in Brazil?
Rebecca: Amazing!  Eye-opening!  Transforming! Challenging! 

Ball-control, sweat, and tears almost guaranteed

.
OVA: Describe how you plan a trip for someone who has never been to Brazil.
Rebecca’s Steps:
- Decide on what you want to achieve from the experience.
- Determine your funding.
- Talk with someone who’s been to Brazil for training before and have them help you.  Connections and advice are important.  Brazil is very different from Canada.
- Buy a Portuguese/English dictionary.
OVA: When you go to Brazil what other countries do you train with?
Rebecca: I’ve mostly trained with Brazilians when I’m in Brazil, but I’ve also worked with some Swedes and, next season, I hear that there might be some other countries too.  I, however, train in Joao Pessoa, which is much smaller than where most people train, in Rio.  Rio has teams from all over the world.
Before making the decision to play beach full time Rebecca enjoyed playing indoor volleyball, and was a member of the Toronto Varsity Blues.
OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Rebecca: I started playing because it looked interesting and was a new challenge for me;  I continue to play and have made it my profession because thinking about, practicing for it, and playing it makes my heart smile.


OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?


Rebecca: Ball control, exposure to a different kind of team work, personal growth…A tan.
OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Rebecca: That it’s so incredibly demanding and exposing. To excel at it, one must be so good at so many things at so many levels in so many different areas. Guaranteed growth.
Volleyball continues to grow in popularity every year in Ontario and Canada. Volleyball Canada and the OVA have made some big strides for our National team, including the hiring of our National Team coach Lennard Krapp and Beach Development Coach Angie Shen. VC and the OVA have also partnered with Beach Blast and the Canadian Sport Centre to create a National Beach Volleyball Practice Centre in Ontario.
OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Rebecca: I see it going up – WAY up.
OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for Canada?
Rebecca: Go for it!  And listen to YOUR heart; know that any advice or opinions presented to you are those people just making their best guess.  The future, what is possible – well, no humans, save perhaps for a psychic few have that answer.  Only you know what’s inside you and only you decide what you are capable of.
OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
Rebecca: Definitely its organization. I would love to see a Canadian-wide tour on par with the AVP and Brazil Tour, more corporate sponsor involvement, and a smoother and faster transition for up-and-comers to be able to compete and break into the top ranks.
OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
Rebecca: The taste of accomplishment after so much struggle.
We would like to thank Rebecca Moskowitz for taking the time to help write this article. If you would like to recommend an athlete for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233.
