The University of Toronto has a strong history of winning in the OUA for Men’s and Women’s Volleyball. Strong athletes attend U of T every year, which makes it no surprise that they are also producing some of the top Beach players in Canada. Some top players from U of T have represented Canada Internationally including Mike Slean, Christian Redmann, Jessie Lelliott, Kristina Valjas, Heather Bansley, and Asya Danilova. Arguably at the top of the list is Josh Binstock.

His accomplishments include 2008 and 2009 National Champion, Silver Medalist at FIVB Challenger event in Liechenstein, and Bronze medal FIVB Challenger event in Swtizerland

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Josh: Because I found it more challenging than indoor and I enjoyed it being just as much of a mental game as it is physical.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Josh: The fact that its only 2 on 2 vs 6 on 6, so you cant hide behind your team if you’re playing bad, or count on someone to bail you out, you have more control over the outcome of the match.

I also like that you have to be skilled at all aspects of the game (i.e. passing, setting, hitting, serving, anticipation, etc.) and not just be specialized as a setter or middle hitter, etc. thus making you need to be a well rounded athlete to succeed.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
Josh: I would say the organization and structure of the sport. For many years, it has been looked at (at least in Canada) as a non structured sport that athletes just pick up and try to succeed it. The change I would make is for athletes to take it seriously from a young age if they want to be successful nationally and especially internationally. They shouldn’t just go down to the beach just to play games. Practices should be structured on focusing on specific skills as well as game play, and to be successful, athletes should focus on not just practicing but properly nutrition, preparation for practice and matches along with a proper workout regime.

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 partnering with Beach Blast and the Canadian Sport Centre to create a National Beach Volleyball Practice Centre in Ontario.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
Josh: Don’t let perceived physical inferiority dictate your aspiration or success level on the beach. Beach is a game where ball control, skill and intelligence will prevail over brute raw simple strength

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Josh: I see beach in Canada being as good of a competitive environment as its ever been. There are so many good young players now, that can train against and push each other so in 5 years the level of competition will be as superior as its ever been.

OVA: Describe a World Tour event for someone who has never attended.
Josh: Well each World Tour event is different, some are run better than others. But typically you arrive and if you are in the qualifier you must play on Wednesday and on average must win 3 games in a row to qualify for the main draw. You can’t lose 1 match. The qualifier is single elimination where as the main draw is double. Like I said before, each event is different and depending on the city/country different amount of fans watch. Places like Klagenfurt, Austria have thousands of people watching almost every game. Its a great feeling to play there and you know people really appreciate the sport there.

OVA: What is it like playing on the World Tour?
Josh: It is a great opportunity and honor to travel the world and represent your country. Things cant be taken for granted when traveling though. Things that you take for granted here will affect your play if you take them for granted there. For example when playing at home, you have your own bed, own food, familiar environment, etc. When in a different country you have to account for all of that, and learn to adapt to those things being different and not let it affect your performance.
It is fun, the other players are mostly all good people and its a great experience to meet people from around the world.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
Josh: Winning the 2009 National Championships without losing a set

We would like to thank Josh for all of his help with this article. We wish him the best of luck in the upcoming season.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol
jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233

A few things should come to mind when you think about beach volleyball and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The obvious ones being, it was the first time beach volleyball was an official Olympic sport and that John Child and Mark Heese won the Bronze Medal. The best kept secret from the games is that the Canadian pair of Margo Malowney and Barb Broen-Oullette played the first ever match at the Olympics.

OVA: What was it like playing in the first match of the 1996 Olympics?
Margo: It would have been a lot better had we won!
I think we underestimated the enormity of it. We had been thinking ‘it’s just another tournament. Approach it like it’s any other tournament.’ But it’s not. It’s the Olympics. We lost to a team that we’d never lost to before. We were nervous and not as well prepared as we needed to be. It’s a bittersweet memory for me.

OVA: Best memory from the 96 Olympic Games
Margo: Being “adopted” by an entire US army regiment on volunteer leave for the Games. They assigned themselves to our service and offered to be there for us whenever we needed. The games had mission leaders, coaches, staff managers, volunteers and security everywhere, but there was something powerful in that gesture.

Margo’s journey through volleyball started off like many other OVA athletes. She grew up in Toronto and started playing in Grade 7. She then played for her High School and Club team, which then lead to her playing at Queen’s University. While at Queen’s she was named Rookie MVP, Team Captain and MVP.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Margo: I began playing beach in summers during my university years, and played on our Ontario based tour on weekends. For the first few summers I was working at a downtown securities firm as a summer student – I’d wear my suit and work in a high rise all day, then race to the beaches  where we’d set up our own nets (no nets were allowed at that time) and play until we couldn’t see anymore. I’d pack up and drive back to Mississauga and my parents place and do it all again the following day.

I’m a beach player through and through. Although I did play university indoor vball, once I discovered beach it was no contest. I found it natural to love a sport that was outdoors, at the beach and that required so little “stuff”. When I say “stuff” I mean equipment (like skiing where you need layers upon layers of clothes and tons of equipment to lug around – all of which are critical), as well as what I’ll call bureaucracy. When I started there really weren’t any coaches or programs. Athletes were largely driven by their own desire to compete and perform. I am independent and entrepreneurial by nature and the sport suited me. I took particular satisfaction in the high degree of responsibility and control: if I lose 5 games in a row, with 5 different partners it seems pretty clear that I needed to look to myself to make some changes. You can’t throw blame very far, and for a young athlete I think that is a valuable lesson. I’ve carried that into other aspects of my life: it was a lesson in how to look objectively at a situation without including all the cloudy, personal clutter.

After graduating from Queen’s Margo attended the University of San Diego where she trained full time with top US players, competed on the world tour and earned an MBA in International Business.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Margo: That is a tough one – and as I think about it I can’t choose between the fantastic places the sport has shown me (Copacabana Beach during carnival, Kuta Beach in Bali, Caribbean Islands, beaches in Korea and Japan etc etc etc) or the wonderful family of friends I have made as a result of the sport. People I’ve met through this sport are among the best people I know.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Margo: After a summer of beach I would start the indoor season with such a sense of confidence – I’d spent the summer travelling and playing with and against some of the top athletes (and my indoor competitors) – any psychological advantages they may have had from playing for a stronger school or program completely disappeared for me. I was also in much better shape because I’d spent the past few months training and competing. The indoor court always felt so small and crowded when I got back to it – we had six people to cover the same area that I’d covered all summer with just two. Last but not least would have to be increased ball control. Contacts. Contacts. Contacts.

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 partnering 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?
Margo: There is talk in the US about including “sand volleyball” in university athletic programs. I’d like to see the same thing happen here in Canada and I’d like to see the volleyball associations spearhead the conversation.
I’d also like to see the reinvigoration of a pro tour. It doesn’t need to be all things to all people – especially in this economy – but needs to exist in order to give our young athletes inspiration, and to provide a next level competitive step for current athletes before they compete internationally.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
Margo: Be fearless. Believe.

I’ve been told by young athletes that my story inspires them. I didn’t play for one of the top schools and we weren’t a particularly successful indoor varsity team. Although I’d had a few individual successes (had some coaches try to recruit me in high school and was MVP here and there), I was not one of the “it” players. I’m sure most people would agree that I wasn’t really seen as a threat early in my beach career. But I knew that I wanted to play. I had a deep desire and passion for this game, and I (arrogantly or naively) truly believed that I could compete with the best.

I still believe it today – but I’m wise enough to understand that I won’t be competing at a world level again. More importantly I’m also wise enough to understand that it was that unwavering belief that enabled me to in the first place.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be (organization, rule, training, anything etc.)
Margo: You asked if there was anything I could change – so my response is simple – I’d change the climate so we Canadians could train and compete year round.
Jen Harkness and I spent almost a year living at Bondi Beach in Australia playing beach virtually every day. When we left we were not considered top players in Canada, but I believe that we were the first to train year round and that alone made all the difference.
So realistically – I’d like to see facilities that are free of charge so athletes can easily train year round. I’d like to see this for everyone, not just current national team members. If we want this sport to grow, anyone who has the desire to learn to play should have an opportunity to do so freely. It would provide a greater pool of players to select from for a national team, as well as creating opportunities for athletes like myself to improve, who may not have had as strong an indoor program to fuel them.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
Margo: There are so many individual memories, but the best – for me – is undoubtedly the grand adventure itself: world travel and the hands-on international education that has provided me. Maneuvering different modes of travel, airports and cultures; discovering what the ER is like in Denpassar; meeting Navy Seals on deployment from Guam; learning the art of the kimono from a Japanese kimono teacher; the crazy customs process flying into Acapulco; developing a lifelong love for genuine taquiera Mexican burritos. All intertwined with a developing sense of self as I learned to set, meet and exceed my goals.

Oh – and acing an ex-partner for game point in a Canadian Nationals and knocking her out of the event.

We would like to thank Margo Malowney 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.

There isn’t much Christian Redmann sits around wishing for other than 12 months of summer. He has worked hard to earn everything he has accomplished in his beach volleyball career.

His career began with a unique situation in his home town of Oro Station. “I started playing beach because my best friend got a beach court in his backyard when we were about 16 and we played every day.”

Christian quickly found his way from the backyard to the world stage competing with Chris Simek at the U21 World Championships in Italy where the team finished fifth. From there he experienced success on the FIVB Satellite and Challenger tour with teammate Josh Binstock. The team finished on the podium three times in 2006.

Things started to really take off for Christian when he partnered with National Team veteran Rich VanHuizen. No one knew what to expect at their first tournament together in Poland. The team surprised everyone with a 17th place finish. Then the world took notice. They finished 9th at the biggest event of the year, the FIVB World Championships in Norway, then a 5th place finish at a Grand Slam in Russia.

“There were a lot of special memories some of my favorites were beating Brazil (Bruno-Maciel) in the first match of the Worlds, beating Norway (Skarlund-Spinnangr) on centre court in Norway at the world championships in front of 9,000 people. Our 5th in Russia was also a nice memory an even though we lost our quarterfinal game against the number one team in the world (Brink-Reckermann of Germany) was a great memory but also a bad one. Knowing we had come so close and not beating them was tough. Playing on the world tour is amazing. Playing in front of so many people is such an amazing experience that not many people get to have. You are able to experience so many extreme emotions at first then learning how to control them is pretty cool too!”

OVA: What was the biggest change that made you a main draw team?
Redmann: “I think my attitude towards the game changed a lot this year. I became much more competitive in practice and training. We focused a lot on what we could control. Our mental state going into games and how hard we worked while we were competing.”

Christian’s path started like many Ontario athletes, playing for his school and area club team. He sees a lot of benefits for indoor athletes who play beach.“For indoor players I think playing beach really helps players develop all their skills. It also helps to become self sufficient and to think on your own and be able to strategize and react in certain situations. My favourite part of beach is the involvement in the game. There are only 2 players on the court so you are involved in every play. I like being able to have an influence over the outcome of the game.”

OVA: What advice would you give to any athletes with the goal of representing Canada?
Redmann: “Never give up on yourself. You always need to be able to focus on improving and doing your best, and when you can do that things like making the national team or winning seem to fall into place.”

We would like to thank Christian Redmann 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.

With 17 years of experience that includes highlights such as Team Captain of the Michigan State University Spartans, competing in the NCAA Final Four and a pro career in Europe, some people might wonder why Dana Cooke would ever give up playing indoor volleyball for beach.
When asked what she most likes about beach, her reply is a confident, “How challenging it is. You are also forced to deal with individual pressure that can often be hidden or defrayed in the indoor game. There are no subs on the beach. You can’t hide your mistakes so it increases your mental toughness to deal with those times where you aren’t playing your best. You have to find a way out of it. It makes you very self reliant.”

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Dana: “In the beginning, just for fun. I was invited to the National Team selection camp and decided to attend to see the level and what the game was all about. I had no idea I would be asked to go on the World Tour and try to make the 2008 Beijing Olympics!”

While at the National Team selection camp Dana was approached to play with the top female player in Canada at that time, Annie Martin.  It was a risky move for such an established player to try for an Olympics in a very short 2 years with a rookie to the sand but it was a challenge Dana was more than up for.  In the end the pair came a heartbreaking four spots short. But what an accomplishment to be ranked 28th in the world after only two years and never having played beach before.

OVA: What’s your best memory from Beach?
Dana: “The first time we earned a spot in the main draw in Singapore by defeating China 3 in the third set.  They were ranked first in the qualifier and it was a huge upset.  Having come from many years of indoor and not really knowing the beach game it was the moment I felt, ‘Wow, I think I really can do this!’ ”

This season Dana is coaching the U17 Girls at Toronto Element. Most of her athletes played on the OVA Beach Tour this past season.

OVA: What benefits does Beach have for indoor players?
Dana: “Many. Since you are one of two players on the court you have to be able to do everything well.  It increases your basic skills to be an all-round player and makes athletes multi-dimensional.”

OVA: Any advice you would give to an athlete with the goal of representing Canada?
Dana: “There is no substitute for PLAYING. Play as much as you can and try to do two things; learn from an experienced player as well as teaching younger athletes how to play. Being a coach yourself makes you look at the skills differently and asking questions from many different experienced players provides you with invaluable information.  There are many paths to success in beach, you just have to find out what yours is.”

Although there are countless benefits for athletes who play beach volleyball there is one thing Dana would change about the sport. “I would change the image beach has,” she says and adds, “Its an incredibly demanding, athletic and highly tactical sport.  Unfortunately because of the nature if being associated with the beach (and wearing bathing suits for uniforms) there is a stigma of it not be a seriously competitive sport.  Anyone that has played beach can tell you just how challenging even moving around in the sand is.
Thanks to Dana for her help with this article, and good luck this season with Element.

If you would like to recommend an athlete for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233.

Boys action at the 2009 Beach Nationals in Toronto

Over 280 teams from eight provinces and one territory competed on 85 courts at the Beach Nationals at Ashbridges Bay from August 28-30. The OVA would like to thank all the athletes and families that attended the three day event.

A very special thank you to Mark Heese and Canuck Stuff for organizing and hosting the 20 year Beach Nationals Anniversary party at Balmy Beach Club. The event was well attended and it was a wonderful tribute to past and present beach volleyball players and coaches.

Congratulations to all the medal winners. Ontario was very well represented on the podium this year.

To relive the moments and to see if you were captured on camera, please check out the following links to the photographer’s websites. Special thanks to Patti Henderson, Wenbing Liu and Wendy Lang for taking such great action shots at the event. All photos are available for purchase. Please refer to the individual photographer for payment details.

http://www.pattihenderson.smugmug.com/

http://camallphoto.co.cc/

List of Winners from VC
Senior Division 1 Men
Gold medal: Zbyszewski-Binstock (ON)
Silver medal: Saxton-Lelliot
Bronze medal: Reader-Cadieux

Senior Division 1 Women
Gold medal: Martin-Lessard
Silver medal: Maloney-Zakrewski (ON)
Bronze medal: Cordonier-Broder

Senior Division 2 Men
Gold medal: Bartlett-Hamilton-Holmes (ON)
Silver medal: Laughlin-Mumtaz (ON)
Bronze medal: Bryce-Simon (ON)

Senior Division 2 Women
Gold medal: Britton-Lukiw
Silver medal: Pothaar-Gatto (ON)
Bronze medal: Holmes-Devereux (ON)

24U Men
Gold medal: Allaire-Fecto-Boutin (QC)
Silver medal: Myroniuk-Gourlay (AB)
Bronze medal: Classens-Marcoux (QC)

24U Women
Gold medal: Greg-Tait (BC)
Silver medal: Chevarie-Tanguay (QC)
Bronze medal: Schaerli-Carrivée-Vanier (QC)

21U Men
Gold medal: Hunt-Podstawka (ON)
Silver medal: Humana-Paredes-Weyranch (ON)
Bronze medal: Charron-Poulin (ON)

18U Men
Gold medal: Richter-Caverly (BC)
Silver medal: Del Bianco-Chow (BC)
Bronze medal: Stevenson-Mackay (ON)

18U Women
Gold medal: Altomare-Humana-Paredes (ON)
Silver medal: Riemer-Cockrell (MB)
Bronze medal: Kirshner-Vortisch (ON)

16U Boys
Gold medal: Nuguid-Nusbaum (ON)
Silver medal: May-O’Gorman (ON)
Bronze medal: Kolvr-Coleman (ON)

16U Girls
Gold medal: Bozinoski-Krizmanich (ON)
Silver medal: Lundkuist-Enns (BC)
Bronze medal: Simmons-W

14U Boys
Gold medal: Jordan-Grossinger (ON)
Silver medal: Nguyen-Murdock (ON)
Bronze medal: Sadler-Crompton (ON)

14U Girls
Gold medal: Fryer-Longman (ON)
Silver medal: Bailey-Rivera (ON)
Bronze medal: Leidl-Petcoff (ON