Page W4 · Richmond Review
Friday, September 7, 2012
Oval Volleyball Athletes land spots on National Team It’s been more than two years since the Olympic Winter Games were in full swing at the Richmond Olympic Oval, but Canadian Spirit is still very much alive under the Oval roof. Earlier this summer, the Oval played host to the Canadian Olympic Women’s Soccer Team as they trained for the Summer Games in London. Now, two players who are recent graduates of the Oval’s Volleyball Centre of Excellence have earned spots on Canada’s Junior National Team. Juliana Kaufmanis and Nicola Laniuk-Etter, both of whom trained at the Oval under head coach Joanne Ross, have been selected to the Junior National Team, taking them each one step closer to realizing their volleyball dreams. “It is a crazy experience that’s for sure,” says Kaufmanis, who calls Richmond home and has committed to the play with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds this fall. “It’s really exciting to get to represent your country.” Laniuk-Etter is from Surrey and like Kaufmanis competed with the Vancouver Thunder Volleyball Club in addition to training at the Oval.
JULIANA KAUFMANIS, Richmond Olympic Oval Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence alumni
“Without Joanne (Ross) helping me to improve so much throughout the year I don’t know if I’d be here,” Laniuk-Etter professes. “I owe a lot to her.” The hope is that their successes are not uncommon. The Oval’s Volleyball program continues to train committed athletes who are dedicated to personal and performance excellence. “Our responsibility is recognizing their strengths and areas of improvement from the start of the year and following through with a focused season plan,” says Volleyball Centre of Excellence Head Coach, Joanne Ross. “This integrated approach ensures these athletes are healthy, and physically and mentally prepared for training and competition.” Not only does it make sure they’re ready, in the case of Kaufmanis and Laniuk-Etter it allows them to compete at higher levels, proving the Oval is a place that not only hosts elite athletes, but grooms them too.
MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE TOP! Learn, train and compete with the ACCELERATE Volleyball at the Oval. Develop your game in a fun, team
Friday, September 7, 2012
Richmond Review · Page W1
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The Oval and RSA Team Up on Player Development + Community Health | Taking confidence to new heights on the Climbing Wall | Oval athletes earn National spots and local recognition | 5 ways to get fit this Fall
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NICOLA ETTER, Current Richmond Olympic Oval Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence athlete
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