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Saturday, September 9, 2023

Making the Cut Camps Update and Fall Sessions

 

Making the Cut Camps Update and Fall Sessions

Hello everyone,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. As we are right in the middle of the Making the Cut Camps, our days have been packed with 12 hours of action, skill-building, and fun! Due to this, I want to extend my apologies for any delays in email responses. The quickest way to get in touch is still via email; my aim is to respond within 12 hours. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and texting aren't checked as frequently.

Email Us

Making the Cut Camps: Outdoor and Indoor Updates

Our Outdoor Making the Cut camp faced some air quality challenges, so we're transitioning indoors. This does mean the cost of gym rental will be factored into camp pricing.

The first Indoor Making the Cut Camp was held from August 21-24, split into two groups: Juniors and Seniors. With 51 athletes in Juniors and 54 in Seniors, we almost reached full capacity.

Why It's Our Premier Camp:  Coach-to-Athlete Ratio

One key feature of Making the Cut is our excellent 5:1 athlete-to-coach ratio. The quality of our coaches earns us high praise, making this camp an unforgettable experience for all participants.  Check out all the yellow shirts!

Exciting Fall Sessions Starting in September

Our fall sessions are just around the corner and will be conducted by our talented academy coaches.

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: Jump and Agility Training
  • Fridays: Open Game Night
  • Sundays:
    • Beginner Foundations (Grades 4-6)
    • Beginner Serving Session
    • Elementary Foundation (Grades 4-9)
  • Mondays: Serving Night
    • Basic Serving
    • Advanced Serving
  • Tuesdays: Spiking and First Contact
  • Wednesdays: Volleyball Skill Development
  • Thursdays: Underhand Passing

Whether you are just starting out or looking to hone specific skills, we have a session that's just right for you!

Register

What's Next?

We will be unveiling our sessions for next year in November. So, stay tuned for updates and, in the meantime, come join us in the fall sessions.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We can't wait to see you on the court!

September Volleyball Training Sessions

 

September Volleyball Training Sessions

🏆 Making the Cut Camps Success 🏆

We're thrilled to announce the massive success of our 'Making the Cut Camps'. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it a memorable experience. Your passion drives us!

📣 Upcoming Sessions 📣

🌐 Private Lessons 🌐 Elevate your game with individual attention. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, our coaches are ready to refine your skills.

🏋️ Jump and Agility Training

Every Tuesday & Thursday – Boost your agility, leap, and fitness. 

Check Details

🎉 Open Gym Night – Fridays 🎉

 Come, play, and socialize. No agenda – just pure volleyball fun!

Join the Fun

🏐 Sundays Special 🏐 

🎉Sunday Special 🎉 

  1. Beginners Foundation: Master the basics!
  2. Beginners Serving: Ace that serve!
  3. Elementary Foundations: Building strong volleyball foundations for the young ones.
View Sunday Sessions

Monday Mastery

Monday Mastery

  1. Advanced Serving: For those ready to serve their best game.
  2. Basic Serving: Your gateway to serving success
Dive into Monday Sessions

✨ Tuesday's Tactical Training ✨

✨ Tuesday's Tactical Training ✨

  1. Volleyball Spiking Mastery: Sharpen your hitting techniques.
  2. First Contact Development: Elevate your initial play skill
Explore Tuesday Offerings

🎈 Wednesday Wisdom with Dr. Darren Cannell 🎈

  1. Boost specific skills crucial in volleyball, from serving to dynamic defense.
Reserve your Spot

⚡ Passing Excellence on Thursdays ⚡

⚡ Passing Excellence on Thursdays ⚡

  1. Intermediate Passing Academy: Elevate your passing game.
  2. Advanced Passing Academy: Master the art of precise passing. 
Join Thursday Academies

📌 Location for All Sessions: Holy Family School

Thank you for being a part of the Canadian Elite Academy family. Let's make September an incredible month of learning, playing, and growing together!

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Should My Child Progress to a Higher Level or Age Group in Sports?

 



August 26, 2022

I recently received an inquiry from a parent of an athlete regarding the ongoing Camp at our Academy.

"Is it possible for my child to transition to a higher group in the camp? Can the group she's currently in be modified to increase its competitiveness? The current gameplay does not align with her usual standards."

This concern echoes a common sentiment among parents and athletes. The prevailing notion is that playing in an older age bracket accelerates an athlete's growth and overall skill development due to its heightened intensity. However, it's essential to underscore that the coach should initiate the decision to move a player to a different tier or age group rather than parents or athletes. Here's my perspective on this topic:

In the Canadian amateur sports landscape, we often observe an athlete's tendency to constantly seek a higher tier until they find themselves at the lower end of skill within a group. Younger players frequently aspire to be part of superior teams, hoping this exposure will hone their talents. However, I firmly believe that young athletes blossom not merely by playing alongside better players but by uplifting and enhancing the skills of their teammates. A top-tier player shoulders the responsibility of leadership, steering the game's tempo and setting the standard of gameplay.

For the child in question, continuously advancing through groups might eventually position her as the least skilled player, slowing down the game's pace. The pertinent question here is: How would this potential upgrade benefit the entire camp or club?

If she's accustomed to a rigorous gameplay rhythm, the onus is on her to elevate her current group's standard. Should she lack the leadership or proficiency to enhance her team's performance, then perhaps she isn't ready for an advanced tier. It seems she yearns for more skilled players to set the game's tone, allowing her to merely participate at that level.

If she genuinely craves a more dynamic gameplay, I urge her to take the initiative and create that environment.

Elevating to a superior level can often be a double-edged sword. While it exposes players to heightened competition, it might also relegate them to the sidelines due to their relative skill set in the new group. Some of the most promising athletes never truly cultivate leadership attributes because they're constantly sandwiched in the middle tiers of higher-level teams.

Of course, generalizations have their limitations. For certain athletes, progressing to an elevated level could indeed be the catalyst for their growth. When a coach identifies such potential, in collaboration with the parents and athlete, a transition might be the right path forward.

Dr. Darren Cannell




ChatGPT's thoughts on this issue.

Navigating Athletic Progression: Moving Up in Age and Skill Levels

When parents witness their child excelling in a particular sport, a common question is: "Should my child advance to a higher level or age group?" It's an understandable question, driven by the desire to nurture the child's potential to the fullest. However, several nuances need to be considered.

1. Skill vs. Maturity: 

While a young athlete may possess the technical skills to compete at a higher level, we must remember that sports aren't solely about physical capability. Emotional and mental maturity plays a crucial role. Engaging with older athletes can sometimes be daunting and may introduce pressures that younger athletes aren't prepared for.

2. Leadership and Team Dynamics: 

Sports are as much about individual prowess as they are about teamwork. Being a standout player in a current age group offers opportunities for leadership and understanding how to elevate team dynamics. There's immense value in learning how to guide and uplift peers, a skill that might be sidelined if one is constantly in the shadow of older, more experienced players.

3. Growth and Consistency: 

Constantly being at the top isn't necessarily the best vantage point for growth. Encountering challenges, facing failures, and bouncing back are essential aspects of an athlete's journey. If athletes continually seek levels where they're among the less experienced, they might miss out on these growth opportunities.

4. Coach's Insight

Coaches interact with athletes regularly and can gauge their skills, adaptability, mental resilience, and team dynamics. Their recommendation about moving up a level should be given significant weight, as it comes from a place of expertise and firsthand observation.

5. Playing Time and Exposure:

In a higher age group, there's a possibility that the athlete might get less playing time. Being a star player in a current age group ensures more gameplay, which might be more beneficial than sporadic play in an advanced group.

In conclusion, while the allure of advanced play levels is evident, the decision should be holistic, factoring in the athlete's overall well-being, growth prospects, and long-term aspirations. It's essential to foster an environment where the athlete feels challenged yet not overwhelmed, ensuring a balance between skill enhancement and personal development.






 

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Upcoming Events and Highlights

 

📌 Upcoming Events & Highlights

1. Making the Cut Camps Kick Off! 🎉 Starting Monday, August 14th, we're diving into the exciting first of our "Making the Cut Camps". Here are some exciting stats to pump you up:

  • 248 athletes will be attending over three camp weeks.
  • Including our beach 2's training athletes and jump training, we've trained a whopping 413 athletes this summer!
  • Hurry! A few spots are still available in our August 14 - 17th Outdoor Camp and August 21-24th Senior High School Camp. Get yours now!
Register

2. A September Surprise: Volleyball Skills Boost with Dr. Darren Cannell 🌟

🌟Mystery solved! We're thrilled to unveil our special Wednesday sessions for September.

📆 Dates: Every Wednesday - September 13, 20, & 27 from 6-8 pm

📍 Location: Holy Family School

Dive into the details:

  • Personalized Training Approach for all - from novices to veterans.
  • Dual Skill Focus on skills like serving, passing, setting, and more!
  • And the cherry on top? Expert Guidance from Dr. Darren Cannell himself!

[🔗 Limited Slots! Secure your spot in this game-changing experience below.]

Limited Slots

3. More Sessions to Look Forward To! 🏐

Ensure you don't miss out on our array of sessions:

  • Advanced Serving Mastery Session
  • Basic Serving Mastery Session
  • Open Gym Night!
  • Intermediate Passing Academy
  • Beginner Serving Mastery Session
  • Volleyball Foundation Session
  • Jump and Agility Mastery Session
  • Volleyball Spiking Mastery Session

Special Offer: Register for sessions from September to December and snag a stylish Academy T-shirt for free!

Register

💌 Final Serve

As The Academy grows, we invite you to join our journey. Every spike, pass, and serve matters. Your passion and dedication drive us forward, and we'll take the volleyball community to even greater heights. See you on the court!

Stay tuned for more updates, and until next week, keep serving those aces!

[🔗 Sign Up for Sessions Below]

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