The Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Vipers coached by Eugene Brown, with assistance from Teresa Johnston, Eric Brown, and Kelly Running, have been a 17 and under team for the past two years, but this season will see change. Planned are a 15 and under team to get younger players interested in the sport as well as an 18 and under team allowing the core group of 17 and under girls to continue playing.
The first year the Vipers saw a lot of team building and skill development, the girls fought hard in the 17 and under category, despite mostly being a young team with only three girls needing to be in this age category.
In this past season, the Vipers again took to competing in the 17 and under category with the older players deciding not to continue with the team. After the initial building season two years ago, the girls, consisting of veterans and new players, were better prepared for the competition last season.
Though having difficulties holding onto their success at times the young athletes succeeded in bettering their standings following provincials, having gone from one of the bottom teams two years ago to middle of the pack last year, with potential to go further having defeated teams ranked in Tier One throughout the season.
They took part in both sanctioned and unsanctioned tournaments over the season as a way to gain as much experience on the court as possible. This led them to compete in a ladies tournament hosted in Arcola, both Sask. Cups, the QCVC tournament, a home tournament, and a tournament in Langenburg before finally arriving at provincials.
Fighting hard the girls came up against tough teams and didn't back down.
This year as the team enters the 18 and under category, the coaching staff anticipates an even better season with the girls coming off their grade 12 year and looking to finish strong in the club season.
This coming season will also see a practice focused 15 and under team currently being organized to begin building younger players' skills, while providing a local team for those in the southeast to play on.
Try-outs for the teams will be held on Sunday, Nov. 30. The 15 and under team will go at 10 a.m. and the 18 and under team's tryouts will begin at 1 p.m.
Overall, the coaching staff wants to help foster a love for the sport in the area and give younger players the opportunity to participate in club volleyball.
Players who have previously played for the Vipers have come from Midale, Corning, Carlyle, Arcola, Fillmore, Wawota, Redvers, and Oxbow, with young women from other communities also showing interest.
Throughout the season the Vipers look for sponsors and hold fundraisers to alleviate costs associated with the team including hotel rooms, tournament entry fees, SVA fees, and uniforms. The generous community support and assistance from businesses has been and will continue to be appreciated by the team.
If interested in learning more about the Vipers upcoming seasons including the 18 and under team or the 15 and under team contact one of the coaches or team manager at [email protected]. Also find them on Facebook, Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Saskatchewan Vipers, or Twitter @southeastvipers.
