The National Capitals Volleyball Club 'capped off' their inaugural season on Wednesday, June 1st with an awards banquet at Algonquin College that was truly a celebration of a successful and outstanding first season.  Beyond the on-court accomplishments, all of the athletes could proudly cherish what is truly the best aspect of being part of a team: close friendships - whether deeply-rooted or newly formed, increased self-confidence and the development and growth of character.  Gone were the 'game faces', sweaty uniforms and knee pads that were in evidence for the past nine months.  This was a night for every young athlete to shine.

NCVC president Bob O'Doherty welcomed the more than 100 athletes, parents, family and friends and laid out the programme for the evening: first food, then formalities.  So, after a scrumptious buffet of salads, Hip of beef 'au jus', vegetarian lasagna and an outrageous array of mouth-watering desserts, the moment was at hand: it was time to thank all those who had made the year a "smashing success", and to celebrate the accomplishments of our athletes.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the inspiring Sylvie Bigras, former Executive Director of Volleyball Canada, and herself a volleyball player for - OK, more than 'a few' years!  Sylvie spoke to the girls about how the sport of volleyball has literally shown her the world.  As one of Canada's representatives at 10 Olympics (she doesn't look the 91 years she claimed to be!), Sylvie's passion for the game of volleyball blossomed when she was the same age as most of the players in attendance.  Switching smoothly between French and English, and throwing in a smattering of Spanish for good measure ("Roberto!"), she assured the girls that the bonds formed at the club level will indeed hold throughout their lives.  Sylvie's infectious enthusiasm for the game could be felt by all in the room.

After Ms. Bigras's introduction, Bob O'Doherty summarized the season, highlighting the stats: all 4 teams competing at the Tier 1 level, a 70% match-winning percentage, 23 medals, 1 Ontario  Championship, a silver medal at the 15U Canadian East Open, thousands of kilometres travelled, hundreds of practice hours and highlights too numerous to mention.  Next, Bob called upon each of the 8 NCVC Directors to come forward and receive the club's thanks, as well as a bottle of the club's finest 'Cap'ernet Sauvignon, in recognition of their tremendous contribution to the building of the club as well as the smooth running of this first year.

Volunteers are the backbone of any strong organization and the CAPS can boast an amazing group.  Team parents were asked to come forward and receive their thanks and a bottle of 'Capitale' in recognition for their tireless efforts in organizing trips, accommodations, uniforms, fundraising events, and the numerous other details necessary to allow the teams to compete across the province and beyond.  This year's team managers were (left to right in photos below):

Outlining the various types of support which interested persons and companies can pledge to the National Capitals, Bob also thanked all the Sponsors and Friends of the CAPS, without whom the business of sustaining a high-level competitive club would be much more difficult.

Before relinquishing the podium to the team representatives, Bob recognized three club members for awards garnered outside the club: Tess Edwards, the recipient of the OVA Evelyn Holick Award, Cathy O'Doherty, recipient of the Ottawa Sports Awards 2004 Female Coach of the Year, and Kate Eckhardt, recipient of the Ottawa Sports Awards 2004 Volleyball Player of the Year.  Congratulations to all three for being such great ambassadors for the sport and the club!

The team presentations were up next: an opportunity to share with the club the highlights of each team's season, and also to thank the coaches for their hard work and dedication. To start, the 14U team were represented by Jamie Bullbrook, Jorie Daymond and Kristen Ritchie. Highlighting the friendships made, the fun of learning a new sport and improving through hard work, the girls shared nicknames, memorable moments and a few giggles.  Thanks went out to Coaches Diana Dowthwaite and Paulette Cournoyer-Peski for guiding them through the beginning of their competitive volleyball years. The coaches in turn praised the girls for their hard work, improved skills and dedication to teamwork. The three team awards were presented to:

The 15U Girls, represented by Sofia Sturova and Haley Wolfenden, led us through their roller coaster season. The girls responded to some ups and downs and a coaching change by rewarding themselves and their coaches with what was characterized by Coach Matt Harris as a "breakout performance" at the 15U Canadian East Open - winning the silver medal.  The team was praised for their poise and willingness to work hard to take their game to the next level.  After thanking their coaches, Matt Harris, Cathy O'Doherty and Everton Senior, three players were presented with the 15U team awards:

Next up were the 16U Girls who highlighted their season, which culminated with the 16U Canadian West Open just a week and a half earlier in Calgary.  Coach Lorraine Lussier spoke to each girl, emphasizing the positive aspects of their contribution to the team's overall success.  Also congratulated were the 8 team members who had been named to the 16U Region 6 team.  After thanking coaches Cathy O'Doherty, Lorraine Lussier, and Matt Harris, the three 16U team awards were presented to:

The 18U team saw Tess Edwards take the podium, fight back a few tears and speak directly to the players gathered together on the evening.  Integrating "the rookies" with the "Original 6" who had been together for so many seasons, Tess was generous in her praise of those girls on the bench who had toiled away at every practice and tournament, pushing the starters to be better players and supporting the team unselfishly every moment of the year.  She then spoke directly to each of her 5 "volleyball sisters" who have come to mean so much to each other over their long careers together.  Lastly, Tess spoke to the rest of the CAPS players, imploring them to do their best to set  a good example for the girls that would follow, and to cherish the fleeting seniority for which they will work so hard.  Showing the poise that is her trademark, Tess thanked the coaches, Cathy O'Doherty, Matt Harris and Newton Noor, for taking the girls beyond what they had ever dreamed they could be, and for working so hard and travelling so far to ensure them an amazing final club season.

Coach Cathy O'Doherty then rose to speak to the team.  She returned their thanks and stressed what an honour it was to have been able to coach such a tremendous group of athletes.  With words of wisdom before they venture beyond the security of each other, Cathy told them it really was time for them to "move on" and to explore their individual destinies.  From this most talented group of athletes, the team awards were presented to:

Coach Newton Noor (not only knowledgeable in the sport of volleyball) hand-crafted a beautiful clock for each award winner at the 18U level. Thank you Newton, for giving so generously of your time and talent.

As with any aspect of youth life, there comes a time when young women have to leave the world they have known and make their own way in the outside world.  The National Capitals paid their respects to the graduating "CareerCAPS" and presented them with plaques as momentos of their club careers:  Tess Edwards, Becky Lauks, Ashley Matier, Meghan O'Doherty, Heather Potts, and Jessica Wolfenden will be continuing studies and taking their volleyball skills to colleges and universities across Canada and the United States.

A special tribute to the "Original Six" was then made by President Bob O'Doherty, as he recounted the history that brought together the six girls who made up the starting line-up of the 18U team.  Though the club is only 1 year young, these girls have been playing together for 5 and 6 years, and their chemistry, both on and off the court, is remarkable.  They are true friends and teammates in every sense.  Their communication on the court is uncanny, and their ability to push each other and bring out the best in each other is something to which all others will aspire.  To Tess, Becky, Ashley, Meghan, Jess and Kate - as the saying goes -  "Thanks for the memories".

The night was drawn to a close by Bob O'Doherty, with heartfelt thanks to Sylvie Bigras, who had assured Tess that the friends she made in volleyball may be far away next year, but that they will remain close throughout the years to come.  That is the beauty of team sports - friendships forged through good times and adversity really do stand the test of time.

As the NCVC inaugural year-end multimedia presentation played, yearbooks were distributed, autographs were acquired and tears were shed. Year One in the history of the National Capitals Volleyball Club drew to a close.  But there are many, many more seasons ahead and many more volleyball memories to be made.

Thanks to ALL the athletes, coaches, directors, team parents, parents, family, friends and volunteers for making Year One such an amazing success!  Year Two is just around the corner...