Friday, May 26th, 2006 - The major goals of the NCVC in its second year of operations were to continue to grow its programs and provide opportunities for its players and teams to excel on a Provincial and National basis.  To this end, the NCVC's competitive program for the 2005-2006 indoor volleyball season was comprised of one team in each of the following age categories, for girls only:

        * 18 & Under (born in 1988 or later)

        * 16 & Under (born in 1990 or later)

        * 15 & Under (born in 1991 or later)

        * 14 & Under (born in 1992 or later)

As is now CAPS' custom, the 2005-2006 season kicked-off with tryouts starting the second weekend of September 2005 at St. Pius X High School, and ended with the 16U CAPS competing at the 16 & Under Canadian West Open at the Olympic Oval on the campus of the University of Calgary from May 20-22, 2006.  Nine months, thousands of kilometres, and many billets and hotels later, the second season of the NCVC can be characterized as another great success.

Starting with tryouts in September, word had obviously spread in the Ottawa area that the NCVC was an exciting, competitive club looking for talented players.  The numbers of girls hoping to grab a spot on one of the four CAPS teams increased significantly from the inaugural season, with over 90 girls trying out compared to around 70 girls the year before.  It was clear from the beginning that the quantity and quality of the athletes striving to become CAPS had increased noticeably.  One of the reasons for this increase was the impact of the dozen CAPSClinics that were conducted free of charge by CAPS coaches and players in local senior elementary and high schools.

Even though the on-court performance of CAPS teams was outstanding in the club's inaugural season, the accomplishments of CAPS teams in the 2005-2006 season were even greater.  Again, all four CAPS team qualified for Tier 1 competition, a level reserved for only the top 16 teams in Ontario in each respective age category.  The 15U and 16U teams also qualified for Tier 1 competition in the next oldest age division.

The club's showcase 18U team had another tremendous season.  Following in the footsteps of last year's Provincial Champions, the girls finished with a record of 51 wins and 18 losses, including an impressive 3rd place finish at the 18U Tier 1 Ontario Championships this past April and a 5th place finish at the 18U Canadian Open Championships in Abbottsford, BC.  At that event, the girls finished up with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses.  Two of their big wins were over the bronze medal winning team (FVVC Blitz) and last year's champions (Winnipeg Big Sand), while their only two losses were to the eventual gold and silver medal teams (Manitoba Bisons and Club West Rage).  Overall, the 18U CAPS won medals in 6 of their 11 tournaments, including 4 gold.

Our other teams also produced great results, improving on performances from 2005.  The 16U CAPS flirted with a medal at the 16U Tier 1 Ontario Championships, before settling for 5th place.  In addition, they battled to 13th at the 17U Tier 1 Ontario Championships, and 18th at the 16U Canadian West Open.  The 15U CAPS, who had great performances throughout the season, finished just out of the medals in fourth place at their 15U Tier 1 Ontario Championships.  They finished a strong 11th playing up at the 16U Tier 1 Ontario Championships and capped off their season by finishing 5th at the recently completed 15U Canadian East Open in Moncton, NB.  Last but not least, our up-and-coming 14U CAPS, who showed a lot of promise throughout the season, finished 11th at their 14U Tier 1 Ontario Championships.

The success of these teams is no accident.  The NCVC continues to attract the best volleyball players in the Ottawa area by providing  the highest quality programs and resources to facilitate their achievements on the court.  In this regard, on behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone associated with the NCVC, I want to congratulate all of the girls, not only on their results, but also for the way they represented the club on and off the court.  We constantly receive positive feedback from other players, coaches and parents from across Ontario and Canada, not only on the performance of our teams, but also on their qualities of fair play and sportsmanship.

I also want to recognize the achievements of two of our 18U teammates, Stephanie McGuinty and Kate Eckhardt.  Congratulations to Stephanie for being chosen to play on Canada's Youth National Team this past summer.  Secondly, congratulations to Kate who was chosen to represent the eventual champions, Ontario, at the Canada Summer Games this past August.  Kate and her partner Kacie MacTavish have also been chosen to represent Canada at the U19 World Beach Championships, September 5-10, 2006 in Bermuda.  Great work ladies!

Off the court, the NCVC built on its successes from Year One.  Free CAPSClinics continued in local senior elementary and high schools, promoting the sport and the club.  The second annual CAPS Coaches Clinic last fall was well attended once again.  Finally, for five consecutive Wednesday nights in February and March, the CAPS hosted their first annual FUNdamentals Camp at St. Paul's High School.  Thirty girls were introduced to the skills, drills and strategies of the game, movement, communication, teamwork and sportsmanship principles.

The major goals of the NCVC in its third year of operations will be to continue to grow its programs and provide opportunities for its players and teams to excel on a Provincial and National basis.  To this end, the Club has become more active in contributing to volleyball programs at the regional, provincial and national levels.  I accepted the appointment as Region 6 President during 2005-2006, which allowed me to represent Region 6 at the Board of Directors level of the Ontario Volleyball Association.  Our Director of Finance, Denis L'Heureux, was elected Treasurer of Region 6, which gave the NCVC another voice at the regional level.  Cathy O'Doherty, Director of Volleyball Programs, was invited to participate in a Volleyball Canada High Performance Planning Session.   Coach Matt Harris was appointed Chair of the Athletes Development Program (ADP) for Region 6 and will also be the Head Coach of the Region 6 Girls Team at the upcoming 2006 Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa.

In closing, I want to express my best wishes to our two graduating players, Kate Eckhardt and Melissa Zéroual, who have been great roles models for our younger athletes and set a tremendous example of what can be achieved with hard work, determination and passion for the sport.  You have been the real leaders of the NCVC.  I want to thank you for everything you have done and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.  Our Alumni are an important part of our club, and we look forward to seeing the two of you back in Ottawa for the Second Annual CAPS Alumni Night scrimmage and get-together just prior to the 2006 Christmas holidays.

For everyone else, we'll see you again in September, 2006 for Year Three.

613... NC!