Douglas – Some of the best high school boy’s volleyball players from across Renfrew County will be showcasing their skills at the 2022 Volleyball All-Star Games being hosted at Opeongo High School (OHS) the second weekend in December
The Junior Boys game goes Saturday, December 10 at 1 p.m. followed by the Senior Boys game on Sunday, also at 1 p.m.
The event is being co-ordinated by OHS alumni Dave Dobson and features an activity-filled agenda for both the juniors and senior athletes on their respective days.
“It involves the top 24 junior and senior players from the Valley,” he explained. “Each school gets to send two kids, with the schools who finished atop their division sending three players.
“The coaches at each school select the players,” he added.
Mr. Dobson sent the registration form out November 24 and had already received 24 names as of the following day.
“Everybody seems really excited about it,” he remarked.
In addition, the coaches from the top teams are being recruited to coach the All-Star squads.
The North Team includes two players from Bishop Smith Catholic High in Pembroke, Valour High School in Petawawa, Fellowes High School in Pembroke, McKenzie Community School in Deep River, Jeanne Lajoie and L’Equinoxe in Pembroke. Team South includes three players from both St. Joseph’s Catholic High in Renfrew and Opeongo, and two players each from Arnprior District High School, Renfrew Collegiate Institute and Madawaska Valley High School in Barry’s Bay. The day includes a hot lunch for the participants.
The junior players from OHS are Angus Dick, Rogan Coulas and Cooper Caldwell, while the senior representatives are Jack Egan, Emerson Davis and Aaron Coulas.
Mr. Dobson has also arranged for some university and college coaches to attend to assist with the one-and-a-half hour practice, the skills competition, the warm-ups and the actual game that is the best-of-five sets each day.
The participants will be marched in each day by a bagpiper and Colour Guard 10 minutes prior to the start of the games to add to the event. In previous years, the All-Star showcase has been held at Valour High School in Petawawa, St. Joseph’s Catholic High in Renfrew, Renfrew Collegiate Institute and Fellowes High School in Pembroke.
“This will be the first time it’s running at Opeongo,”Mr. Dobson noted.
He said Renfrew County high schools had the strongest showing ever this year at the Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association boys championships, with St. Joe’s winning the Single A Junior Boys title, McKenzie winning the Senior Boys Single A title, and Bishop Smith won silver in the Single A junior class.
The public is invited to attend and there is no admission cost. The official entry begins at 12:50 each day with play starting at 1 p.m.
