Local coach seeking community input on youth volleyball/basketball programming 

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer 

Sioux North High School’s volleyball coach Kevin Savoury is conducting an online survey to assess local interest for community-lead youth volleyball/basketball programming, to offer better sporting opportunities for children. 

Savoury said that while the programming will benefit all children, it would be aimed at elementary school students who currently have limited access to resources and facilities, particularly for volleyball and basketball. “There should be more done for the younger generation, and for them to develop the skills, or sign up for something they like or are passionate about, before they get to high school,” he added. 

Savoury encourages community members to take the survey, available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJTS3NK. The survey is open until April 23. 

Some of the programs that Savoury is hoping to offer are Spikes, Spikes on the Beach, Hoops & Spikes, and Parents & Players Learn To Play. He said, “I have a few options to choose from, and I hope to implement as many as possible, if there is a good community support for it.” 

While still in the initial stages, Savoury hopes to seek some municipal support in the future for registration, volunteers, and if required, space to conduct the programming. He added that the programs could also be integrated with the existing volleyball and basketball courts at local schools. “The programming can really be done anywhere.” 

“After the surveys are done, I will communicate with Ontario Volleyball Association’s head coordinator for grassroots programming in communities around Ontario…and it would support us by giving us equipment to use, training manuals and the training for any parent volunteers,” said Savoury. 

Savoury added that with enough community input, warm weather, and if COVID restrictions permit, an outdoor summer program could be conducted. He said, “I want to work on it immediately so that when our lockdown, or when our Emergency Break is over, we’re already working on the registration process and getting the equipment up to Sioux Lookout so that the kids can participate in a six to eight week training over the course of the summer.”