Momentum Volleyball coach Cory Gratton recently received the Sask Volleyball Development Coach of the Year for 13-15U age group teams. Supplied Photo
The ball keeps bouncing the right way for Momentum Volleyball Club coach Cory Gratton and the players on his two girls’ teams.Â
Gratton is the recipient of the Sask Volleyball Development Coach of the Year for 13-15U age group teams.
“There’s over 100 coaches in those age groups, so it’s quite an honour,” said Gratton prior to the award ceremony held in Saskatoon this past Saturday.
“There’s a lot of good coaches in the province that I admire and a lot of coaches that have won that I admire. To be on that list really means a lot.”
One of his players, Kenzie McGillivray won the annual 13U Spirit of the Game Award.Â
“It’s a really big deal,” said Gratton, noting it was for her conduct throughout the season. “I’m very happy for her. She’s very deserving.”Â
Gratton teaches at Avery Outreach School and coaches Momentum on a volunteer basis.
However, Jason Neville director of education with the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD), caught wind of Gratton’s volleyball award and was glad to add a congratulatory remark in an email.
“It is nice to join in celebration; when LPSD staff members are recognized for their roles in our community,” said Neville.
With the season over, Gratton is now coaching U19 women’s Team Saskatchewan North American Indigenous team that will compete in Halifax in July.
Two of the players are from the Lloydminster area and will be practicing with the team at the Servus Sports Centre soon.
“I was involved in 2017 when the games were in Toronto and we won silver there,” said Gratton. “The hope is to build on that. Aside from that, there are camps coming up. It’s always busy.”
Gratton coached two 13U teams this year that ended the season with a combined 66-9 win/loss record, along with six gold, five silver and two bronze medals in tournament play.
“At the Sask Cup 2 in Regina that had 35 teams, my two groups played each other in the final,” said Gratton.
The two Momentum teams finished fourth and fifth at provincials, too.
“This group set multiple milestones for volleyball in our community which won’t easily be surpassed,” said Gratton.
A club record of six girls is moving to provincial tryouts with Sask Team. They are Torren Wood, Brooke Wicks, Dalyn Steinhauer, Keyonna Zacharias, Hailey Krankowsky and Tayla Zacharias.
“How great for our club to have six players this year. There’s nine girls in total that are involved in the high-performance program. That’s the most ever girls that we’ve sent,” said Gratton.
“It’s really showing that volleyball in our area is not only growing but the quality of volleyball is getting better as well.”
