Community Connections

image by: Myself

One of my favorite sports (maybe even my favorite sport) is volleyball. So for me community connection I interviewed my ducks coach James Tecson. Reading his answers was definitely inspiring and inspires me to do my best when I play volleyball.

image by: Myself 

  1. How did you find your passion in volleyball?

I was introduced to volleyball by my cousin who played for many years.  I found that volleyball, out of all the sports I have played, is a “true” team sport wherein ever player relies on the function of each team mate.  I thoroughly enjoy not only the exercise & physical activity but especially the social part of the sport & team camaraderie. I have met so many wonderful friends & acquaintances from all over the world through this sport.

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image from: Wikipedia 

2. Why are you passionate about volleyball?

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Image by: Wikipedia 

I am passionate about getting to  know people & connecting them & with them.  The sport of volleyball is a great way to do this.  Our motto for Poco Volleyball (which I started as a Facebook Group in 2010 has about 928 members) is

“To build community & promote active living through the sport of volleyball for all age

  1. How did you practice your passion in volleyball? I first started attending as many adult volleyball drop ins as possible from Maple Ridge to Vancouver. I literally went to a volleyball  drop in every night of the week. Sometimes even 2x a night. I eventually approached the City of Poco and asked if I could organize a Men’s Volleyball League at one of their drop in nights & volunteered to run it. I also organized a Volleyball Training Clinic for adults and hired a Volleyball Coach to teach me and some friends to start learning the basic fundamental skills of volleyball. I also spent lots of nights watching  countless of YOutube videos from Art of Coaching Volleyball, Gold Medal Squared etc. Spent many late nights into the early mornings at Denny’s after drop in volleyball to discuss & learn volleyball. I eventually organized and put in a team at Harry Jerome for one of the Men’s Leagues there before I started running leagues for the Cities of Poco & Coquitlam.  Eventually I also realized that the best way to “learn’ something is to “teach” it and that’s why I also took up coaching club & high school & also creating train & play programs for both youth & adults.

 

  1. What obstacles have you faced to get you where you are today? The 2 largest obstacles I found in Volleyball was the cliques or groups that naturally form during drop ins and games. More skilled players were not and still are not very welcoming to beginners & intermediate players who are just learning the sport. This is the single largest hurdle with the sport. And that is what I set out to change with Poco Volleyball. I lobbied & organized to create more opportunities for drop-ins with the City of Poco & Coquitlam for competitive, recreational & also train & play programs for both youth & adults. This leads to the 2nd challenge which is gym space to create  more opportunities to play & train. I am happy to report that as the popularity of the sport grows, both the City of Poco & Coquitlam have been very supportive in providing more space not only for indoor volleyball, but for beach & grass volleyball as well.
  2. What advice would you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing? As in anything in life, if you truly want something, you have to “love it”. Our slogan for Poco Volleyball is “Love the Game”. If you love something enough, you will overcome any obstacle, face and even welcome any challenge as this helps you grow as a person. In my 10 years of playing, organizing & coaching volleyball, I found that I just love what this sports does.  It brings people together, create some lasting friendships all while being physically active .And to see players develop these same friend ships as well as their physical, mental & social skills,  What else can be better than that? : )
  3. Would you be open to further contact from Riverside Students and if so, how can someone contact you? Yes, you can contact me by email at this email address(jtecson@telus.net) or call & we can sit down over a pizza lunch at 604-250-2149.

     

One comment

  1. bbarazzuol · March 2, 2020 at 10:25 pm ·

    Thank you for submitting your Community Connection assignment for COL. We have reviewed your Edublog post, and have the following observations regarding your work:

    – Great job interviewing someone and seeking out information regarding their expertise
    – Way to incorporate your answers on your edublog

    Thank you,

    Mr. Barazzuol and Mr. Robinson
    COL Teachers