In Cooperation with Volleyball Canada.

Canadian Women's National Team Tryouts

This year is a year for financial restraint if we want to operate all our women's programs. We will continue to operate the "A", "B", Junior and Youth Programs but all will be charged to operate with tough budgetary restrictions.

At this date we can say that the "A" Team Program will end after the World Championships (early September) with the expectation to come together in May of 2003 and stay together for the entire year. The reason for this is that the qualifications tournaments for the Olympic Games will occur in October, 2003 and in January, 2004. Our team is a young team and needs the international playing and training experience, so staying together will greatly assist any chance for our success.

>From the Selection Camp in May, 12-16 athletes will be selected for the Senior "A" Team, some of which may train with the "B" program in May-June. Athletes will be training until the World Championship process ends, around early to mid September. In spite of the financial difficulties I am pleased with the training and competitive program that we will offer our athletes to prepare for the World Championships. Making the traveling roster for this year's team will be very competitive.

The "B" Program for 2002 will take place, again with financial restraints, in May and June for our athletes. It is felt that training during this period will give a competitive phase to this program which has not been offered in other years.  Our "B" team will play Japan, Puerto Rico, and Canada "A" in a Pre-Canada Cup tournament before the main Canada Cup with Puerto Rico, Japan and Australia. Naoki Miyashita will train the "B" team athletes during the May and June period.

The "B" Team athletes (8-10 will be selected) will train from the May Selection Camp until the end of Canada Cup on June 17th. Our "B" athletes are eligible for a Sport Canada Card which will give the selected athletes tuition (if attending a Canadian educational institution + $1500). In order to receive this funding from Sport Canada our athletes have to involve themselves in a minimum of 30 days of training.

Any athletes selected for the "B" team will have to pay for their own food costs, after the selection camp period and until July 17th. Team Canada will cover the accommodation costs at residence or the equivalent in one of the NT apartments. There are cooking facilities available in residence which will help to alleviate these costs, if you should decide to do your own cooking.

We understand that these dates will affect our Canadians who are attending US based schools. It is hoped that these athletes would find a solution of, at least attending, the selection camp, to get identified and gain a "foot in the door" for the 2003 National Team and beyond. Some of our older athletes on the "A" Team may decide not to take part in the final Olympic process and 12-14 athletes will be asked to stay for the entire year of 2003-2004. For those that can stay and train for the "B" training in May and June of 2002, it would greatly assist their chance for selection in 2003. In order to maximize gaining international competition and training involvement in the "B" training program is important.

PHASE 1    May 1 - 10     Pre Camp
This camp is for all those "A" athletes who were carded during the 2001 Year and who played with CIAU teams + those that did not play overseas. Training will be 1 x per day + some physical training with Kari. This should compliment the physical training that you are doing to prepare for the summer. Any athletes who feel they are going to have difficulties with this to contact the coach. However, I am considering this a compulsory camp unless there are extenuating circumstances.

I will contact those athletes that are overseas and coordinate when they are ready to come in for training. The purpose of this camp is to have athletes ready for the pounding of selection camp and volleyball.

Athletes who were "A Team" carded will receive CAAP monies for May to assist them in the cost of this training. Greg is looking at cheap accommodation, residence, apartments, etc.. These accommodation costs + meals will be organized and financed by the athletes for the Pre-Camp period.

Athletes who were "B Team" carded can come to this camp but costs will have to be covered by them. We will assist in finding accommodation, either at residence or in one of the team apartments.

I can make it open to other athletes. If other athletes want to come in, they must contact me first.

PHASE II   May 13 - 17    Selection Camp - Winnipeg "A" & "B" Teams
I expect about 20 athletes for the "A Team" try out and about the same for the "B Team" tryout. All athletes will be considered for the "A" program during the first two days. Then athletes will be divided into the "A" and "B" programs and final selection. After this decisions will be made, on a daily basis, regarding the athletes and their involvement for 2002.

Team Canada will cover the airfare of all 2001 (A & B, not Junior) carded athletes who are coming in for the Pre-Camp or the Selection Camp. This will bring the athletes in for training (from a Canadian destination). Greg is the contact to book your ticket (gregp@teamcanadavolleyball.mb.ca). There is NO OTHER OPTION  you cannot book your ticket yourself, unless approved by Greg.

All new athletes, coming to the selection camp, will pay their own travel costs. If these athletes make the "A Team" they will be reimbursed. New athletes making the "B Team" will not have their airfare reimbursed. However, for next year year's selection camp they will have their travel paid to attend the camp. Athletes coming for the camp should plan to arrive on Sunday the 12th and depart on the morning of the 18th. If you are selected then there will be assistance to change your tickets if you book your ticket with:
Ruth Weibe  Bonaventure Travel
Telephone 1-888-550-8998 or 1-204-488-6653 email  ruth.bontrav@galileo.ca.
We would suggest that all athletes attending camp use Ruth unless they are flying on points or have another agency which will assist them if changes are needed.

Fees for Selection Camp:   
- No cost for carded "2001 A Team" athletes
- Cost for "2001 B Team" athletes  - $100. This covers room and board in the residence. If no residence is needed then there is only a $50 cost.
- Cost for new athletes (for both programs) is $250 for the Selection Camp. This covers room and board in residence. If athletes can find their own residence in Winnipeg during the camp and cover their own food, then the cost for attending the camp is $100.

PHASE III    Competition Phase
May 20 - 30 - Training in Winnipeg
May 30 - June 7 - Training in Halifax with Japan
June 8-11 - Pre-Canada Cup with "B" Team in Winnipeg
June 13-16 - Canada Cup Winnipeg (JPN, AUS, PUR)
June 18  21 - Training with Australia
June 22 - July 1 - Leave for America's Cup in Tijuana, Mex.  
July 1-7 - Argentina in Winnipeg
July 8 - 14 - Break

PHASE IV    World Championship Preparation
July 15 - 31 - Training in Winnipeg
Aug 1 - 10 - France in Canada (TBD)
Aug 8-10 - NTCC in Winnipeg
Aug 16-18 - Alumni Party in Winnipeg

PHASE V    World Championships
Aug 20-22 - Leave for Pre World Training in the Czech Republic
Aug 28 - Arrive in Schwerin
Aug 30 - Vs Egypt
Aug 31 - Vs Cuba
Sept 1 - Vs Korea
Sept 2 - Vs Romania
Sept 3 - Vs Netherlands
Sept 4 - 8 - (2nd round). Top 3 make it to the next round.
Sept 9 -14 - 3rd Round Top 8
Sept 15 - Training Finished for the year

Christmas camp??

DEADLINE FOR REPLY
I would like to know your intention to commit to the Program, beginning with the Pre- Camp and/or Selection Camp by April 1, 2002. Please contact me with your thoughts as soon as you are able.

FUTURE
The next few years will be important for Canada and its athletes. Your commitment now and for the future of this quadrennial is essential. I hope that you will consider this thought in your long-term goal setting and your decision to be part of Canada's National Team program .It begins with trying to be a part of these programs this summer. Being an international volleyball athlete will take many years of hard work and very few make it of their first try. Gaining experience on the "B" or "A" programs is the key to becoming an internationally recognized athlete. We feel our women's program is on the right course to develop both you, as an "athlete", and you, as a "person". Together we can have international successes if we decide to work hard at what we think is our passion and dream!  Good luck and I look forward to seeing your smiling faces this May. All the best,

Lorne

Questions:
Lorne Sawula
Director of Women's Programs
Head National Women's Team Coach
145-52313 RR 232
Sherwood Park, Ab  T8B 1B7   Canada
Tel: 1-780-417-7094    Fax: 1-780-417-7096
E-mail: lsawula@compusmart.ab.ca

After April 15, 2002
Team Canada Volleyball Center
C/o University of Manitoba
158 Frank Kennedy
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Tel:  204474-7203    Fax: 204-474-7672