On August 12 at 8:00 p.m., the OVA invites you to join a Shared Insights conversation, led by four international-level beach and indoor athletes and moderated by beach volleyball guru, Eddie Coleman. The virtual meeting will take place via Zoom.
The panel of athletes will represent and discuss the different pathways/perspectives that attendees may relate to, taken from their experience. The panel includes:
- Ben Kerkhoff (USports pathway)
McMaster University/Beach National Team (U21 World Championships) - Kelsey Veltman (Professional indoor pathway)
Western University/Volley Millenium Brescia - Mitchell Neuert (Beach National Team pathway)
Queens University/Beach National Team (2020) - Jasmine Safar (NCAA pathway)
University of Arizona/U19 National Team (2018)
The conversation will look to revolve around the following topics:
How does one decide what pathway to choose — indoor, beach, NCAA, etc? Do you choose a school based on the academic program or volleyball program or perhaps both? What do I do if I am not happy with my program or school?
How do you balance all of your priorities and commitments (e.g. classes, homework, training, competing, personal life, etc.)? How do you know what to prioritize?
As an athlete, your performance is impacted by aches, pains and injuries. Should you push yourself through injury? Should I play the championship match if I am injured? How do you handle the pressure from a coach, parent or even teammate to continue competing despite injury? What are recovery cycles and why are they important?
The images that we create about ourselves contribute to our identity as a person, which includes our identity as an athlete. Do we see how these images and our identity creates pain in our lives? (e.g. what if I am not on the starting lineup? Do my volleyball stats define me? How do I transition out of the sport?)
To sign up for this discussion, please register at the link below.
Date: Thursday, August 12
Time: 8:00 p.m.
We look forward to having you on the call!
Ben Kerkhoff. Image: London Sports Express
Kelsey Veltman. Image: Western University
Mitchell Neuert. Image: University of Toronto
Jasmine Safar. Image: University of Arizona