Ponoka Secondary Campus is set to host the 3A Girls Provincial Volleyball Championship from Nov. 21 to 23.
"There are 12 teams that will be playing here," said Keegan McLeod, PSC's athletic director, adding the local team will kick things off right after the opening ceremonies on Thursday. Matches throughout the championships will be held at both PSC and St. Augustine School, and things will wrap up on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with the gold medal finalists.
Other students from the school's athletic programs, such as the boys' volleyball team, will be helping out on a number of fronts as well each day, from assisting with officiating to score keeping, he said.
McLeod expects from between 140 to 180 athletes to be in town for the event, along with their families and coaches. He also encourages local fans to come out and cheer the girls on.
And while it's a very exciting event for all the students taking part, it's a particular milestone for the players in Grade 12 as this year marks their last for high school volleyball. And being able to take part in provincials makes it all the more memorable, he said.
"I'm excited for our kids, staff, and community members who have never been a part of something like this. As the athletic director here, I'm also hoping it increases the interest, participation, and commitment across all of our sports," he said.
And with PSC serving students from Grade 7 to 12, it's a unique opportunity to showcase the benefits and excitement of delving into a sports program to that younger set of students as well, he added.
On other fronts, McLeod said it's been a busy and successful season at the school across other sports at PSC as well.
The Ponoka Secondary Campus Broncs Girls (1A/2A) took bronze at provincials in Grande Prairie earlier this fall. And cross country also saw several students land in provincials this year, too.
In the bigger community picture, he also pointed to the successes of the Ponoka Bantam Broncs and Peewee football teams, as many of those players attend schools across the region as well.
Plus, there has been growth right at PSC.
"This is the first year we have had a senior high boys' volleyball team since 2014," he said, adding that whatever the sport, getting involved can really enrich a young person's school experience and growth in general.
"I think it gives kids a deeper sense of purpose and belonging that they might not otherwise find in school," he said, adding staff's ability to give back to the kids and instill knowledge and training - whatever the sport is that they are pursuing - is key.
"I'm also so thankful this year for all of our alumni that we have coaching because it's an awesome experience to see kids that I have coached and taught a few years ago, and were in these programs, and now they are here to give back because they have found such a sense of value in it," he said.
"In our volleyball program this year, we had six or seven alumni coaching. It's just awesome. They are either helping, or they are the head coaches of another team. like a junior varsity team or of a junior high team," he said, adding it's a tremendous help to have these former students onboard to assist in so many ways.
"They see the value in helping to keep it all going for someone else."
As to this week's championships, McLeod emphasized it's open to anyone who would like to come out and show their support.
"A day pass is $10, and a tournament pass is $25."
To keep up to date with PSC's athletics, find Ponoka Secondary Campus on Facebook, or head to the Alberta Schools' Athletic Association's web site at www.asaa.ca.
