About Us
The Bathurst Volleyball Club started Volleyball Camps in 1985 -- half a day volleyball and half a day basketball. It was common to have 30 to 50 players in one gymnasium. Campers received 3 hrs of instruction and game time per day (a total of 15 hrs). Eventually, the Camp became the Phantoms Volleyball camp as the Coach's organizing and working the Camp coached at Bathurst High School.
TODAY'S Phantoms Volleyball Camp has over 150 Campers in 3 Gymnasiums participating in 2 Skill sessions and evening Matches 4 days of the week with Playoffs in the morning of the 5th day. Campers receive 5 1/2 hrs of instruction per day for 4 days (22 hours per week) and 9 hours of playing time OR a total of 31 hours of Coach/Player interaction.
There is a ratio of 1 Coach for7- 9 Campers in each Gymnasium. Each Gymnasium has 3 Courts with Net Heights varying depending upon the Level of the Campers. Coaches from throughout New Brunswick, but mostly from the North Shore, bring a wealth of coaching experience to each Gymnasium while introducing some graduating students/players into the ranks of Coaching as well.
There are 3 Daily Awards given to Campers. In addition, Coaches will provide Evaluation Certificates and a Camp T-shirt. There are also recognition Awards for those Campers who excel throughout the week of the Camp.
All volleyball related Skills are taught at the various Levels (Junior Level 1; Intermediate Level 2; Senior Level 3) -- Serving; Attacking; Passing; Defense; Blocking; Movement; Team Play. Setting and Libero focus occurs more in the Senior Level/Division.
Skills
3 Levels -- All Skills are taught but with various degrees of difficulty. We have at least 6 Coaches per Level at each school with 3 courts which ensures there is 1 coach per team of 7 to 10 players for drills and Team Play
There is TEAM PLAY each evening where parents and friends are invited to come and watch the progress of the players and their designated teams.
LEVEL 1 / JUNOR/DEVELOPMENTAL = Underhand Serves to begin and Overhand introduced (2.10 meter Net)
LEVEL 2 / INTERMEDIATE = Overhand Serving and Jump Float Serve Introduced (2.15 meter Net)
LEVEL 3 / SENIOR = Overhand / Jump Float / Jump Serve + placement of the Serve (2.24 meter Net)
Each of the Skills are broken down into similar manageable components at each level -- Attacking, Blocking, Passing, Digging and Team Play
Divisions
TRIPLE BALL - Grade 5 level players, many with little experience LEVEL 1 - JUNIOR / DEVELOPMENT -- "usually" the youngest and least experienced players Grade 5 to 7
LEVEL 2 - INTERMEDIATE -- "usually" grades 7 to 9
LEVEL 3 - SENIOR -- "usually" will have the bigger, better, stronger skilled players but the Camp Director places athletes based on references, suggestions, skill sets from evaluation days and previous experiences
Our Coaches
As many as 18 Coach Instructors per Camp -- mostly teachers or Volleyball players who bring enthusiasm, experience and a genuine interest in advancing the Sport of Volleyball. Coaches/Instructors return year after year and teach/coach at different levels or some remain at the same Level / Division to provide consistency year after year
JUNIOR CAMP Director -- Patti Jo Cormier returns for her 26 th year
INTERMEDIATE CAMP Director -- John Roussy returns for his 12th year
SENIOR CAMP Director -- Pat McLaughlin returns for his 18th year
Organizer Don McKay has been offering PHANTOMS VOLLEYBALL CAMPS since 1985 and has been involved with Coaching Volleyball for 49 years. He just retired after 11 years as St. Thomas University Women's Volleyball Head Coach after many years coaching at Hartland & Bathurst High Schools