Friendships and Fun Through Volleyball

Not long after returning to Niagara I was contacted by Kerby from Niagara Sport & Social Club and I was asked to play on a women’s competitive team with a few other players. It didn’t take long for me to make some new friends on the court. One of those has become one of my best friends for the past 7 years, and since then our circle has grown a whole lot. I now am surrounded daily by 5 of the strongest, smartest, kindest women I have ever met, and I am grateful every day that I have them to turn to, and grateful for NSSC for bringing them into my life!

I eventually went on to play in other divisions and tournaments as well, and once again made a whole other group of amazing friends, and eventually those groups became one, and time spent together is no longer just in a gym. From barbecues, to hiking, indoor and beach volleyball, we have built friendships that will last a lifetime. I no longer see them as friends, I just see family!

My experience is just like many others, Steven Stanway, a fellow NSSC player has had a fantastic time in the four years he has spent playing volleyball at NSSC. He says, “The first time I played at NSSC it was at a tournament and I remember it well! The atmosphere was so much different than anywhere else. Everyone was friends. Laughing, and joking around on and off the court. It was a great time, and I ended up joining the leagues right after that.”

Stanway has found benefits for both his body and his social life, “I think playing sports is a great way to keep active and healthy, but playing at NSSC has influenced my life in such a positive way that I never could have predicted. I’ve made so many good friends, even watched people get married after meeting there! Originally I came for the volleyball but I stayed for the great community.”

Vanessa Voth has also been greatly impacted by her experience at NSSC. “Volleyball at NSSC has influenced my life very positively, it has kept me active which has helped me not only by keeping my body healthy, it has also helped me mentally. Playing gives me an outlet from every day and work stress,” she says about NSSC’s impact on her health.

“I have found my most amazing and loyal friends at NSSC. Every day we go to volleyball, we get to know more people, get to play with new people and our social group grows. After we go out as a group for food and drinks,” Voth says about the relationships she has built from the court. After being asked if she was nervous playing with new people her first time out Voth said, “Yes, but the one thing I have learned is that playing as a team with strangers makes you friends in the end.”

It is never too late to meet new people; it is never too late to make new friends. If you have ever considered joining a sport, whether it’s recreational, intermediate, or competitive, take the leap, you never know who you might meet!