Northern Chill recruits new coaching blood

Like most sporting groups in town, the Northern Chill Volleyball Club spend a great deal of time identifying, recruiting and grooming their coaches.

In almost all respects, these individuals will form the base of the experience that is either enjoyed, or not, by the athletes under their care.

Seldom is there a glut of keen, capable and knowledgeable volunteers willing the devote the countless hours needed to groom young Sudburians in their sporting pursuits. So when just such an individual falls on your lap, it's a really, really good day.

Northern Chill Club director Michael Margarit said he's thrilled with some of the additions that will be part and parcel of the organizational coaching umbrella for 2015-2016, a group that now includes Hanover native and former NCAA Division II standout Heather Walker.

The 29-year-old Hanover, Ont. native, who was a two-sport star during her time with the Georgian Court University Lions in Lakeland, New Jersey, moved to Sudbury with her boyfriend last September, just as he began to work on his PhD at Laurentian University.

And while her on-field accomplishments were impressive during her stint south of the border, honoured as the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player of the Year in 2007, her off-field resume was equally as stellar.

Securing a post-graduate NCAA scholarship upon completing her initial degree in history, Walker followed up with two years pursuing her Masters of Education, still at Georgian Court.

During that time, she served as assistant coach with the varsity softball team, volunteered time as a volleyball coach in the area, presided over her school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and was selected as conference representative on the national SAAC.

The middle of three children in the family, Walker was initially recruited solely on the basis of her skills on the diamonds, honed in her younger years as a member of the Palmerston Marlins organization.

"Volleyball came into the mix when they (Georgian Court) found out that I played volleyball in high school," said Walker.

"While they were recruiting me, they kind of found out about it and added it into the mix."

And while there is no denying that fastball was her first love, her fondness for volleyball grew in leaps and bounds during her collegiate career, exposed to a whole different level in her role as a setter than what she had known in a small rural Ontario secondary school.

"When I went down there (to New Jersey), that's when I really learned about the game of volleyball," she said.

"Athletically, I'm better at softball, but I definitely became a way better volleyball player down there."

Returning to Canada, she maintained her interest, taking part in beach tournaments in the summer, and heading back to coach the senior girls team at her old high school during the winter.

The move to Northern Ontario wasn't about to diminish her expanding love of her second sport.

"I was looking to get involved in some type of volleyball, but I was still transitioning to what I was going to be doing work-wise," said Walker.

"When I talked to Mike (Margarit), I basically indicated that I would coach whatever he had available. I just love coaching. Ideally for me, I enjoy working with the older kids, because most of my experience is with the older kids."

The notion of a life-long setter making the move to coaching is hardly a new one. "As a setter, you have to think on your feet really quick," said Walker.

"Whether they make better coaches, I really don't know. The coaches I've had were hitters."

And while she still has plenty to learn, Walker approaches this latest challenge with the same maturity she has always displayed, a foundation that would see her named as the recipient of the Presidential Award, the Inspiration Award, and the Woman-of-the-Year Award at Georgian Court, all in 2008.

"The biggest part with me is that I try and build a rapport with the kids right away," she said.

"I don't scream and yell all the time, but if you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing, I will make sure to tell you - just not in a disrespectful way."

Long term, Walker fully expects that coaching will be part of the mix, more often than not.

"For me, right now, it's about solidifying how I want to be as a coach. It's going to be a learning process for me, always."

And like most sporting groups in town, the Northern Chill Volleyball Club are more than happy to work hand-in-hand with a truly interested coach, heading down a pathway they enjoy.