A championship banner will be raised at Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig, after the senior girls volleyball team took home the local championship last week.
The Walpole Island Eagles battled the Grade 7/8 team from Wallaceburg District Secondary School in the championship game on Wednesday, December 14 at the Walpole Island school.
After splitting the first two games of the final round, it was the Eagles winning the third game and the championship.
“They were just like ‘you’ve got to yell at us coach’, you have to get us going,” head coach Cindy Hopkins told the Sydenham Current.
“That’s what I did and we got things going. They improved so much from when we first started out, they came a long way. They learned everything, the tips, the blocking and they came together. There was only six of them and they’re all Grade 8 students. They did an amazing job. Easy to coach, they listened well, they did what we expected them to do and brought the ‘ship home.”
Hopkins said a lot of parents and fans filled the gymnasium for the game.
“We were full to the max,” she said.
“We’re so proud of them. They represented very well.”
Hopkins said she has been working hard at the school in an effort to revamp the sports program.
“Last year we just had the one girls volleyball team and not too many teams after that for much of anything,” she said.
“So we started it up last year, we even had basketball. This year we put up sign up sheets and it was such an overwhelming response, it was filled up to the max. We made two teams for the girls this year, a senior and a junior team. We even had a boys team that came out.”
Hopkins added” “They all did amazing, we are so proud of these kids. They are awesome, easy to work with, they love. Getting that feedback with them, teaching them that you can do it, just put your mind to it. You guys have got this. They have come so far, we are so proud.”
Hopkins said they have been busy implementing an athletic department as part of their revamp as well.
Currently they have seven dedicated volunteers, who help out with each team as the school.
“This is something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time to come and work with the kids, give back to the kids and be there for them,” she said. “It’s working, I love it.”
Hopkins said the next sport getting underway at the school will be basketball.
“We’re going to have another overwhelming response. Even from the little one’s. So we’re looking at doing intramurals with them.”
Hopkins mentioned Karen Williams, who is a teacher at the school, has been instrumental over the past several years trying to keep sports going at the school over the years.
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
