OSHAWA, Ont. - This summer, Durham College women's volleyball head coach Tony Clarke and veteran student-athlete Brooke Young helped bring a unique volleyball experience to life for a group of young athletes. 

The SpikeTouch program, which included players from Ontario and Alberta, culminated in a week-long trip to Calgary, where participants trained, competed, and connected with elite-level coaches and players from across the country.

At its core, SpikeTouch aims to help athletes take control of their volleyball goals and futures. By providing guidance, high-performance training, and education, the program gives athletes the tools and confidence to take the next step.

The program began with a week of intensive training at Durham College, where athletes sharpened their skills under Clarke's leadership and were mentored by college-level athletes like Young and Lauryn Langley, a local athlete currently playing at Lakehead University. The coaching team also featured La Cité Coyotes head coach David Mann, making the experience a unique collaboration between OCAA programs in a national context.

"SpikeTouch was an incredible opportunity to provide young athletes with an elite training experience alongside experienced coaches and current varsity players," said Clarke. "Collaborating with Mann brought valuable insight into the collegiate level, while student-athlete ambassadors like Brooke and Lauryn were outstanding role models. Their leadership and energy helped create an inspiring and welcoming environment."

From Oshawa to Calgary, the athletes carried that energy forward. Once in Alberta, the teams took part in inter-provincial training and competition against teams from across Western Canada, giving the players a taste of the next level. Mike Zastre touched on exactly that, remarking that his daughter Emma "had the chance to compete against athletes from across Western Canada was a memorable and enriching experience that she will carry with her for years to come."

For Young, it was rewarding to see the commitment and joy of the players. "It takes a hard-working and determined athlete to devote their summer to volleyball and training," she said. "It was really fun to see all these girls working hard to become better volleyball players."

Parents echoed that sentiment, praising the balance of intensity, mentorship, and fun. "Tony has a real passion for this game and it shows in how he communicates with the girls," said Rachel Smith, whose daughter Neena participated in the program. "He provided constructive feedback, while incorporating humour, intensity, and focus. Neena also loved and appreciated Brooke so much as a positive light, a friend, and a coach. Someone she felt comfortable around and could share anything with."

Amanda Hynes, whose daughter Emme took part, agreed. "The quality of instruction from the coaches and student-athlete coaches was fantastic. Tony's coaching style is fun and supportive, but very direct and no-nonsense in his approach to game play and skill-building. It was a fantastic balance."

Other parents described the experience as "engaging," "enriching," and "memorable." One parent, Bobby Oates, said his daughter Maya "would be extremely lucky and grateful to have them as coaches in the future." Andrea Sloan added that her daughter and teammates "won't forget this experience," and praised the entire coaching staff for their care and leadership.

Beyond technical development, SpikeTouch allowed young athletes to envision their future in the sport, one that doesn't always follow the traditional path. 

Clarke sees it as a step forward not only for athletes, but for the OCAA as a whole. "SpikeTouch helped athletes grow their skills but also sparked new friendships and connections within the volleyball community. It was an opportunity for OCAA coaches to work together and build the brand of college volleyball across provinces."

With national collaboration, inspired athletes, and a growing reputation, SpikeTouch is proving that when players, coaches, and families come together, the future of Canadian volleyball looks very bright.