Competition is high this year for spots on the plane trip to Yellowknife for the Spike It! volleyball tournament later this fall, and it might not just be performance on the court that separates hopefuls.

SA国际影视传媒淲e try to make them work hard, talk about discipline and being aggressive on the court, lots of team play (and) making sure theySA国际影视传媒檙e coming to school,SA国际影视传媒� said Jeffrey Amos, who is coaching a large contingent of Grade 9 and 10 boys. SA国际影视传媒淎cademics is very important. They could be the best player there, but if their marks and their attendance are not there, then itSA国际影视传媒檚 not real hard to cut (them).SA国际影视传媒�

Eighteen Grade 9 and 10 boys are competing for that team, which will be whittled down likely to eight, or at most 12, if funding for that many plane tickets allows.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be really hard to cut,SA国际影视传媒� said Amos. SA国际影视传媒淚 told them at a meeting this morning that if they want to make the final cut, itSA国际影视传媒檚 all about discipline.SA国际影视传媒�

Before the Spike It! tournament in November, East Three School will be hosting the Paulou Ittungna Memorial Tourney in October.

Amos says his players have a strong foundational skill level this year, thanks in large part to the fact theySA国际影视传媒檝e been coached at the school before.

SA国际影视传媒淭hese guys are in Grade 10 now, so weSA国际影视传媒檝e had coaches involved in their life earlier,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t makes life easier. The skill development is there.SA国际影视传媒�

InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 junior girls made history last year at Spike It!, bringing home East Three Secondary SchoolSA国际影视传媒檚 first volleyball banner from the tournament.

Grade 10 student Shenise Mavis played on that team. This year, she is coaching the 12U girls after expressing interest in the role to Amos.

SA国际影视传媒淚 treat these girls with respect,SA国际影视传媒� said Mavis about her first foray into coaching. SA国际影视传媒淚 tell them if they give me respect, I give them respect. ISA国际影视传媒檓 getting the hang of it. I just hate being strict with them because I feel so mean, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 just not me. I try to be nice about it.SA国际影视传媒�

The key to another year of success is just having fun and listening closely, she said.

The big challenge for Amos now is fundraising to attend Spike It! in Yellowknife. He hopes to bring four teams to the tournament.