Tracy Knudsen and Renee Michiels are new Co-Presidents of the Scorpions Volleyball Club

Tracy Knudsen and Renee Michiels - Co-Presidents Scorpions Volleyball Club

I am excited to announce that Tracy Knudsen and Renee Michiels have agreed to take on the role of Co-Presidents as I have decided to step down after 11 yrs.

I will take on the role of Past President and will volunteer to be the indoor/outdoor development program coordinator. I will also do promotional work and will help out with our Beach and Grass Volleyball Programs.

Coach Tracy and Coach Renee are no strangers to the club has they have been deeply involved in the club since they arrived as Coaches and sitting on our Board of Directors.

The importance of succession planning was important to me so the club could continue to flourish. I do believe that we have in place two  strong co-presidents, a Board of Directors and Coaches that believe in community based volleyball.

The pandemic has and will continue to affect us. It has made us rethink how we live our lives. The club must continue to redefine how we can move forward safely to provide volleyball for the youth of our community.

I am thankful for all the board members, coaches, volunteers, players, parents  past and present that allowed me to fulfill my dream of starting a youth volleyball club in Cambridge. What we have accomplished is significant.

• From 1 team in 2010 to 20 competitive indoor teams in 2021.
• From 38 youth in 2010 to 400 in 2018 youth in our indoor development programs
• Starting up our indoor and beach volleyball programs in Ayr Ontario under the guidance of Coach Renee and Coach Pam.
• From 6 competitive beach duos in 2011 to 35 duos in 2021 and 250 youth in our beach development program.
• Building 3 beach courts at Shade’s Mills and North Dumfries Community Centre Ayr.
• Restoring 12 beach courts with proper drainage and Olympic quality sand at Emerald Lake.
• Hosting the largest number of invitational competitive beach tournaments in Ontario.
• Hosting beach tournaments in Sauble Beach, Wasaga Beach and our current home for the last 6 years Grand Bend.

A special shout out to Tammy Ball and Steve Furnace. You have been with me since 2010 and it is truly appreciated.

I must thank my wife Debra and children Dylan and Katie who have allowed me to dedicate most of my free time since 2010 to running the club.

So a GIANT thank you to the COACHES that stepped forward to help. We could not do it without you!

I look forward to see where the club goes under Tracy and Renee’s excellent guidance.

Paul Langan