Hi,
my name is Jilliane Goulet and I am a grade 12 student in Arnprior,
Ontario. My first volleyball experience was with a grade six team
while I was in grade 5.Making
that team was a huge accomplishment to me back then, and knowing
that I was as good as the big grade sixes in something, made me
love volleyball. In high school I became involved in every sport
I had time for, just because I loved playing sports, and never
intended to take any of them very seriously.
I started playing volleyball at school a lot. It turned out that
all the people I was playing with were going to try-outs for regional
volleyball teams, so I went along. I made the team, which took
me to an Ontario volleyball tournament one year and the Ontario
Summer Games the next. The more I played, the more I loved it;
I just couldn't get enough of volleyball.
The more I played, the
more I loved it; I just couldn't get enough of volleyball.
So, last summer, my highschool coach suggested that I go to the
provincial team try-outs. I had no idea whether I could even compare
to the other girls or not, but I figured it was worth taking my
chances. You'll never catch anything unless you put your bait
in the water! Try-outs were in Toronto, and I was already there
for a provincial track & field meet that week. I went straight
from long-jump to the first volleyball try-out of the weekend.
The end of the weekend found me with the biggest, proudest smile
as I was told that I made the team.
I practised with the provincial team for most of the summer, until
3 people were chosen to finish practising with the Ontario Midget
team and I was one of them. Our team placed second to Quebec in
the Finals. I learned so much in the summer from my coaches, team-mates,
and experiences.
My short-term goals are to make the provincial team this summer
and a university team next year. I have become very dedicated
to volleyball and I'm working hard to improve and reach my goals.
With so much time spent on sports, it is hard for athletes to
manage jobs, and it is very encouraging to know that there is
an organisation to help support the financial demands of women's
sports.
Thank you so much for supporting my volleyball, my passion, and
my dreams. I am honoured to have been chosen.
Jilliane Goulet
Canadian
Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical
Activity contact
us
