Interview with July's Community Champion of the Month - Lisa Vroom

You've been coaching volleyball for over 5 years, what made you want to start coaching? Did/do you play volleyball yourself?

I have actually been a volunteer coach at Fort McMurray Christian School for about 8 years, that was my first coaching exposure. I then began coaching with PEAK Academy a few years after that, and Thunder volleyball around the same time I started with PEAK. I started coaching when a good friend asked if I could help out with the program that was getting started at FMCS, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I was really happy to help out! A lot of my job experience and my interests have aligned well with coaching. I worked in Child and Youth Care for a few years before having my own children. Volleyball is a great sport and all the years I spent playing helped to prepare me for the role of coach. I played volleyball all through junior high and High School, on various club teams as well as at school, in MB. In 2000 I joined the King's University Eagles and played there for 4 years. I do enjoy playing a little recreational volleyball here in Fort McMurray but the more coaching I take on, the less time I seem to have for that.

You really are doing it all! Your career in Child and Youth Care, being an EA, running PEAK volleyball, coaching/mentoring Thunder Volleyball, AND you're a wife and a mom! Do you have any other secret talents/hobbies? And what is one thing trick or tip that helps you keep up with everything you have on the go, for all those other busy people out there reading this?

I am a mom of 3, and wife to Dennis who is one of my biggest supporters and is very often my assistant coach. I also love to garden. I am a part of the committee that started and runs the EDEN Community Garden. If I am not in my own garden working away you can very often find me there.
Keeping everything organized is actually something I don't always feel like I am particularly good at, but, somehow it always seems to work out. I have a wonderful community of friends from Church, Thunder volleyball, school, and my neighborhood that support my family and I as we go through life. Whether it is; help with rides, encouraging words, or sage advice I can always count on the people in my life to be there for us; that and my faith in God is what keeps me going by giving me energy and purpose. I feel very fortunate to be able to spend so much of my time doing things that I love. Coaching is definitely at the top of that list.

Your nominations really highlighted what a positive impact you have on the youth that you work with and coach. How do you foster a safe and positive environment for children to feel like they can thrive?

I believe strongly that coaches set the tone for their program. The tone I intentionally set is one of acceptance and fun. I like my players to know that they can try things and feel safe to perhaps not be as successful as they would like. Playing with freedom and confidence is what I try to foster in the athletes in my program. Lots of encouraging words and looking for the positive in each other is what we practice. I like to remind them that nobody can play to their full potential if they are afraid of their teammates laughing at them or belittling them. Working with players from grades 4 up to grade 9 in my PEAK program means structuring practices that allow all to participate in a meaningful way can be challenging for sure. Finding that happy place where they are being challenged but not overwhelmed is my goal for each time we are in the gym. Getting to know every player as the individual that they are helps with this. Finding resources such as Smash ball and triple ball really brought a lot to my program so I am thankful for the great resources that Volleyball Canada and Volleyball Alberta provide. Following the suggestions of those organizations has helped me out immensely.

A few of your nominations were from your students as well, if they end up reading this, do you have any other lessons/advice you would want to share with them? This can be about volleyball, school, or life in general. We're really keeping on brand with having one last teaching/coaching moment as you start your summer!

There are really so many things..... I would encourage them all to keep working hard and to sit down and intentionally set some goals in the different areas of their lives, sports, academics, etc.. It really helps to know where you are going with your life 🙂

You winning Community Champion this month is really special because the selection committee looks at nominations from the entire year and some of your nominations go way back to December of 2021! With this maybe in mind, is there anything you would like to say to those who had nominated you? The floor is yours!

I would like to say a huge thank you. I truly love doing what I do, the kids I have coached are all such wonderful people. It has been such an honor to hear all of the kind words people have shared. I also want to send a shout out to all of my coaching colleagues. There are so many great folks in our city doing amazing things for the volleyball community and I appreciate them all so much!