Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – The MacEwan Griffins connections at the Paralympics run strong as two former student-athletes and two other former women's volleyball assistant coaches are all in Paris for the Games, which run Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Former Griffins student-athletes Nicole Ban and Kate Rozendaal are head coach and assistant coach, respectively, of Team Canada's women's sitting volleyball team.
In addition, former Griffins women's volleyball assistant coaches Chelsea Hobbs and Heidi Peters are also on the team as an assistant coach and athlete, respectively.
Chelsea Hobbs was previously an assistant coach with the Griffins women's volleyball team (2019-20 photo), and is in Paris as an assistant coach with Team Canada's sitting women's squad.
Former MacEwan students Allison Lang and Sarah Melenka are also athletes on the team.
Former MacEwan student Amanda Rummery is also at the Paralympics, running the 400m.
Rozendaal played for the Griffins for three seasons (2015-18), amassing 412 career kills (seventh in the program's Canada West history). She's at her second Paralympics after also serving as an assistant coach with the team in Tokyo.
"As a non-disabled, retired athlete, it has been an honour to represent my country alongside para-athletes who have dreamed about becoming Paralympians," Rozendaal wrote in an e-mail from France where the team has been preparing for the Games. "I do it all for the athletes and do it for the opportunity to contribute to the Paralympic movement - growing awareness of Parasport and the continued need for the equality of all abilities."
Kate Rozendaal, left, celebrates a point with Griffins teammates Mckenna Stevenson and Lauren Holmes during the 2016-17 Canada West season. She's at the Paralympics as an assistant coach of Team Canada's sitting women's team (Chris Piggott photo).
Ban, who played for the Griffins women's volleyball team from 2005-07 – leading them to a CCAA national championship in her final season – was also a longtime assistant coach with the team in their Canada West era until 2022. She's attending her third Paralympics as Team Canada's head coach.
"Attending a third Paralympics with this program is truly something special," she wrote in an e-mail interview from France. "The Paralympics are the biggest stage we can compete on, and we are looking to improve on our previous performances in Rio and Tokyo.
"Not only are the Paralympics exciting because the whole world is watching but the magic of the Games is evident everywhere you go. There is a buzz around the village, the venues and in the host cities, everyone is excited about Paralympic sport, and we can't wait for that experience."
Heidi Peters, left, Nicole Ban were both assistant coaches on the 2021-22 Griffins women's volleyball team.
It's not just about the experience, though, as Team Canada has a legitimate shot at a medal this time after coming fourth three years ago in Tokyo and finishing seventh in Rio 2016.
Nine players are returning from Tokyo as the team prepares to battle such powerhouse countries as defending Paralympic champion United States, and China – a squad they finished second to at a World Cup in Egypt last November to punch their ticket for Paris. Peters was named all-star server and MVP of that event, while Melenka won all-star setter.
"The hopes and expectations for this program are to podium," said Ban. "We were major underdogs heading into Tokyo but finished fourth. This time, we are in the mix with the top teams in the world and are looking forward to battling for some hardware."
Team Canada gets underway with their first match of Pool B play vs. Slovenia on Thursday (9:50 a.m., CBC Gem). They will also meet Brazil Aug. 31 (11:50 a.m., CBC Gem) and Rwanda on Sept. 2 (9:30 a.m., CBC Gem).
Should they qualify for the semifinals, they'll play on Sept. 5 (9:50 a.m. or 11:50 a.m., CBC Gem). The bronze and gold matches are scheduled for Sept. 7 (6:50 a.m. and 11:20 a.m., respectively, CBC Gem).
