Langley, Canada
Brazil and Argentina played a South American classic battle with the support of fans from both countries who reside in the British Columbia area.
Also the people from Canada had the chance to cheer up and follow the Trinity Western University Club that represented the maple leaf nation that played and amazing third place match against a Dominican team that returned to the Caribbean with the bronze medal.
Spectators from Argentina and Brazil, also lived a traditional battle between the “Hinchas” and “Torcedores” (terms in Spanish and Portuguese in reference to fans).
The Langley Events Centre stands were painted in green and yellow on one side and white and sky blue on another, but also the red and white as well as the Caribbean touch were part of a mosaic, a true Pan American mosaic.
This was a great effort made by the volunteers, host committee and the regional association of British Columbia Volleyball, Trinity Western University Staff, Langley Events Centre and Volleyball Canada, as well as all the people who attended to this competition.
No matter their age of experience, there were people who had to drive for many hours or kilometers sharing their time and love for the sport of volleyball as staff members or VIS assistants, for example.
The response at the practical clinics was huge, and even international referees from far away countries like Argentina, had the chance to share and communicate their knowledge with very young kids who for the first time had a ball in their hands to contribute as retrievers or some others who learned how important is the work of a mopper in a match.
Also the local referees did a fundamental job in the success of this tournament. Many of them referees were women who combined youth, experience and a great commitment, a living proof of genre equity constantly promoted by the FIVB and its confederations as a key and fundamental factor of integration and development.
During the awards ceremony, Jack Froese, the Mayor of the Township of Langley, was present to present the Cup to the Pan American Champion in this category.
Mayor Froese confirmed the support of the city to host and promote volleyball competitions, such as the 2013 Senior Men’s Continental Championship.
“I think it will be a pretty fantastic event. We are going to fill up this stadium with fans. In Langley and around this area there are a lot of people who will be happy to see their home country play,” he said after the official announcement of the Men’s Continental Championship scheduled for next year.
“A lot of people from all over the world live here, and I think this place is will be excited. The township of Langley is proud to host it and we will roll out the red carpet for this event,” he added.
The Langley Events Centre was inaugurated only four years ago but has contributed to the transformation and positive impact of the residents of this area in Canada.
“It is brand new and it is always busy, partnered with a lot of community groups, a gymnastics club, hockey and lacrosse teams. People use it every day,” he also remarked. “This facility has really helped Langley. People are always comfortable to come here, and we hold a lot of great events, just like the Norceca events.”
The Township of Langley is close to Vancouver a city that two years ago hosted the Winter Olympic Games. Some exhibition events were held in Langley as an effort to promote high performance and massive sports.
“When Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2010, this facility was practically new and we had an International hockey game, just prior to the Olympics,” the Mayor recalled.
“And recently during the Summer Olympics, with the sporting community watching the games in England, more and more of the young people wanted to get involved in sports and having a facility like this it allows them to do it and also to promote the health of the community as a focal point.”
Appreciation from both finalist countries was a constant reference as their final message to the fans and the people of the Township of Langley. Visitors and participants expect this was just the beginning of something that could be an extraordinary experience in years to come; to make possible that this area of Beautiful British Columbia can become a proud and emblematic volleyball town.
