Cougar League

Format:

For female athletes seeking a positive team experience, Cougar League provides an environment where players can grow, compete, and have fun. Athletes are placed on a team with peers of similar age and skill level, ensuring an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere.

Program Highlights:

  • Skill Development: Weekly sessions dedicated to building fundamental volleyball skills, led by experienced coaches.

  • Gameplay: Athletes will engage in structured gameplay each week, applying their skills in a competitive, team-oriented setting.

  • Interclub Tournaments: Players will participate in three tournaments (March 1, April 12, and a third TBD date) against other clubs' league teams, experiencing the excitement of tournament play.

With a balanced focus on skill development, teamwork, and competition, the Cougar League is the perfect opportunity for young athletes to build confidence, improve their abilities, and form lasting friendships on the court.

Lead Coach: Shayla Kirby

  • Female Foundations (ages 12 - 14)

    Female Performance (ages 15 - 18)

    See Dates & Times for more information

  • Dates: January 6, 2025 - May 4, 2025 (17 weeks)

    Our Cougar League program is designed to ensure athletes are grouped with peers of similar age and skill level for the most enjoyable and effective experience.

    Program Overview:

    In the first week, all participants will go through skill evaluations. This allows our coaches to assess each athlete’s abilities and tailor training to their needs. Following these evaluations, athletes will be assigned to one of two weekly sessions—either Monday or Wednesday—based on both age and skill level. This approach helps us create balanced groups, where each player can develop at their own pace, engage in fair competition, and gain confidence on the court.

    Female Foundations Group

    Approximate Ages: 12-14

    Sessions:

    • Monday: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

    • Sunday: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Female Performance Group

    Approximate Ages: 15-18

    Sessions:

    • Wednesday: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

    • Sunday: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    — Tournament Dates —

    As part of the Cougar League season, athletes will have the opportunity to participate in three interclub tournaments, competing against other clubs' league teams. Each tournament will have both morning and evening waves, with specific times for each group to be determined closer to the event dates.

    • Tournament 1: March 1, 2025

    • Tournament 2: April 12, 2025

    • Tournament 3: Date TBD

    These tournaments provide an exciting opportunity for players to test their skills, enjoy friendly competition with other clubs, and experience the energy and camaraderie of tournament play alongside their teammates!

  • Catalyst Initiative Athletic Club, 20159 115A Avenue Units 1-4, Maple Ridge BC, V2X 0Z3

  • Shayla has coached with Cougar Volleyball for 4 years. In her first years, she was the head coach for a 14U beach team and head coach of a 14U indoor club team. Now, Shayla is our head coach for our Cougar League program which is aimed at providing a fun and safe environment for kids to play the game beyond a competitive club team.

    Her heart lies with the “underdogs” and those who truly love the game of volleyball. Shayla was a bit of an underdog herself, starting volleyball at the late age of 17 and playing only one season of club volleyball that ended early due to COVID-19. Shayla did go on to play as a middle for the junior varsity team at Briercrest for a wonderful year before deciding ultimately to return home to the mountains and oceans of B.C.

    Shayla loves to work with all ages and positions. Her goal is helping people fall in love with the game of volleyball and find their meaning beyond their identity as an athlete. When she is not on the court, you can find Shayla studying Kinesiology at UFV, working as a student athletic trainer for the UFV women’s volleyball team or nose deep in her bible.

    Contact: shaylakirby0905@gmail.com