Team Canada volleyball tryouts – a dream come true…

Christine Teal | Jul 07, 2011

To play volleyball takes talent, skill and discipline. To play really well means a commitment and a love for the game. In order to play at university level means you are devoted to the game and determined to be the best you can be. For those of us who know him, Josh Neadow, gives new meaning to the game of volleyball.

This spring Josh received an invitation, one of only 45 volleyball players from colleges and universities from across Canada to be invited to a 5-day tryout for the Junior Men’s Canada National Volleyball Team at their training center in Gatineau, Quebec. Here Josh had the chance to play with the best volleyball athletes in all of Canada and he also got the chance to meet some members of Canada’s Men’s national Volleyball Team.

Team Canada’s coaches spoke to Josh after the tryouts and told him he had a strong performance with very strong skills and he has been invited back next year. This was a thrilling opportunity for Josh, who enjoyed every second of it. To be considered one of the six best liberos in Canada is overwhelming. This was a great chance to compete at a high level and with the best. Of those invited, 85% were returning from last year so unfortunately, Josh did not secure a spot this year but you just never know what next year will bring after he has a year’s experience under his belt. Josh says, “This experience was a highlight in my volleyball career”.

Josh has been attending Trent University for the past five years and each year has played on the men’s volleyball team. His first year, he did not become the starting libero until after the Christmas break. After that, he had the privilege of holding the starting libero position for the remainder of his volleyball career at Trent University.

His second year was a great year as it was the first time in the Trent men’s program that the team went to the provincials. Unfortunately, the team lost in the quarter finals, but we’re still proud of their accomplishment. This was also the year that Josh established himself as one of the league’s top liberos and led the league in digs, which continued for the next three years. In the 2009-2010 season he had over 100 more digs than the closest person in the running!!

During his career at Trent University he had the honour of receiving the Arthur Cup. This prestigious award is given to graduating student-athletes who excel in their sport, participate in campus recreational leagues, succeed in their academics, and are involved in the community. He also earned a joint major with History and Geography. Some of the other highlights of Josh’s career include: winning the coach’s award 3 times; being named on the all-star team 4 times; being MVP for the men’s volleyball team, team captain and leading the OCAA in digs for three straight years. What an accomplishment!

Josh is the son of Harry and Mary Joy Neadow, and Rachel, his youngest sister who is graduating from SLHS this year, has been offered a position on Trent’s Women’s Volleyball team.

Josh is currently enrolled in Teacher’s College for September and upon graduation he is hoping to start his teaching career and hopes to become a coach wherever he ends up.

To say that we are proud of you and your accomplishments is truly an understatement Josh. Kudos to you and your skill in volleyball, we all know that you will do exceptionally well in your chosen career path.