Utah AAU Volleyball Spotlight
11/05/2020
Warren Van Schalkwyk and Utah AAU Volleyball successfully hosted an event at the end of October that allowed many AAU members to enjoy a memorable experience in a safe environment.
ORLANDO, Fla. – To Utah AAU member Warren Van Schalkwyk, the benefits of youth sporting events are an incredibly important part of a community’s overall well-being.
“I have always felt and there’s a community here that feels that sports are an amazing positive outlet for our kids. It’s a little mini ecosystem where kids can learn to thrive,” said the longtime AAU volleyball coach and event operator. “All of these skill sets and talents are created in that sport environment and if you take that away, I don’t know how you replace that.”
Judging by the Utah AAU Volleyball community’s response to the re-opening of events, he’s not alone in feeling that way.
After coming out of the pandemic-induced lockdown in the spring, Van Schalkwyk has seen enormous growth in the interest and participation of the Utah AAU Volleyball scene. According to the GSL Volleyball club coach, he typically sees about 80 participants in his summer volleyball program. However, this year, that number has inflated to 250 eager youngsters, both boys and girls.
Van Schalkwyk said he was surprised at the explosive growth, but that it ultimately made sense; parents were eager to get their kids out of the house and back to playing the games they love. This was also made evident at a recent AAU Volleyball event in Lehi at the end of October that about 700 AAU members took part in.
“I think the parents are just excited at the opportunity. Every time we have an event, people sign up for it, we sell out and that's just an indication to me that the parents feel like this is essential,” said Van Schalkwyk.
Of course, to hold these essential events, the proper procedures must be in place to prioritize the health and safety of the participants. Van Schalkwyk says there’s no secret recipe to making his AAU events as safe as possible; he and the other leaders in Utah AAU simply have followed both what the local government and health department are recommending as well as what facility operators are asking of them. Masks and face coverings are strictly enforced, temperature checks are in place upon entry to the event and spectator attendance has been drastically reduced.
The response has been ‘overwhelmingly positive,’ as Van Schalkwyk puts it. The number of participants and the smiles of the parents and young athletes, under their masks, back that up.
The positive effects of hosting AAU events in Utah also extend beyond those who play and those who cheer on the players. As Van Schalkwyk has researched the local area for potential AAU events, he’s found that many restaurants, hotels, and even ride-sharing app drivers need youth sports to stay afloat and provide economic stability.
“Sports events are a big deal to communities, so I think we’re doing the right thing,” Van Schalkwyk said.
More information on AAU Volleyball can be found here as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“I have always felt and there’s a community here that feels that sports are an amazing positive outlet for our kids. It’s a little mini ecosystem where kids can learn to thrive,” said the longtime AAU volleyball coach and event operator. “All of these skill sets and talents are created in that sport environment and if you take that away, I don’t know how you replace that.”
Judging by the Utah AAU Volleyball community’s response to the re-opening of events, he’s not alone in feeling that way.
After coming out of the pandemic-induced lockdown in the spring, Van Schalkwyk has seen enormous growth in the interest and participation of the Utah AAU Volleyball scene. According to the GSL Volleyball club coach, he typically sees about 80 participants in his summer volleyball program. However, this year, that number has inflated to 250 eager youngsters, both boys and girls.
Van Schalkwyk said he was surprised at the explosive growth, but that it ultimately made sense; parents were eager to get their kids out of the house and back to playing the games they love. This was also made evident at a recent AAU Volleyball event in Lehi at the end of October that about 700 AAU members took part in.
“I think the parents are just excited at the opportunity. Every time we have an event, people sign up for it, we sell out and that's just an indication to me that the parents feel like this is essential,” said Van Schalkwyk.
Of course, to hold these essential events, the proper procedures must be in place to prioritize the health and safety of the participants. Van Schalkwyk says there’s no secret recipe to making his AAU events as safe as possible; he and the other leaders in Utah AAU simply have followed both what the local government and health department are recommending as well as what facility operators are asking of them. Masks and face coverings are strictly enforced, temperature checks are in place upon entry to the event and spectator attendance has been drastically reduced.
The response has been ‘overwhelmingly positive,’ as Van Schalkwyk puts it. The number of participants and the smiles of the parents and young athletes, under their masks, back that up.
The positive effects of hosting AAU events in Utah also extend beyond those who play and those who cheer on the players. As Van Schalkwyk has researched the local area for potential AAU events, he’s found that many restaurants, hotels, and even ride-sharing app drivers need youth sports to stay afloat and provide economic stability.
“Sports events are a big deal to communities, so I think we’re doing the right thing,” Van Schalkwyk said.
More information on AAU Volleyball can be found here as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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