Yorkton, the volleyball factory of the 1980s

When it comes to Yorkton sports dynasties, the dominance of Yorkton volleyball teams and players in the 1980s stands out. 

Senior hockey had a good run with the Terriers winning three league titles and four provincial championships between 1967 and 1972. But nothing compares to the boys’ volleyball teams of the 1980s and the players, all 18 and under in age. Most were coached by Dennis Pomeroy, who became a legend in the sport. The Yorkton Regional High School Raiders boys teams won nine consecutive provincial championships in that decade, and the male club teams – the Macs -- had their share of successes. 

For many of the male players, volleyball stuck with them, and they stuck with volleyball. Of the 19 players who formed the 1982 juvenile (age 18 and under) and midget (age 16 and under) Macs, six are still very actively involved in the sport as coaches, referees and officials, as are others from later 1980s. 

The girls teams did not receive the same level of attention as their male counterparts -- they flew somewhat under the radar. But that same decade was the start of outstanding volleyball success for one player, the pinnacle of whose career was playing for Canada in the 1996 Olympics. 

We talked with four men and two women who were part of those successes, and who are still active in volleyball 40-plus years later.