Innisfail Jr/Sr High School vice-principal Jeff Anderson is a leader both academically and athletically on court as coach of the Innisfail Cyclones girls senior volleyball team.
Anderson has been part of the school since 2010 when he moved from Stettler, where he had taught for 12 years, to become vice-principal and volleyball coach.
“I have been a volleyball player or coach since high school,” said Anderson. “When I was in Grade 12 in St. Albert, I coached the 1988 junior high boys volleyball team, and have never looked back since then.”
Anderson studied at the University of Alberta from 1988 to 1996 and graduated with a double degree, one in education and another in special needs physical education.
“It was a long time in university,” added Anderson. “As soon as I finished my second degree, they changed the program to a five-year double minor but I was ready to teach and moved to my first assignment in Stettler's middle school. I moved to the high school in my second year.”
While studying at the University of Alberta, Anderson played on the U of A Junior Bears volleyball team.
“Terry Danyluck is the coach of the Alberta Golden Bears, who just won their seventh CIS national volleyball title,” said Anderson. “He was my mentor while I played on the junior bears and I learned so much from him which I try to impart to my players.”
Anderson spent from 1999 to 2006 with the Red Deer College U-18 Kings team as coach, mentoring young players the same way he was influenced by his coaches. In late 2006 he was asked to help with the Red Deer College Kings senior team by Keith Hansen.
“I was privileged to work with Keith coaching the Kings for one year during the 2006-2007 season,” said Anderson. “Not only was I able to help the team to their record eighth straight national title, but four of the kids I coached earlier were on the team and this opportunity allowed me to help them continue their development as players.”
Anderson uses a variety of coaching techniques and strategies normally used by university and college coaches such as video and statistical analysis to determine who is progressing and who is not. He also emphasizes the importance of service and passing every practice.
“During my coaching career I have had the opportunity to interact with university coaches as part of the executive of the Alberta Volleyball Association,” said Anderson. “This allows me to gather data and coaching skills from the best, so my players are able to receive quality coaching that will prepare them for post-secondary play.”
He noted this will be his fourth year as coach of the senior high Cyclones girls volleyball team.
“We finished in seventh place last year, just out of playoffs,” added Anderson. “This year we will be in the second year of our rebuilding program but we will be able to field two teams for the first time. As a coach, this will be exciting to see their skills develop and players move up from the junior to the senior team.”
Coaching girls volleyball gives Anderson a “feeling of fulfillment” when former players return to share their success with him, said Anderson.
“I win vicariously through my ‘girls' as they find success in post-secondary volleyball,” added Anderson. “Several of my former players have gone on to win national championships with the Red Deer College Queens and athlete of the year honours in the Alberta Colleges Athletic League.”
Anderson noted he has an excellent core of athletes the school can latch onto for the next couple of years and build an excellent volleyball program. Part of the strategy is to hold a summer volleyball camp in Innisfail.
“There are tentative plans to put on a weeklong volleyball camp near the end of July for as many as 20 kids who want to develop their skills,” said Anderson. “I want to give them every opportunity for success.”
