Volleyball sees surge of interest among students in Chisasibi, Que.

Students of James Bay Eeyou School in Chisasibi, Que., are working hard on the volleyball court, and in the classroom.

A growing interest in volleyball is helping many Cree students focus on their school studies and sports.

"That's what's getting me through high school, because I have something to look forward to at the end of the day," said 16-year-old Joseph Petawabano, a Grade 10 student at the school. Petawabano is also captain of the boys volleyball team, known as the Warriors.

"I noticed some people were getting bored and getting into bad habits. We're trying to introduce a new sport to the region. It's fun to watch. It's intense and very entertaining," he said. 

While hockey, broomball and snowcross racing are already popular sports in Eeyou Istchee, volleyball is lately seeing a surge in interest. 

The James Bay Eeyou School's (JBES) boys and girls volleyball teams are undefeated this season. They won championship titles in the recent Cree School Board (CSB) coastal tournament in Wemindji, Que., and the CSB regional volleyball tournament in Waswanipi, Que. 

The students' hard work on the court is also having a positive impact in the classrooms. 

"We're seeing an increase in class attendance and an increase in grades," said Kaylie Chaulk Hodder, a teacher at the school who also volunteers as a volleyball coach. 

The students sign contracts to commit to their school studies in order to keep playing volleyball as an extracurricular activity. 

They practice six hours per week together, working on playmaking, setting, and communication on the court.

Chaulk Hodder says growing up in a small rural town in Newfoundland, playing the sport had a huge impact on her life.

"The only thing that there was to do was play