A Drumheller volleyball coach who has dedicated decades to growing the sport has been honoured by Volleyball Alberta for her dedication.
Audrey DeBona knows her way around a volleyball court. She has spent years playing, officiating and coaching. Most recently she has coached the DVC U15 Smash to provincial bronze and then took them to nationals back to back. Last week she was named Development Coach of the Year.
She learned of the award a few weeks ago but was presented along with 15 other Albertans at a banquet at Grey Eagle Events Centre in Calgary on June 24.
“I was nominated, and then Volleyball Alberta goes through the nominations and I was chosen,” DeBona tells the Mail. “I was in volleyball for 45 years, whether it was playing, watching, coaching or officiating.”
She has coached at the junior high and senior high levels as well as club volleyball and refereed for 31 years.
She says it feels good to be recognized for her dedication. Coaching takes skill, patience and discipline.
“It was super nice to be recognized. You never really think of that, you just kind of think about winning tournaments,” she said. “You do this to try to help them become good volleyball players and even better human beings.”
She isn’t hanging up her hat just yet. She plans on coaching this coming season and has a core of girls returning to the court. She hopes to be with this group until they graduate.
