BVA “In-the-News”

VOLLEYBALL SOURCE MAGAZINE

(www.volleyballsourcemag.com)

Volleyball Source Magazine is 100% player owned, operated and proudly produced in Canada. We are dedicated to documenting the ever changing face of volleyball in this country and excited to do this through the finest photography, expert editorial along with dedicated design, all fused together in a package that speaks from the player to the player.

Published quarterly, Volleyball Source Magazine represents both the player and the industry, bringing them together in a magazine that can stand on it's own online against any volleyball publication from around the world.

Volleyball Source Magazine looks forward to bring you the inside story on our top athletes that represent our country both indoor and the beach. While also featuring the rising stars at the high school and collegiate level, the stories are all there just waiting to be exposed.

PROfiles David Cousins

Posted March 19, 2010 (OVA News: Ontario Volleyball website - www.ontariovolleyball.org)

The best thing about PROfiles is hearing about all of the different people that help make this sport and community so special. It is always interesting to hear how people started playing, how they reached their accomplishments, and the passion they have for the sport.

Featuring David Cousins was an obvious choice. He has been playing for 19 years, is a Provincial Champion, owner of one of the best beach clubs in Ontario, Beach Volleyball Academy (BVA), and one of the nicest people you will ever meet on the beach.

What made us rush to get a PROfile on him was the rumour of him beating Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhousier.

OVA: Is it true you beat Phil Dalhousier?
David: Yes that is true. Phil Dalhousier was not the player that he is today. He was younger and just about to get great at beach volleyball. I traveled with Anton Hauser down to Miami for a March break. We played all week and as a bonus we played in a tourney right on South Beach. I didn´t even know that we had beaten him in the tourney until a few years later when Anton Hauser said remember that tall skinny guy we beat in the quarter finals? That guy turned out to be Phil Dalhousier. It is just a fun little fact ... 5´11” vballer from London, Ontario, has beaten a Olympic Gold Medalist.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
David: There was a beach court in the middle of downtown London (The Ceeps). My friends and I, as soon as school or our summer jobs were over, we would race down there to play till the sun went down. It was a great environment!

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
David: Hitting that one ball that pops off the sand just right. Meeting my best friends.

OVA: What was it like playing on the World Tour?
David: I never played on the world tour. I played on the east coast of the U.S. (Toyota tour), Chicago (EVP), Labatt Tour throughout Canada.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
David: Play in as many tournaments as possible. It is a great measuring stick. Travel with your partner, it will be the best times of your life!

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
David: I see Canadian Beach Volleyball moving on to its brightest future. We have one of the best youth tours and nothing but GOOD can from this. The sport will continue to grow.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
David: Nothing

David teamed up with Shaun Furneaux to start the Beach Volleyball Academy (BVA) in London and Port Stanley. Since the start of the club they have expanded to new areas including Kitchener and Windsor. One of the great features about the club was inspired by the Manhattan Beach pier, where every winning team of the AVP Manhattan Open gets their name permanently placed on the pier. Every time a BVA team wins a Provincial Championship their names go on the plaque on centre court in Port Stanley.

OVA: Why did you and Shaun start BVA?
David: There were no kids in London and area starting to play beach. We have had so many great memories from playing over the years. We wanted to share that with the next generation. There are now after starting in 2007, hundreds of kids that love the sport and hopefully play for the rest of their lives.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
David: Advantages ... Control. When you play indoor there are six people who can contact the ball. You may be a good hitter, or setter, or passer. Usually you only get one contact. On the beach you have to be good at everything because there are only two people on the court. More contacts. If you aren´t good at one skill the opposition will pick on you till you get that skill correct. You get to overcome these challenges and become a winner.

OVA: What was the hardest part transitioning from a player to a coach?
David: Nothing. They are both great challenges and offer great rewards.

OVA: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own beach club?
David: Share your passion for the game. Just get kids playing the sport.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
David: Getting to play with Christian Redman and Matty Z in their first pro event, winning provincials 10 years apart, starting the BVA. But still waiting for the best moment to happen ...

We would like to thank David for his help with this article. Best of luck this year with all the teams at BVA.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233