'We have the heart': Nain volleyball team plays up two divisions
The eight-person team was the first AA Labrador team to play against the largest schools in the province
The Nain volleyball team is celebrating coming in third and making history after playing two divisions higher than where they qualified.
The Jens Haven Memorial School boys volleyball team was one of 13 schools that played in the December AAAA provincials tournament.
They were the smallest team.
"It was the best provincials we've ever been to and I loved every game," said Gilbert Obed, who is in Grade 12.
"We may not have the height, but we have the heart."
Volleyball provincials are broken into divisions based on school population so tournaments can be fair.
The smallest schools with less than 30 students play in A, slightly larger schools with 31 to 75 students play in AA, schools with up to 249 students play in AAA, while schools with greater than 250 students play in AAAA.
School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador said Nain is the first AA Labrador school to play in the AAAA provincials against the largest schools in the province.
"It was intense. All the games are close. We played seven games, and five games went [into the] third set," said Michael Earle, who is in Grade 11. "We're underrated."
Nainimiut now living in St. John's live streamed the games so families in Nain could watch. Janelle Barbour, whose son played on the team, said it was hard to describe the feeling of watching online through people's livestreams as the entire community seemed tuned in.
"We were jumping around just like the boys were," Barbour said. "They have the whole community support for these games."
Many of the teenagers also met horses for the first time, getting the chance to feed and groom them, while also feeding ducks around St. John's. Barbour said she hopes the entire experience opens them up to what they can achieve.
Barbour said she also hopes people around the province see how well the teenagers played and their talent, showcasing what smaller communities can do.
"Just because we're small doesn't mean we're not mighty," Barbour said. "These boys have always been true champions even if they didn't place first. Like they show true pride and all their heart, they put everything into every game they play."
The team sportsmanship banner is set to hang in the Jens Haven Memorial School gym. Barbour said the sportsmanship award is the most important one at the tournament.
"I just have pure pride for them. Like my heart is bursting," Barbour said. "They can pursue anything that they set their mind out to do once they finish here at JHS, and I hope they always have their pride."
Earle wanted to send a thank you to all the friends and family who came out to support the team.
"Thank you for everyone who came out. All the family and friends we have on the north coast who [were] in St. John's to watch us, we needed them," he said. "We hope to do it again next year."
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With files from Regan Burden