Payworks Coach of the Month

Kelly DeRoo

Award
Payworks Coach of the Month
Sport
Badminton, Volleyball
Award Date
Nov 30, 2021
School
Vincent Massey High School
award_photo

Kelly DeRoo has been coaching volleyball for 16 years at both high school and club levels. Brandon, Manitoba’s Vincent Massey High School has been very lucky to have Kelly coach with the school since 2010.  During this time, Kelly has had great successes with her teams winning various tournaments but also getting to the JV Girls Provincial AAAA Finals in 2017. Kelly has been a coach for the school’s badminton program for the last four years as well. 

We want to recognize Kelly’s efforts this past month as her dedication has been demonstrated even more during a time when traveling to tournaments and running a program has provided the utmost challenges.  Kelly hosted the JV Viking Classic with her team finishing 2nd.   Then, they travelled to Selkirk to finish 3rd at their tournament.  Her commitment to the players is clearly illustrated as she drove the team back and forth on Friday and Saturday, so the team could participate in meaningful competition.  For those keeping track, that is 12 hours of driving for five hours of volleyball.  A firm punctuation mark to this feat is that she is doing it while working on her master’s degree in Home Economics.

Kelly is a coach that creates an environment of excellence, not only through effective skill development, but also through an emphasis on inclusivity and equitable treatment of all athletes.  A former player remarked that, “Ms. DeRoo brings a happiness and joy to the gym everyday while having a genuine care for every person on her team”.