Thompson’s Bryce Taite, a student at R.D. Parker Collegiate, has been selected to represent Manitoba in under-16 volleyball at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) this July in Halifax.
Taite, who stands six feet tall, began his volleyball career in elementary school at age 12.
“I didn’t think I was ready for NAIG,” says the humble athlete. “I didn’t try out because I didn’t think I was ready. Then somebody saw me down south in Winnipeg and I got offered an opportunity … somebody called my dad up.”
Taite has been practising a lot and plays for the RDPC Trojans volleyball team.
“Coach [Stan] Wong has really pushed me to try my best whenever I’m playing,” he explains. “He taught me a lot of what I know and the discipline.”
Taite says that his upcoming adventure in Halifax is good preparation for life.
“It think it’s going to be pretty unique,” he says. “It’s going to be a new experience to show me more about the outside world apart from Thompson.”
Support from teammates and family has been key for Taite.
“My coaches have also been there for me whenever I needed something, or to help guide me through,” he says. “My brothers are also excited for me.”
Taite’s favourite parts of the game are “hitting the ball a lot, and serving.”
