TRU scores Denmark dynamo Import assistant coach and star blocker reunite on Canadian university courts
Kevin Mitchell
Black Press
September 10 2006
At 6-foot-8, 2006 pounds and shiny blond hair, 21-year-old Martin Madsen looked somewhat out of place at the Fulton Gold Medal Volleyball Camp in Vernon.
The dynamic Denmark middle blocker did his best to fit in, however. Just two weeks into a new life in Canada, Madsen was loving summer camp in an air-conditioned high-school gym.
"We don't have summer volleyball camps in Denmark so this is a lot of fun," said Madsen, who will rule the net for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in Kamloops this fall.
Madsen was recruited by Chad Grimm, a 28-year-old Quesnel product who will serve as an assistant coach with the Pack.
| "Chad was my coach in Denmark in club volleyball and we won the silver medal," said Madsen. "I'll probably do four years (at Thompson Rivers). My thoughts were that I'd like to travel and start my studies, meet some new people, and experience a different culture.
"So far, it's been great. It's a beautiful country and I love the mentality. The people are open."
Madsen will start physical testing at TRU next week.
"They are expecting me to be in a starting position on the team and expecting me to do good and improve the team's blocking. Chad told me the general level is higher than in Denmark."
Grimm, who played pro in Denmark for two years and Belgium for one season before blowing a knee, is high on Madsen's potential. |
LISA VANDERVELDE/PHOTO
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| Martin Madsen provides instruction to Sheryl McNeill at the recent 12th annual Fulton Gold Medal Volleyball Camp in Vernon. Madsen, from Denmark, joins the TRU WolfPack for the 2006-2007 men's volleyball season. |
"Martin definitely has a big upside," said Grimm, also a guest coach at the Gold Medal camp. "He works hard and he can make an impact. He'll do well. He's done his military time (four months) and he's driven and very intelligent."
There are 95 youngsters in Grades 6-12 at the camp headed by Fulton athletic director and former Team Canada starter Sharon Shaigec. Grimm, who played at UBC before heading to Europe, was impressed with the enthusiasm and talent of the campers.
"In Denmark, they start the kids in volleyball when they're five. They simplify the game by letting them catch and throw the ball. Volleyball has now passed soccer in popularity. Canada is starting to make the move in that area (grassroots training)."
Grimm's girlfriend, Anna Christiansen, and WolfPack setter Tim Flanagan also coached at the Fulton camp.
Christiansen was a power hitter with the Danish national team for five years.
"I like it a lot here," said the elementary-school teacher.
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