Diane Hallagan wanted two things at the French Creek Family YMCA, 2010 Recreation Lane in Avon: more intergenerational programming, and more volleyball.
Putting volleyball in the facility’s pool was a perfect solution, said Hallagan, wellness director at the French Creek YMCA.
The Avon location’s first pool volleyball games took place Dec. 7, Hallagan said.
The program will run at least through the month of December, and likely even longer depending on how much momentum the program receives.
“We really wanted to bring a new program to the (YMCA) that would be intergenerational,” Hallagan said. “So, (it’s) for really all ages.
“This is an adult program, but we’ll be using it for youth programming as well.”
According to Hallagan, the facility’s maintenance team put together a volleyball net that could float on water, and would fit the size of the YMCA’s small swimming pool.
During the test run, Hallagan noted that the first game was both fun, and highly competitive.
Perhaps the most crucial element, she said, was not only that both sides were having fun, but that the game was accessible to those with limited mobility.
“This allows people that have limited mobility to also participate in this activity,” Hallagan said. “The most important thing is that it’s competitive, and also fun … it’s what the Y is really, truly all about, making it accessible to everyone.
“You do not have to be an athlete to participate in this program.”
The pool volleyball program is one of two new volleyball programs introduced at the French Creek YMCA this year, Hallagan said.
Chair volleyball also has been a hit, especially with older participants that may have limited mobility, she said.
“It really allows people that have very limited mobility (to participate), even if they’re in a wheelchair,” Hallagan said. “They can participate and have this sense of community as well. That is on Monday afternoons at 12:30 p.m.”
Hallagan said the turnout for the Dec. 7 program was the best she could have asked for.
While the group still is working out some of the kinks in the program itself, the proof of concept passed initial testing with flying colors, she said.
“I was hoping for this,” Hallagan said. “I was really hoping for 10 (players).
“We need five people on each side. Really, 12 is a perfect number because you can rotate in, so really we’re looking at about 12. I would say, if I can get 20 people on this league, it would be great.”
Pool volleyball games will take place on Wednesday mornings, Hallagan said.
However, the group may add more weekly dates and times in the future, she said.
More information is available at clevelandymca.org.
