Jamie Broder can do the math as well as anyone.
The Victoria beach volleyball star is No. 8 in the world with partner Kristana Valjas of Toronto. The top 16 teams at next summer’s cut-off advance to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.
“We’re feeling really good about where we are,” said Broder, a graduate of Claremont Secondary.
The pair book-ended their 2015 season-opening tournament win, at Fuzhou in the China Open in April, with a season-ending tournament victory last weekend in Turtle Beach, Tobago, defeating Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Sweat of the United States 21-14, 21-17 in straight sets. The victory in Tobago was worth 500 qualifying points for Rio. Fendrick and Sweat settled for 450.
“We started with gold this season and finished with gold. When you begin getting that belief in yourself, you expect to win every time you step off the plane,” said Broder.
Then there’s that little golden bauble up for grabs next summer in Brazil, and Broder isn’t hesitant to display that Canadian swagger many have noted in the aftermath of hosting the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
“We’re definitely going for gold in Rio,” said Broder.
“But it’s one tournament at a time to get there,” added the 30-year-old, who went from Claremont to star with the Vancouver Island University Mariners before winning two CIS national titles with the UBC Thunderbirds.
“We have a unique sport. There’s only two people on your team out there on the sand court with no subs and no coach. Staying healthy will be very important in the next year. You have to manage your body in terms of the weight room and nutrition.”
The payoff could come in August on Copacabana Beach.
Meanwhile, another Islander and Claremont product, veteran Fred Winters, has captained Canada into the final round of the NORCECA Continental men’s indoor volleyball Olympic qualifying process for Rio 2016. The final round takes place Jan. 8-10. Canada is looking for its first Olympic berth since Barcelona in 1992 and goes in with a crucial advantage, as Edmonton was chosen to host the tournament Jan. 8-10 at the Saville Community Sport Centre.
Starting outside-hitter Shanice Marcelle, a product of Spectrum Community School, has helped qualify the Canadian women’s indoor volleyball team for their final round of NORCECA Continental Olympic qualifying Jan. 7-9 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Adding to this Island volleyball depth is Highland Secondary-graduate Martin Reader from Comox, who represented Canada in beach volleyball at London 2012.
“We have a strong community of volleyball coaches and supporters on the Island who are passionate about the sport and put in the time to help it prosper,” said Broder.
“They always spent extra time with me whenever I needed it. After my playing career, I hope to give back to youth volleyball.”
