As the Camosun Chargers Volleyball teams prepare for their final games of the season this weekend, Chargers Athletics would like to congratulate two of their Men’s Volleyball Alum, Vitor Macedo and Håkon Østrem, on their recent selection as the new Head and Assistant Coaches of the Norwegian Women’s Junior National Team.
Macedo has been named Head Coach, while Østrem will assist. The coaching duo has a host of responsibilities, including planning and running camps for recruitment, managing athlete training, conducting follow-ups and administering stats.
Macedo and Østrem have been friends and teammates since coming to Canada from their respective home countries of Brazil and Norway.
“I’ve known Håkon for a long time now, and when I decided to become a student-athlete in Canada, first in Lethbridge College, and then at Camosun, I helped recruit him to both schools,” says Macedo. “Håkon and I have always talked about becoming coaches and coaching together, so this is a dream opportunity!”
During their time at Camosun, the pair collectively helped the Chargers Men’s Volleyball team to three PACWEST Provincial titles, three appearances at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships and a CCAA National title.
Macedo played three years with the Chargers, leaving after the 2015-16 season to move to Norway where he signed a contract with Førde Volleyballklubb, both as a player and a coach. Østrem played two years for Camosun, leaving at the end of the 2016-17 season and moving back to Norway.
The two coaches reside in cities that are 1,600 kilometers apart (a 24-hour drive). Macedo is Head Coach of the Førde Volleyballklubb Team, and Østrem coaches the BK Tromsø, in his home town. Because Norway does not have a National Volleyball Team training centre, Macedo and Østrem will be running their training camps in different regions of the country as they look for talented and potential players. Both will maintain their current head coaching positions while travelling to recruit and shape the upcoming National Team.
“I have always wanted to represent a nation in an international tournament, and I think the dream of representing Brazil is behind me as they have some of the best coaches in the world and I’ve been away for so long,” comments Macedo. “But I’m very excited to have the chance to represent Norway and develop the National Team. I think that both Håkon and I will learn a lot from this experience and it will really help us grow as coaches.”
This weekend, the Chargers Volleyball Teams will play their final matches of the regular season against Island rivals, the VIU Mariners. The teams will face off on Friday in Victoria and then travel to Nanaimo for Saturday’s rematch.
Friday, Feb. 14 Victoria, PISE Women 6pm Men 8pm
Saturday, Feb. 15 Nanaimo, VIU Women 5pm Men 7pm
At Friday’s games, the Chargers will recognize fifth-year student-athletes Tyler Robertson (Men’s Golf), Katie Wayling (Women’s Volleyball) and Ty Moorman (Men’s Volleyball). Additionally, the Camosun Alumni Association will be on the third floor of PISE hosting a Meet and Greet for Chargers Alum. While Vitor and Håkon won’t be attending, the Chargers send them all the best on their overseas adventures.
