Volleyball players from across Canada convened in Edmonton from July 25-27, to take on New Zealand’s Aotearoa Maori Poirewa for the All-Nations Volleyball Showcase, a unique tournament that combined competition with cultural exchange.

First established in 2024, the event was developed with the intent of strengthening bonds between the two nation’s Indigenous communities, bringing culture to the forefront.

“Tournaments like the All-Nations Showcase are where lifelong friendships are formed and where I get the chance to push myself and grow. These moments are what make the journey so rewarding,” shared Tanner Gallagher, second-place finisher with the men’s U18 All-Nations Team 2.

According to Gallagher, being surrounded by such high-level talent made the entire event unforgettable.

From coaches to athletes, the energy of the tournament was palpable. Even though Day One was the first opportunity for teams to interact, Gallagher recalls the 12 groups creating an electric atmosphere.

The Showcase only ran for two days, which left the teams with a tight timeline to build camaraderie before hitting the court.

For Bailey DeBussac — first-place finisher with the women’s U18 All-Nations Team 2 — the extra effort to create that connection made their victory that much sweeter.

“All the teams were strong, so really putting in an effort to win and competing like that, especially with a team that I didn’t know. We just kind of got right into it and started trying to play together and trying to mesh and it ended up going really good.”

Gallagher echoes DeBussac’s sentiment, stating how amazing it was for his team to come together with such intensity and heart, considering the limited time they had to prepare.

“We gave it our all every single match, and I’m proud of what we accomplished,” said Gallagher. “It really felt like we had been playing together for much longer than we actually had.”

Split across the six All-Nation teams, seven total Saskatchewan athletes were able to attend the tournament and represent the province.

While attending these types of events provide excellent opportunities for training and athlete development, there can be financial barriers due to cost, with DeBussac noting that travel can be expensive for many people.

However,  with support from Sask Sport’s Next Generation Indigenous Athlete Assistance Grant, funded by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation, the seven Saskatchewan’s  athletes who attended the Showcase were able to focus on the game without financial barriers playing a role.

“Receiving the Next Gen Grant played a huge role in making this experience possible. It allowed me to attend the Showcase without the burden of financial stress, and I’m truly grateful for that support,” said Gallagher.