TEAM FEATURE: 55+ Masters Volleyball (3 Spikes You're Out!)
When a dedicated volleyball team decides to take their game to the next level, they don't just practice their serves—they hit the CrossFit floor. A tight-knit group of athletes has been training together at CrossFit CL (CFCL). They are using functional fitness to build the power, endurance, and strength needed to dominate the upcoming Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah this October.
Here is the complete story of their journey so far, in their own words.
Meet the Mastermind Behind the Movement
Every great team story starts with a spark. For this crew, that spark was Paula Toovey.
As a physiotherapist, an active multi-sport athlete, and a woman in her mid-50s, Paula knew it was time to prioritize heavy strength training. Initially, she admitted she was "scared of getting hurt." However, she quickly realized that the gym was exactly what she needed to manage a nagging shoulder injury and level up her volleyball game.
Once she saw the results, she knew she couldn't keep them to herself. She pitched a brilliant idea to her +55 Masters volleyball team (3 Spikes You're Out!) and Thursday night league members: Why not train for the Huntsman Games together? Thanks to her vision, a powerhouse crew of seven athletes was born.
Meet the Athletes
Paula Toovey: The Ring Leader and Active Physio
Outside the Gym: Paula runs At Your Door Physio. She fills her life with volleyball, pickleball, mountain biking, dance, waterskiing, surfing, and gardening.
Something Surprising: Paula lives and thrives with only one kidney!
Favorite Movements: Anything on the gym rig, rope climbs, and gymnastics movements because they remind her of "being a kid on the monkey bars."
Personal Goals: To keep waterskiing on a single ski until she is 60, to master a 10-step handstand walk, and to build her physio business so she can hire her friends.
Kathy Brinkmeier: The Resilient Entrepreneur
Outside the Gym: Kathy has owned Hygeia Health Market for 15 years and is passionate about holistic health. She is an avid outdoor lover who also curls, golfs, and plays pickleball.
The Catalyst: She joined immediately after her teammate Paula suggested it.
First Impressions: "I was nervous—not sure what to expect."
Proudest Moment: Crushing a 5 km row much easier than she anticipated.
Words of Wisdom: "The only competition you have is with yourself. Each week you get a bit stronger."
Lonetta Perry: The Comeback Competitor
Outside the Gym: Lonetta is a teacher, a mom of two boys (ages 17 and 19), and a multi-sport athlete who loves hockey, pickleball, spikeball, and board games.
First Impressions: Lonetta actually tried CrossFit 17 years ago but found it felt too competitive and anxiety-inducing. This time? "I felt supported by my team and coaches. I felt like I was only competing against myself."
The Mindset: She uses her gym journey to inspire her own household. "I’m trying to eat healthier and motivate my family to create good exercise habits."
Kristine Waddell: The Analytical Athlete
Outside the Gym: Kristine works as a data analyst and project manager. To break up long hours sitting at a desk, she heads outdoors with her partner and two dogs, or hits the court and ice playing volleyball, hockey, and slo-pitch.
First Impressions: "It's been a mix of fun and frustrating, haha!"
Inspirational Figures: Kristine credits the amazing coaching staff—Jason, Justis, and Nora—for keeping her motivated every week.
Shelley Froese: The Inspiring Thriver
Outside the Gym: Shelley works as an Educational Assistant in the public school division and a casual employee for the Saskatoon Public Library. Her hobbies include crocheting, reading, gardening, hiking, and kayaking.
Something Surprising: Shelley is a proud 16-year breast cancer survivor and thriver!
First Impressions: "I was apprehensive about joining, but with the encouragement of Paula and having a team-building focus, I have persevered."
Laura Cherewyk: The High-Impact Specialist
Outside the Gym: Laura works as a Specialist Land Payment with BHP Canada Inc. She loves spending time outdoors with her husband and son, and stays highly active playing slo-pitch, volleyball, pickleball, and ping pong.
First Impressions: Unlike the initial nerves of the others, Laura was purely intrigued. "I was excited to see how it differed from other gym options."
The Mindset: Keeping her eyes on the prize drives her forward. "My goals of being a better athlete and knowing others are waiting for me there [keep me motivated]."
Tammy Jackson
Building On-Court Power Through CrossFit
Overcoming Hurdles and Injury
Functional fitness brings unique mental and physical challenges for everyone. For Kristine, the hurdle was grasping complex movements, while Paula has to spend extra time warming up her knees to accommodate front squats. Lonetta and Kathy had to push past initial gym nerves and the intense pacing of AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) workouts.
However, the payoff has been massive. For Paula, CrossFit has completely ended the cycle of re-injuring her right shoulder every time she plays. For Laura, the results are equally undeniable: "Previous years my back and shoulder would be sore after a ball game. I played a tournament this year and had no issues!"
Real-World Stamina
The intense workouts are paying off massively—both on the volleyball court and in everyday life. From Shelley turning her garden soil in one single go rather than taking hours, to Kathy absolutely crushing a 5 km row, functional fitness is transforming their daily stamina. Paula even notes that she has far more energy to transfer clients safely at her physiotherapy job.
The Power of the Team Pack
The secret to this group's consistency is pure team accountability. Whether it is Paula cheering on her squad's progress, Lonetta pushing past burpee anxiety, or Shelley relying on a friendly carpool ("It helps to have Laura drive me to CF! 😆"), nobody trains alone.
If this squad got to design their ultimate, collective Workout of the Day (WOD), it would feature a wild mix of front squats, heavy sled pushes, rowers, core work, pull-ups, deadlifts, and rope climbs. Shelley even has the perfect nickname for their training mindset: "Stoodis"—slang stenciled on her friend’s kayak meaning "Let's do this!" 😉
Fueling the Fire with Darian Kotchera
Powering through heavy sled pushes and intense AMRAPs requires more than just physical grit—it requires the right fuel. That is where resident coach and Dietician Darian Kotchorek comes in. Darian works closely with the team to align their nutrition with their training schedule, helping the team unlock a whole new level of on-court (and off) stamina.
Destination: The Huntsman World Senior Games
With October creeping closer, this powerhouse group is turning sweat into synchronization. They are centering their days around the five core health factors (Eat, Sleep, Move, Think, Connect) and building an unbreakable athletic foundation.
As they prepare to pack their bags for Utah, Paula sums up the team's gratitude perfectly: "Well done Jason, team and community—you guys know how to work hard, have fun, and root for each other."
What advice would Paula give to anyone sitting on the fence about starting their own journey at CrossFit CL?
"Try it for 3 months and then talk to me."
Interested in team training? Reach out to jason@crossfitcl.com.