by David Larkins

Brandonite Konrad Plante stood on a sideline recently in Red Deer, Alta., and what he saw reminded him of home. As Plante coached his Keyano College men’s volleyball team, he looked down the sideline and saw Glenboro’s Daryl Ford coaching against him with the Lakeland Rustlers in an Alberta college exhibition tournament last month.

And then he looked out on the floor.

"There was a point where we had 10 kids on the floor from Manitoba,” Plante said. “It was interesting to see four or five kids I know from rural Manitoba.” And if Plante and Ford have their way, that vision won’t be just a flash in the pan — it will be the status quo.

Manitobans have never been strangers to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association, as athletes see the league as a viable place to keep playing if the Canadian Interuniversity Sport option isn’t immediately forthcoming. As head coaches, however, Plante and Ford have the wherewithal to assist the exodus of Manitobans west to the ACAC.

“I think with Daryl and I being out here, it’s something that should happen,” Plante said in a phone interview from his office in Fort McMurray, Alta. “... Any of those kids who could play, instead of watching on the bench for their local university, I think would be a benefit to both programs.”

Ford says the fact Alberta colleges can offer tuition money to their athletes also makes it an enticing option. At the end of the day, however, recruiting to Lloydminster, Alta., will always provide challenges and Ford, just a couple of months into his job, realizes that other avenues need to be explored.

“For a lot of the Alberta kids they want to stay in Edmonton and Calgary,” Ford said. “... Schools like Lakeland and Keyano, you have to be looking a little farther afield to find some kids to come and play for you.” Ford has a slew of Westman athletes on his roster: Elton graduate Brady Dinwoodie is joined by Crocus Plains grad Darcy Geseron, Roblin’s Michael Hunter, Newdale’s Joel Walker and Virden’s Nick Williams.

Plante brought one of his previous pupils at Crocus — middle blocker Vince McFadyen — and the 6-foot-3 freshman is now among the ACAC leaders in stuff blocks. Medicine Hat College has four locals — Brandonites Garrett Popplestone and Jarrett Bardal, as well as former BU Bobcat redshirts Cal Vanderschuit of Onanole and Elton grad Stephen Stiff.

“I think it’s an excellent grooming tool. It gives them a chance to actually play,” Ford said. “Their options if they go somewhere like the Bobcats, if they’re not ready to step in and play, they’re going to be either on the bench quite a bit or redshirting. ... You’re looking at Cal Vanderschuit and Steve Stiff and for them this has been an invaluable experience.”

On the women’s side, Brandonite Tawny Dillabough is playing for the NAIT Ooks in Edmonton.

“It’s a huge leap to go from high school to university and even in college these guys are realizing the calibre of play in the ACAC,” Plante said. “How many teams in the ACAC go and play in university tournaments? More and more because we’re becoming a very competitive (league).”

David Larkins is a Brandon Sun sports reporter. dlarkins@brandonsun.com. This article is reprinted with permission.