Meet the Athlete

meet the athlete beach ready for sun, sand, and to serve

Life-long member Michaela Jefferson sets her sights on the Peach State to play beach volleyball at Georgia State University

Michaela Jefferson was raised in Vancouver and has been a member of The Arbutus Club since she was born. Like so many of our adolescent members, recreational activities have always been an important part of her life. From participating on teams at West Point Grey Academy to extracurricular programs at the Club, Michaela developed a fervor for sports and a particular talent in volleyball. Currently completing her first year of studies at UBC, Michaela has set her sights on a move south of the border. Next year, she will transfer to Georgia State University to play NCAA Division 1 Beach Volleyball. We asked Michaela about participating in beach volleyball, how the Club has enabled her to pursue professional sports, and what her goals are for the near future. What has been your participation at the Club? I’ve been a member of the Club through my family ever since I was born - 18 years. I participated in gymnastics for five years, competing at the highest level offered by the Club. I also did the morning volleyball practices with Jeff Ross for a few years and personal training with Yves. Now, I workout at the Club regularly.

When did you first start playing volleyball? My first time playing volleyball was on the grade five school team. A couple of years later, I began to play beach volleyball during the summers. I played many sports growing up, but volleyball quickly became my favourite. After starting high school, I began to lose interest in the other sports I was playing, and around the end of my grade 10 year, I decided to focus solely on beach volleyball. I knew I wanted to pursue a career beyond high school and see where I could go with it.

Tell us about your journey to join the University of Georgia, NCAA Division 1 for Beach Volleyball next year? Volleyball has always been one of the most important things in my life and I could never see myself stopping after high school. By the end of grade ten, I knew I wanted to play beach volleyball in university and set a goal for myself to be recruited to an NCAA Division 1 program. However, not long after, the pandemic started. COVID-19 was undoubtedly a massive obstacle in my journey. I was unable to practise, go to the gym, compete, or travel to any recruiting events. It was a discouraging time, but I did what I could and found ways to train and practice on my own or in small groups. I was in contact with various coaches and programs throughout the pandemic, but nothing could move forward until I was able to travel and play in person. When the travel restrictions were lifted in the summer of 2021, I immediately headed down to the U.S. and spent a month there playing in tournaments, visiting schools, and trying to be recruited. Although I was very late to the process compared to other athletes my age, I managed to achieve my goal and received an offer from Georgia State University in the fall of 2021. My recruitment process and overall journey as an athlete have taught me so many valuable lessons that will serve me forever.

Meet the Athlete

What is your favourite part of playing beach volleyball? Beach volleyball is a unique sport in which it’s just you and your partner on the court. Your coach is only allowed to talk to you before the match and during timeouts, so identifying what’s working and what’s not is completely up to you and your partner. The game goes quickly, so the trust you need to put in each other for feedback and impromptu changes is vital. The bond and connection you establish with your partner is so cool and unlike any sport I’ve played.

How has your experience with the programs at The Arbutus Club helped you in your goal of pursuing university beach volleyball? Gymnastics at the Club was foundational to my success as an athlete. It was the first sport I fully committed to and I am so grateful to have competed and trained with such a wonderful group of girls and coaching staff. They made the environment fun and driven, which inspired me to work hard. Our coaches supported us but also pushed us hard even though we were young. Seeing my teammates in the gym every night working hard showed me what determination and commitment looks like. The strength and flexibility required as a gymnast also served me in every other sport I played as a kid. Almost 6 years later, I am still using some of the stretches and exercises I was taught in gymnastics. My time with The Arbutus Club team was truly rudimental in my athletic career and I am so thankful to have had such an amazing experience.

What are your goals for 2023? During my year at UBC, I set the goal of increasing my time in the weight room. I had been lifting to supplement my volleyball practices for a while, but I had never devoted enough time. It’s difficult to find practice opportunities in the winter, so this goal has been essential for me to stay in shape this year. So far, I have been lifting way more than in previous years and I am already seeing a lot of progress. However, I still have a long way to go. I plan to continue working towards this goal in 2023 so that I can be as prepared as possible when I leave for GSU.

What is the key to perseverance in sports? I believe that finding a way to create your own opportunities and taking advantage of the opportunities available to you is key to perseverance in sports. During the pandemic and all the obstacles it presented, I was given the choice to persevere or give up on my recruitment process. It would have been easy to give up, but I decided to continue. The only way I was able to carry on was by taking matters into my own hands. I did so by putting together my own tournaments for my teammates and I, turning my garage into a gym, and taking advantage of everything I could. This was instrumental to my success and is important to keep in mind regardless of the pandemic’s effects. ♦

Know a member that is a hard working athlete and uses our facilities to train? Let us know.

Contact Communications team at communications@arbutusclub.com with a brief description on why they should be featured.

NEWYEAR