Provincial association to induct five new members

The Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association will be inducting five new members into its Hall of Fame today.

Athlete Sue Rendell and builders Bill Thistle, Derek Strickland, Bob Alcock and Bruce Cocker will be inducted at the NLVA’S awards banquet 5:30 p.m. today at the Capital Hotel in St. John’s. It’s being held in conjunction with the association’s annual general meeting.

Sue Rendell

Rendell was a Memorial University standout, who also played for the province’s 1979 Canada Games team and in the junior and senior national championships. Her biggest claim to fame was earning a spot on the junior national team and competing in the Pacific Rim tournament in Hawaii, and in 1980, making the senior national team and training out of Ottawa. That team travelled to Europe for matches against club and national teams from Holland, West Germany, Belgium and the United States.

Bill Thistle

Thistle enjoyed a coaching and playing career spanning 48 years. A former all-star on the court, he coached Canada Games teams, and has been a long-time varsity coach at Memorial University. His 1980 MUN women’s team placed second in the Canadian junior championship. He also served as president of the provincial association, first elected at age 21.

Derek Strickland

Strickland has been involved with volleyball for 39 years, beginning his coaching career in 1982. He coached Newfoundland teams in three consecutive Canada Games cycles, and also coached Memorial’s varsity men’s team. In addition to coaching, Strickland has been a life-long official.

Bob Alcock

A former Memorial University MVP, Alcock coached male and female high school teams at Roncalli high in Avondale for 30 years, in every age group. A former NLVA coach of the year and Coaching Service Award winner, Alcock also coached boys’ and girls’ teams at national championships.

Bruce Cocker

A former star at the city and provincial levels, Cocker starting coaching volleyball in 1976 and continued through the 80s. He has been officiating since the mid 70s, and has refereed at countless provincial and national championships, including Canadian university championships and Canada Games. He was one of the original members of the Newfoundland Volleyball Board of Officials.