Circa 1996

Our History

Smashing Bananas is about learning to play and compete at a higher level. The Prince Albert Volleyball Club Smashing Bananas was founded by Don Laing and Terry Springett in January 1996 as an attempt to increase the level of play of boys' volleyball in Prince Albert. Initially, the club was very small in size only offering 3 teams a season Bantam (14U), Midget (16U) and Juvenile (18U). As the level of play has increased over the years in the Prince Albert area, the number of athletes and number of teams has also increased.   

The Smashing Bananas have been successful at Provincial and National Competitions over the years. Teams regularly attend Volleyball Canada National Championships are quite successful despite our community's small size compared to the larger centers that we compete against during competition. The top finishes of our club at National Championships are indicated below.  

1996 - Midget Team (16U) - 7th place at Midget Western Canadian Championships in Victoria, B.C. 

1997- Midget Team (16U)  - Gold Medal at Midget Western Canadian Championships in Brandon, MB 

1998 - Juvenile Team (18U) - 6th Place at Juvenile Nationals in Vancouver, B.C. 

1999 - Juvenile Team (18U) - 6th Place at Juvenile Nationals in St. Johns' , NL  

2000 - Midget Team (16U) - 7th Place at Midget Western Canadian Open in Calgary, AB 

2001 - Midget Team (16U) - Silver Medal at Midget Western Canadian Open in Calgary, AB 

2003 - Midget Team (16U) - Bronze Medal at Midget Western Canadian Open in Calgary, AB 

2004 - Midget Team (16U) - 5th Place at Midget Western Canadian Open in Calgary, AB 

2007 - 14U Boys -5th Place at 14U  Western Canadian Open in Saskatoon, SK 

 When boys' volleyball was a sport at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, they were Gold medalists 3 times: 1998 in Nipawin, 2002 in Humboldt, and 2006 in Melfort Sask Winter Games Champions!