Being captain of the Durham Lords women’s volleyball team is giving Brooke Young skills on the court that are also helping her prepare for a career as a nurse.
Young is a third-year student in the Collaborative Nursing program at Ontario Tech University.
When she was chosen to be captain, she felt honoured. The previous captain, Jessica Joensen, was someone she admired.
“I was just very honoured to then be able to take over that role and position,” says Young.
Teammate Jessica Docherty joined when Young was already captain. She says being on a team with her is amazing because she always feels supported by Young.
“She’d be the first one to cheer,” says Docherty about how Young supports her during games.
Docherty says Young has many qualities that make her a great team captain, such as being communicative, genuine and kind.
“She has helped me just be able to share my feelings openly,” says Docherty. “She doesn’t let you hold on to things that are dragging you down. She’s like, OK, you’re free to talk. This is a free space.”
Off the court, Young has begun to see how being a volleyball captain has shaped her as a nursing student.
She has gained more confidence which has allowed her to step out of her comfort zone, such as when she’s talking to nurses during her clinical rotations.
In nursing labs where someone has to take on roles such as the nurse or patient, she volunteers to go first when her classmates are too shy.
Young says it’s important to have nursing leaders within the class and in units in the hospital.
“It’s good to have somebody who can kind of be there and guide you through a little bit and help you out and be a support for you,” she says.
Docherty says the skills developed from Young’s leadership role in volleyball will help in her nursing career.
“With sports, you have that drive and you have that want to be better. And that is crucial for such a loaded job like nursing,” says Docherty. “Knowing how to balance your time and know when you need to break, and knowing your limits is a huge thing.”
Head coach Tony Clarke says varsity student athletes gain transferable skills which can help them transition into the workforce.
“Their time management skills are very, very good, and they’re able to divide and conquer and be successful because it is a lot to be a student athlete,” says Clarke.
This is Young’s fifth season and she has become the team’s all-time career assists leader.
She has one year left of nursing school before she graduates and looks forward to a final season with the team next year.