Who gets the opportunity to play volleyball?

In this episode of the Coach Chijo Podcast, Coach Chijo sits down with Coach Johnitta Clemons, Director of Volleyball at Game Day Sports Academy (GSA) in Bakersfield, California, for a powerful conversation about diversity, accessibility, and the future of volleyball.

Coach Clemons shares how GSA has built one of the most diverse volleyball communities in California and discusses the barriers many families face when trying to access club volleyball. From fundraising and transportation challenges to creating opportunities through programs like Starlings Volleyball, this conversation explores what it takes to make the sport available to more athletes.

The episode also takes a deeply personal turn as Coach Chijo shares his experience growing up in Japan, struggling to fit in, and how volleyball became the outlet that ultimately changed his life.

This conversation goes beyond volleyball. It's about opportunity, belonging, mentorship, resilience, and the impact coaches can have on young people.

In This Episode

• Coach Johnitta Clemons' volleyball journey
• Building a diverse volleyball community
• The cost of club volleyball and access challenges
• How fundraising can help athletes participate
• The mission of Starlings Volleyball
• Transportation and socioeconomic barriers in youth sports
• Why representation matters
• Coach Chijo's personal story growing up in Japan
• How volleyball can change and even save lives
• Coaching with purpose and heart

Mentioned in This Episode

• Game Day Sports Academy (GSA)
• Saving Destiny Youth Foundation
• Starlings Volleyball

In this episode of the Coach Chijo Podcast, Coach Chijo sits down with Coach Kristen, Director of Tuba City Volleyball, Head Coach at Tuba City High School, physical therapist, wife, mother, and community leader on Navajo Nation.

Coach Kristen shares her journey from helping Tuba City High School win its first-ever Arizona state championship in 2012 to now leading the next generation of athletes in her community. The conversation explores the realities of growing up and playing sports on the reservation, the challenges of limited resources and long travel distances, and why athletics can be life-changing for young people.

They also discuss coaching philosophy, mentorship, communication, building confidence, and how great coaches help athletes succeed both on and off the court.

This is a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, service, and the impact one coach can have on a community.

Topics Discussed

• Growing up on Navajo Nation
• Winning Tuba City's first state championship in 2012
• The evolution of club volleyball in northern Arizona
• Long travel distances for practices and competitions
• Why sports are so important in reservation communities
• Finding confidence and learning to communicate
• The coaches who helped shape Coach Kristen's life
• Building a volleyball program from the ground up
• Coaching beyond wins and losses
• Teaching life skills through sports
• The need for more facilities and opportunities for athletes
• Giving back to the community that raised you

Coach Blase has coached volleyball for nearly 50 years, including serving as Head Coach of the Australian Women's National Team. Today, he's coaching 12U and 15U athletes and helping develop the next generation of players.

In this episode of the Coach Chijo Podcast, we discuss what great coaching really looks like, why player development starts with self-awareness, and how coaches can create environments where athletes learn, grow, and enjoy the game.

Coach Blase shares stories from his coaching journey, lessons learned from international volleyball, thoughts on leadership, dealing with difficult situations, coaching burnout, and the importance of keeping volleyball fun.

Topics include:

• Coaching the Australian Women's National Team
• Why he now coaches 12U volleyball
• What coaches should look for at tryouts
• Building confidence and resilience in athletes
• Leadership on and off the court
• Helping players learn through discovery
• Managing pressure from parents and expectations
• Why great coaches coach for their players
• The surprising case against pepper

This episode is full of practical insights for coaches, players, and volleyball families looking to get more out of the game.

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Just GO!