Canberra Heat captain Rex Merewether says he’s thrilled to captain the side in 2024. Photos: Roy Meuronen Photography.
Playing sport at a state league level can be a long and intense process at the best of times.
However, the newest captain of the Canberra Heat Volleyball Club, Rex Merewether, cut down this process by being scouted by the team very early in his career.
Starting his volleyball journey in year 11, just six years ago, he joined the Australian National University volleyball team when he moved to the ACT.
“Canberra Heat approached me very early on after seeing me play a few games at uni. I started training through lockdown in any way I could,” Rex says.
“When they asked me to be captain this year, I was thrilled.”
Rex has been with the team for four years now and is one of the youngest players to ever be made captain, an opportunity he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s awesome to be part of such a great group of guys. We all get along really well.”
When it comes to the support of the community at the games, Rex says it doesn’t get much better than Canberra.
“We have a lot of people show up to our games. The dedication of the people who show up is just amazing,” Rex says.
Rex says his initial interest in volleyball was sparked by friends and teachers at his school. He’s grateful for their encouragement and ongoing support.
“I played basketball in the summer, so I was grateful to be able to transfer the skills I developed to the volleyball court,” Rex says.
“You have to be physically fit, but because it’s so collaborative, you need to communicate with your teammates throughout the game. You have to be mentally switched on, which is always a good thing.
“We’re a young team, which is great. We’ve got plenty of energy, and it will be a fun season,” Rex says.
Kim Vogel helps the Canberra Heat this volleyball season.
As the second year of the recently renamed Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League fast approaches, Canberra Heat middle blocker Kim Vogel reflects on her 6th season with the team.
“I started off as a sub with them in 2019, so when I got called up to play this year, I was thrilled,” Kim says.
“I had to try out a few years in a row, but my time training with them so far this year has been really rewarding.”
Kim says she loves playing for the Heat and thinks it’s a great experience for not only players but spectators as well.
“It’s a great atmosphere to be a part of. We all put 100 per cent into every game and I think the enthusiasm we have is contagious,” Kim says.
“We all love it so much and I think that shows when we play.
“We’ve got a great support system in Canberra so it’s always so exciting to see plenty of people show up at our home games.”
Kim has been playing the game for more than 12 years and says she loves the teamwork that comes with playing the sport she loves.
“It’s so great being part of a team; I have found that I have bonded exceptionally closely with every person I’ve ever played with, and it’s such a great feeling.”
“Every time we score a point, we come together for a group hug, and I feel like that’s pretty rare in team sports.”
The Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League kicks off on Saturday, 31 August. To purchase tickets and learn more about the Canberra Heat, visit Volleyball ACT.
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