What is the newest craze at Senior Centers? Why it’s chair volleyball!
For many years, working with teenagers at camps and retreat experiences, one of my favorite group team development games was something I laughingly called, “Butt Volleyball” because everyone played while seated on their butts! It was fantastic fun, leveling the talents so everyone could play. Even a child with a physical limitation could become a great athlete helping their team to victory with this delightful spin on the game of volleyball.
Imagine my surprise to see it popping up all over in senior centers across the area. This great game has the same positive effect on older adults. All generations can enjoy playing this addictive game, find themselves having fun, increasing their abilities, and gaining upper body mobility.
“This is a fun and social way to stay moving,” said Amy Cummings, activity coordinator at Senior Services Associates in Yorkville. “Chair volleyball has really taken over the senior centers in this area,” she added. “So, we decided to put together a team, as well. The game is open to everyone and anyone. Unlike the original game of volleyball, chair volleyball requires participants to stay seated on a chair. The game is set-up as six-participant per side game. We serve a beachball and rotate players just like original volleyball. The biggest difference is the smiles and laughter as we try to stay seated, keeping the beachball in play! Everyone who has tried the game leaves smiling, and everyone gets along very well. One day, the group was having so much fun and was volleying back and forth, when suddenly one of the seniors hit the ball just right and popped the beachball! Everyone laughed. Many jokes were made about the senior not knowing his own strength,” she added.
Art Williams, of Yorkville has been involved with activities at the Beecher Center for several years. He enjoys bridge and now is on the chair volleyball team. “It has been fun trying to help Amy get the team started,” he said. “We just started about three months ago. I had watched them play chair volleyball at Oswegoland Senior Center and it looked fun. I asked Amy about getting it going. We have a small group, but we hope to encourage more people to play,” he said.
The chair volleyball team meets every Wednesday at 2 p.m. after bingo, to play four games, with each game lasting about 15 minutes. “The majority of our players are new to the game,” Art said. “The best part is the socialization and upper body exercise. We enjoy meeting new friends, and that keeps us young and active, and helps keep us healthy too,” he said. “It is a very enjoyable sport. A lot of people may not think they would be interested, but it so fun and addictive, and it is good for us! You can’t beat that,” he added.
Art said that no mention of the sport is complete without compliments to Bob Mattingly of Oswego, a well-loved retired high school coach and Illinois basketball hall of famer. “Bob helped us organize and acts as a coach and mentor to our team. He is very encouraging, and he helps us all a lot,” Art said.
Bob said he enjoys playing on the Senior Services team. “We get to use our reflexes and compete at a fun game that is very safe. At our ages, and I am 80, it is important to have such an outlet, and we laugh a lot!”
Amy concurred, “Chair volleyball is a great way to have fun and get in a little work out for the arms and core. I highly recommend this group especially if you are new and don’t know many people, because you will leave with friends! If you would like to join this group, just show up on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.,” she said, “Or call me for more details, at 630-553-5777. Chair volleyball is just one of many activities we offer at Senior Services.” Details of activities are also available online at www.seniorservicesassoc.org
Barb Nadeau is a freelance writer, whose career has spanned more than 10 years as a public relations professional, 22 years as a professional television and radio host, print journalist, and volunteer coordination professional. She enjoys networking among non-profit social service agencies and service providers throughout the state of Illinois. She is in her third term as an elected alderman in the City of Plano. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.