Red Deer's Tyson DeZutter has worked for this opportunity since he first started playing volleyball.
Last week the Grade 10 student from Lindsay Thurber High School was named to the 2024 Volleyball Canada U19 team and will compete on the international stage.
"I'm super excited to wear the maple leaf on my chest," he said. "I'm just really excited to play with such a great group of guys and try to qualify for the world championships."
To make the team DeZutter had to apply online with both a game video and a highlight video. He was also scouted at a tournament in Calgary featuring the best young players in the province and the coaching staff was impressed with his talent.
"I've really always wanted to represent my country in any way possible. When I saw the opportunity come up I just said to myself that I wanted to get my name out there. I wanted to see if I had an opportunity to play for this team and I got that opportunity. I'm super excited about it."
He is a week away from his first practice with Team Canada before they fly out to Puerto Rico for the 2024 Boys NORCECA Continental Championship from May 12-20.
While there he'll compete against the U19 male teams from across the world for a chance to qualify for the U19 World Championship, which takes place sometime next year. The organizers have yet to announce a date or location for the tournament.
DeZutter, who plays outside hitter, helped lead the Lindsay Thurber Raiders senior boys volleyball team to a 4A Zone Championship title earlier this year over the Notre Dame Cougars and a bronze finish at provincials.
"I really enjoy playing outside because you get a mix of everything. You get to pass, get to swing, block, serve, so it's really a combination of every skill in volleyball," DeZutter said.
He's now focused on playing club volleyball for the U18 Central Alberta Kings who are currently undefeated after over approximately 30 games. The season started in December and will wrap up in May with the provincial championship set for this weekend in Calgary.
They'll also head to nationals at the end of the month in Edmonton to compete against some of the top clubs in Canada.
"We've got a great team this year so I think we should have a good chance to go all the way," he added.