Even though Claire didn’t grow up in BC, her impact on the sport in this province is Hall of Fame worthy. She grew up in Manitoba where she had an unbelievable post-secondary career winning CISU with the University of Manitoba Bisons, winning gold at the Canada Games in 1971 and being named University of Manitoba Athlete of the Year in 1972-73.

It was shortly after Claire moved to Vancouver to train with the national team. She was a valuable member of Canada’s National and Olympic Women’s Team when the team competed in numerous North/Central/South American, World Cup and World Championships, the 1975 Pan-American Games, numerous South Asian and Eastern Europe competitions, culminating in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.  Following her National Team retirement in 1976, Claire and some of her National Team members competed on the senior women’s club team, winning several national championships. Claire also secured a job at Eric Hamber Secondary School in Vancouver where she would coach boys and girls volleyball for over 30 years until her retirement. In total, she coached over 50 different high school teams, coaching them from grade 8 to grade 12, leading many of them to the High School Provincials Championships.

It was well known the club system in Vancouver was not as strong as other parts of the province so Claire, along with the help of names like Doug Reimer, Boriz Tyzuk, Dave Chevreau, George and Susie Neufeld, and Mike Rockwell and others started up Thunder Volleyball Club in 2000. Claire’s been the President of the club for over 20 years and helped make Thunder one of the most successful volleyball clubs in the province. The club has won multiple Provincial and National Club Championships and produced many great athletes that have gone on the represent Canada and play internationally.