10/04/2020 17:00
VakifBank captain Melis supports youth players on lockdown through online chat
News from the clubs
Istanbul, Turkey, April 10, 2020. While their players are staying at home due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, the coaches of VakifBank’s youth team have set up regular conference calls to engage with them. The first of such calls featured a very prominent guest, the captain of VakifBank, Melis Gürkaynak. “We should all stay at home but you legally have to. I know it is a very difficult time for all of us but with the help of such online events, you are doing something very beautiful. As VakifBank, we are a very big family and I think you feel this too,” she said while addressing the younger members of the team.
Answering questions from the young players, Melis said, “It is very nice to come together with you. I know many of you, there are so many players I meet in the gym. None of us should leave their homes. You, on the other hand, have to stay at home compulsorily. However, by sticking together and spending some time together online, I am confident that we will overcome this crisis.”
While chatting with the rising stars of VakifBank, Gürkaynak recalled some memories from her early days with the youth team. “I have grown and developed through the youth team of VakifBank – just like you. I was a member of VakifBank in 2011, when we became the very first Turkish team to win the CEV Champions League. I have been wearing VakifBank’s jersey for some 20 years. Rest assured that you are always welcome to talk to us. You can ask us questions whenever you want. The more time you spend with us, the better for you because the sense of belonging develops your Volleyball character. Being a family requires this. If you are good, if you work hard, you will for sure get somewhere. You just have to keep working. We have all experienced stress and anxiety, but we have worked our way through that and focused on success. You should focus only on your work as well.”
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