Moes brothers cherishing court time together

By Lethbridge Herald on December 8, 2022.

Herald photo byJUSTIN SEWARD Nolan and Gavin Moes arenÕt afraid to discuss what they can do better on the court for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

By Justin Seward

Nolan is the middle sibling and in his third year, while Gavin signed on as  a rookie this year, and both brothers followed in the footsteps of their oldest brother Dylan, who played for the Kodiaks in 2019-2020.

“My brother came here earlier and it was kind of my dream to play with one of my siblings because I never got the chance to,” said Gavin.

“And Lethbridge is a very good team with a good environment and my brother happened to be on it. So that’s just how I ended up here.”

Coach Greg Gibos started recruiting the youngest Moes brother in Grade 10 and convinced Gavin to come down ,with the  factor of his brother being at LC already.

“They (my brothers) talked up the coaching staff very well and the environment here — and that’s something that’s really big for me is a very nice, welcoming environment,” said Gavin.

Gavin described it as a dream come true being able to represent a team playing together.

“And just showing everybody that two brothers on a court is something amazing, and we can put it together pretty well and we can perform at the highest level together,” said Gavin.

Gavin thinks it pretty nice having his older brother here because they can go home and talk about volleyball a lot and learn from each other.

“We’re not afraid to tell each other what we’re doing wrong,” said Gavin.

“It’s super fun just knowing that like he has my back; I have his back and that we always will. And it’s just something awesome that we can look at and learn from all the time.”

Nolan has played with both of his brothers now.

“All grown up, me and Dylan were the age a part where he would be in Grade 12 (and) I would be in Grade 10, so we did get a year to play together,” said Nolan.

“But me and Gavin were three years, so we never did cross paths and weren’t on the same team with anything. So I find it really cool to be able to share the court with him and watch him improve and see how good he’s going to be in the future.”

The brothers often chat about Gavin’s nerves with being the rookie

“Like being the rookie, I’ve been there, it’s nerve-wracking,” said Nolan.

“Like you overthink lots and I don’t know, I just talk to him lots. Like play the game like you can and be the best player you can. You know you’re good, so play like it and (it) kind of calms him down and gets him in a groove because he’s a good player.”

“The time spent together is very good because it won’t last forever,” said Nolan.

The Moes brothers mother is of Métis descent.

“We’re part Métis and we tend to bring that into our lives as we do a lot of hunting and fishing,” said Gavin.

“And just bringing that part of our culture into our lives, and it’s made a big impact on our family and our individual selves.”

Gavin said in sport, it opens a lot more opportunities doing special games.

“As this summer, I get to go to Halifax to play for the North American Indigenous Games,” he said.

“I think that’ll be super cool playing in my culture, but also playing for my province as well. So, that’s an opportunity that’s been open to me in sports,.”

Nolan said the indigenous community here at Lethbridge is very big and strong.

“And just recognizing my mom’s side of the family, that’s pretty awesome and pretty special,” said Nolan.

Both players want to win an championship together.