Kerrie Buchberger, a Métis volleyball icon with roots in Russell and Langenburg, has been inducted into the Manitoba Indigenous Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Known for her remarkable career as both an athlete and coach, Kerrie represented Canada at the 1996 Summer Olympics, played professional volleyball in Europe, and has dedicated much of her career to giving back to the sport she loves. She is currently the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE), where she continues to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes.
Growing Up in Langenburg: The Early Years
Kerrie grew up in Langenburg where she spent most of her childhood. She also spent many summers in Shellmouth with her grandparents, experiences that would shape her both as an athlete and as a person. “Coming from a small town had a lot of benefits. You got to play pretty much every sport that was offered,” Kerrie reflected. “I spent a lot of time outdoors with my two older brothers, and I think that’s where I developed my competitiveness. I wasn’t going to let them beat me if at all possible.”
The local area provided Kerrie with the opportunities to try different sports, and it was here that her love for volleyball began to take root.
A Volleyball Career That Spans Continents
Kerrie’s volleyball career took off at the age of 15 when she chose to attend a volleyball camp in Langenburg instead of a figure skating camp. “I decided to attend the volleyball camp to see what it was all about, and most of the skills came pretty easy to me,” she recalled. Shortly after, she attended an identification camp for the provincial team, and from there, her journey continued.
Kerrie played for Team Saskatchewan from 1986 to 1989, winning a gold medal at the 1989 Canada Games, and later played for the University of Regina from 1988 to 1991, where she was a three-time Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) All-Star. She went on to play for the Canadian National Women’s Volleyball Team from 1991 to 1998, and in 1996, she became a member of the first Canadian women’s volleyball team to qualify for the Olympic Games. After her time with the national team, Kerrie continued her professional career in Europe, playing in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France for five years.
In 2018, Kerrie was inducted into the Saskatchewan Volleyball Hall of Fame, and now, her achievements have earned her a place in the Manitoba Indigenous Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024.
The Lifelong Impact of Sport
Throughout her career, Kerrie learned invaluable lessons from sports, many of which have carried over into her life and coaching. “There are so many things you learn from sport that transfer over into your regular life,” she said. “The ability to set goals, work hard to achieve them, work with others, manage time, develop healthy lifestyle habits, and persevere when things are tough are all lessons that are so important in life.”
Kerrie has continued to be involved in volleyball long after her playing days ended, both as a coach and as an advocate for youth. “Sport offers so many life lessons. You learn resilience, discipline, and teamwork, which are qualities you carry with you in all areas of your life,” she shared. As the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at Concordia University of Edmonton, Kerrie strives to instill these values in her athletes, encouraging them to grow both on and off the court.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Kerrie’s influence reaches beyond her own playing career. She’s invested in the development of future generations of athletes. “Watching my daughters play post-secondary volleyball brings me so much joy,” she said. Both of Kerrie’s daughters play volleyball at the post-secondary level, and seeing them experience high-level competition reminds her of the opportunities she had when she was their age.
Megan Kowalchuk, a former Langenburg teammate who was the setter for Kerrie for 3 years, relayed a story about how Kerrie wrote a letter to her years after their playing days and the appreciation she continued to have for those who she played with who taught her lessons throughout the years.
Kerrie’s commitment to youth development extends beyond her role at CUE. She also serves as the head coach of the Canadian Indigenous U20 Women’s Team and previously coached the Alberta Indigenous U19 Women’s Team.
Kerrie’s induction into the Manitoba Indigenous Sports Hall of Fame is part of a broader recognition of Indigenous excellence in sports. The Class of 2024 also included Terry Fox (Métis) as an Athlete/Builder. Ida (Clemons) Sutherland (Peguis First Nation) under the category of Athlete/Volleyball, Kerry Goulet (Métis) as an Athlete/Hockey, and Multi-sport Builder Norbert Ross of Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation).
Kerrie expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her career. She said, “There are so many people who have helped me along the way, from my coaches to the businesses that supported me so I could get to Regina for practices. If it wasn’t for all of them, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I did”.
“It’s such an honor to be recognized in this way,” she said of her Hall of Fame induction. “But, my work isn’t done. I hope to continue making an impact on the next generation of athletes.”