King's Alumni continues professional volleyball career

Written by Chloe Balmer, King’s Communications Intern

Congratulations to Kelsey Veltman BA ‘19, former King’s student-athlete, who has signed a contract to continue her international professional volleyball career in Germany. Veltman’s first experience as a professional player was with Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia, a first division club in Italy, for the 2019/2020 season. She admits the experience was “a big learning curve” for her, and a great way to kick off her professional career. The season came to an abrupt halt in March, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shortly after the end of her season in Italy in May 2020, Veltman’s agent presented her with an opportunity to sign with Germany’s SC Potsdam first division team in May 2020. She accepted the offer right away.

“When we scouted her, everyone was very excited to be able to work with her,” says Guillermo Hernandez, Head Coach of SC Potsdam. It will be Veltman’s first time in Germany and she says she is eager to continue her career with another first division team and she hopes to continue playing for as long as possible.

In high school, Veltman played for Team Ontario and she eventually landed at King’s as the best place to pursue both her further education and her growth in the sport.

During her years at King’s, Veltman was awarded the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons. She also received several prestigious awards such as the F.W.P. Jones Trophy for greatest contribution to Intercollegiate Athletics at Western and a Purple Blanket for achieving superior distinction at the Provincial/National level of competition as a representative of Western.

Veltman says she continues to value friendships and memories gained through both King’s and Western Athletics. Her Western teammates relied on one another for motivation and friendship on and off the court, which she credits as playing a big part in her success.

“My experiences at King’s helped me a lot: I learned how to stay organized, communicate, and be a team player,” says Veltman.

Veltman credits her professors for being accommodating of overlaps with volleyball and academic demands, allowing her to achieve both her academic and athletic goals. Following her professional career, she intends to combine her passion for Disability Studies and to one day work with Paralympic athletes. She became inspired after working with athletes in wheelchairs during a summer position at Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, and she remarks that she can see herself working in a similar role in the future.

“I would love to take my degree in Disability Studies and do something involving sports. King’s has helped by offering programs like ‘Disability in Sports’ and providing amazing professors who have taught me so much” says Veltman.