This month, we are thrilled to spotlight the Siyam Family, a dynamic trio of siblings who have become a vital part of our Agalateya Sports Club community. Comprising two sisters and their brother, the Siyams have shown exceptional teamwork and dedication on the volleyball court. As active participants in our seasonal teams competing in the City league, they’ve demonstrated the unique bond that comes from playing together as a family. Tasneem Siyam has taken the lead in sharing their story, offering insights into their journey, experiences, and future plans with Agalateya Sports Club.
How did the three of you first get involved with volleyball, and what has your journey been like together?
We come from a family that has always appreciated sports. Growing up, I was an active child, participating in running and basketball tournaments at school. I also played tennis and took up swimming as a hobby from an early age. My interest in volleyball began many years ago when my older sister joined a community league in Oakville. Knowing my love for sports, she encouraged me to try volleyball. She taught me the basics, and we started playing together for fun in outdoor parks. Over time, I became very fond of the sport.
Aya played soccer in high school, earning numerous awards that highlighted her achievements. She continued her athletic pursuits in university, where she played volleyball and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Moodie is an all-star when it comes to sports. He plays various sports, including tennis, soccer, and volleyball.
However, it wasn’t until we joined Agalateya Sports Club and started participating in competitive community leagues that our passion for volleyball truly blossomed. This motivated us to improve our skills and consider playing volleyball at a more professional level.
Even though we are playing for recreation, the competitive nature of the games organized by the club and those held as part of the league challenged us to elevate our game. The thrill of victory and the desire to outperform ourselves every time we played constantly motivated us to develop our skills further.
I joined Agalateya’s intermediate team in the winter of 2023. At that time, they were recruiting male players with intermediate skills, and I knew my brother Moodie would be interested because of his love for sports, including volleyball. I encouraged him to join, and he did. I also suggested that my sister, Aya—Moodie’s twin—join the team when they were recruiting intermediate female players for the fall of 2023.
So far, Moodie and I have participated in four community leagues with Agalateya Sports Club, while Aya has participated in three. The three of us are still going strong and enjoying every moment of it.
How do you support and motivate each other both on and off the court?
We are a very close-knit family, having grown up with a strong bond and a protective sentiment for one another. We share similar values in life, which extend to our approach to sports: always give it our best effort, never let anyone else determine our worth, believe that practice makes perfect, and remember that even if we lose, we still have each other.
As a family, who are your sports role models or inspirations, and why?
My dad has always been passionate about sports. He is an excellent swimmer and played various sports in his youth and as an adult, including tennis, badminton, water polo, and soccer. Even now, he remains physically fit and pursues his own fitness goals, such as achieving 100 heart points on his Apple Watch or walking 10,000 steps daily. We’re all lucky to have inherited his love for sports and his ability to excel in anything that requires physical fitness.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Agalateya community as a family?
We most enjoy the culture of being around people who share similar interests, backgrounds, a love for sports, and good values. Agalateya has successfully brought together individuals with a passion for sports, creating a vibrant community that promotes an active lifestyle and brings out the best in everyone. After all, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.
Are there any challenges you’ve faced while playing together as siblings, and how have you overcome them as a family?
The positives of playing together as siblings far outweigh any negatives. The only challenge we’ve faced is occasionally missing games due to family events, which made it a bit difficult to find substitutes for our matches.
Besides volleyball, which other sports offered by Agalateya are you interested in trying as a family?
Besides volleyball, we’re interested in trying a few other sports offered by Agalateya as a family. Basketball appeals to us because of its competitive yet fun nature, and the fact that it requires agility and coordination, which we enjoy. Additionally, cycling could be a fun sport for us to explore together given its popularity and the fitness it offers.
What advice would you give to other families looking to join Agalateya and play sports together?
We encourage anyone who wants to lead an active lifestyle, live healthily, and make meaningful connections with like-minded individuals to join Agalateya Sports Club. Meeting people who share similar interests makes playing sports and staying physically active so much more enjoyable. It’s a win-win situation—good for your body, mind, and soul.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, both as individuals and as a team?
Our goal as a team is to bring out the best in each other during games, to build strength and unity, maintain strong team dynamics, and play cohesively. Ultimately, we aim to win all our games and, hopefully, the league.
On a personal level, we strive to become more physically active, improve our volleyball skills, and develop the mental strength needed to perform well in games and under pressure.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, whose support makes it possible for us to expand this active community. Thank you for being a crucial part of the Agalateya community!
Proud of you teammates 💙 👏