Team Ontario at Nipissing University

Nipissing University is hosting to the Ontario Volleyball Association’s (OVA’s) High Performance Centre (HPC), Canada Games and 18U Provincial Team training this summer, beginning July 2.The HPC is a weeklong camp for Ontario’s top 18U athletes taking place from July 2 – 7. Team Ontario’s 18U squad will be selected from the HPC and begin training on July 10. Their training leads up to the National Team Challenge Cup June 16 – 21 taking place in Winnipeg for the girls and Gatineau for the boys.
The Canada Games teams will train for five weeks, building towards the Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec from August 1 – 8. Both the Ontario 21U men’s and 20U women’s teams are looking to improve on their silver medals finishes earned in 2009.
“We are very impressed with everything Nipissing University has to offer. The courts are spacious, the workout facilities are first class, the residences are beautiful and the staff and community are very welcoming,” said Jason Trepanier, OVA technical director.
The Robert J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre has tripled in size over the past three years with phase two of the expansion expected to be completed by September. The expansion features new space for the Bachelor of Physical Health and Education program including classrooms, multipurpose space, labs and faculty offices. Other highlights include a spacious boardroom overlooking the gymnasium, team rooms, expanded change rooms, a weight room, training room, office s for staff and coaches and meeting space.
Nipissing University women’s volleyball coach Marc LaRochelle will be an assistant coach during HPC. Former men’s volleyball assistant coach Mike Lee was named assistant coach for the women’s provincial team and is returning to North Bay after spending the year in Saskatchewan.
“Nipissing University is very proud to be hosting such prestigious training events in our newly expanded athletic facilitie,” said director of athletics Vito Castiglione. “We look forward to welcoming the OVA and its athletes, coaches and parents to North Bay and we will do our very best to make this a memorable experience for all involved.”