Richmond Olympic Oval part of Vision for Best-in-the-World Training Environment
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Women’s National Team Training Centre Bid Committee announced today that the Richmond Olympic Oval would be the centerpiece of a bid to bring the Canadian Women’s National Volleyball Team to BC in 2017. The Women’s National Volleyball Team Training Centre is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Volleyball Canada’s official ‘request for submissions’ to host the National Team is anticipated to be distributed in June 2014 with host city selection announcement by September, 2015.
“We believe that Richmond is the optimal home for the Canadian Women’s National Volleyball team in 2017, offering excellent holistic athlete development in a world class training facility, that is situated in a city that can also serve the needs of the athletes off the court,” said Chris Densmore, Executive Director, Volleyball BC. “We are committed as an organization to foster the development of Volleyball in BC. Exposure to the sport at its highest level for British Columbians will significantly contribute to that mission.”
Members of the public and BC’s volleyball community can get involved in the bid by going to www.bringtheteam.ca. Here, visitors are encouraged to use Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word and grow momentum for BC to become the home of the Women’s National Team. The BC Bid Committee – consisting of Volleyball BC, the Richmond Olympic Oval, and the Pacific Volleyball Society – is also looking for volunteers to help with fundraising, sponsorship, media and promotions. Should the bid be successful, there will be even more opportunities to support the team.
“Since opening in September of 2010, the Oval’s Volleyball Centre of Excellence has helped over 50 athletes who have played for their province, post-secondary school, or the Junior National Team”, says John Mills, Chief Operating Officer. “The co-location of developing athletes and national team members will strengthen Canada’s volleyball system, improving international results in the short term and for years to come.”
Multiple BC communities expressed interest in hosting the Team, but the City of Richmond and the Richmond Olympic Oval were selected as the best able to achieve the Women’s National Team Training Centre vision to create an environment where top Canadian female athletes can achieve their competitive sport goals while successfully pursuing their long-term personal objectives in a best-in-the-world training environment. However, with so many locations and facilities able to offer support to the Bid, the Bid Committee is endeavouring to submit a true Made in BC bid, including communities that were not selected as the primary host city.
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About the Richmond Olympic Oval
The Richmond Olympic Oval and its Community Legacy Program provide sport, health and fitness activities, skill development pathways and role-model leadership to all ages and skill levels, contributing to the improved health and wellness of the community and to the international success of athletes wearing the maple leaf.
About Volleyball BC
Volleyball BC is a non-profit organization that actively encourages participation and fosters the development of Volleyball in BC. With a mission to make volleyball accessible to all British Columbians, VBC offers programs for athletes of all ages ranging from grassroots to high performance – as well as coaches and officials. For more information, log on to www.volleyballbc.org.
About Pacific Volleyball Society
The Pacific Volleyball Society is a non-profit organization devoted to the development of high performance athletes in the sport of volleyball.
Media Contact:
Aran Kay
Program Manager, Marketing and Communications
Richmond Olympic Oval
Tel: 778.296.1441 Cell: 604.346.7697
Email: [email protected]