Bob
Wright

The vision, passion, and ability to engage and encourage those around him helped Bob Wright build volleyball as the sport we know today. The friendship that Bob formed with fellow Hall of Fame inductee David Tweedley, and the leadership at the Central YMCA in Toronto, introduced him not just to the game but also to the organization responsible for the sport, the Canadian Volleyball Association (CVA). Bob played at the Central Y and later served on the executive of the CVA as Vice-President and Honorary President from 1962 to 1968. Additionally, he was a National Referee who called several national and international matches held in Canada.

Bob had a unique career in volleyball, being taught by David Tweedley at Central YMCA in Toronto. He was introduced to the sport at the age of 29 and then, in a reverse manner, first served on the CVA Executive at 30, a men’s coach at 35 and then on the national team at 37. In 1967, Bob was selected to coach the Canadian men’s team at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg and then in 1969 was selected to represent Canada as a player at the Zonal Championships in Mexico. 

Bob served on the CVA Executive for seven years, from 1962 through 1968, serving as vice-president and one year as Honorary President. During that time, the sport was changing radically from American rules (static game) to international rules (a more fluid and exciting game). Bob, along with Tweedley, were key in the CVA’s adoption of international playing rules after long debates of playing with the American rules or those implemented by the FIVB. 

Up until about 1985, the sport in Canada was dominated by teams mostly comprised of players who were new Canadians such as Hamilton Latvians, Central Y Estonians, Ukrainian Plast. To broaden the popularity of the sport, it had to be introduced to high schools and universities in Canada. David Tweedley and Bob, with the backing of the CVA Executive, conducted numerous teaching clinics to groups of Physical Education teachers throughout the Maritimes and Ontario in the 1960’s.

After years at the Central Y, Bob and Tweedley started the men’s volleyball program at the Balmy Beach Club and would garner national championship gold in the years following. His move to Balmy Beach would also be pivotal in the development of the beach discipline, serving as the impetus for Ontario’s growth in beach volleyball. Inspired after a visit to southern California where he saw many beach volleyball courts, Bob wanted to bring permanent beach courts to the beaches of Toronto. Going to the Balmy Beach Club executive, he asked if permanent courts could be built in front of their club. They agreed and in 1965 Bob, David Tweedley and others built the courts and beach volleyball had found a home. 

Bob also hosted the first international beach volleyball tournaments, inviting many America players to play in the events at Balmy Beach in Toronto beginning in 1966.

Bob Wright has made an extraordinary contribution to volleyball in Canada – from building the sport with the CVA, to coaching the national team and representing Canada as a player to building the first permanent beach courts in 1965. His vision and passion for the sport were exceptional and we are proud to recognize him as a Builder in the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame.