List of Inductees 2006
Gilles
Fortin
Referee
Gilles Fortin was the first Regional Officials Chair of Quebec following the establishment of the Quebec Volleyball Federation in 1968. He was chair of the Quebec referees until 1973 when at which point he was elected as the National Referees Chair.
Between 1968 and 1972, Gilles developed much of the structure for the referees in Quebec, including the training system. From 1973 to 1977, he helped develop many international level referees and leaders, who continued his work throughout the country for many years.
During his refereeing career from 1967 to 1977, Gilles Fortin enjoyed some outstanding moments, including being the 1st Canadian to become international official for Canada. He was appointed to the Medical Commission and the Referees Commission of the FIVB in 1972 -1973. I n 1974, Gilles was invited to officiate at the World Championships in Mexico, but the pinnacle of his career as a referee was his work at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
It is said that the professionalism and the quality of officiating in Canada has a direct relation to Gilles Fortin’s work and the example he set. He insisted on refereeing standards being consistent across the country, including a code of conduct. All of this contributed to the excellent reputation that Canadian referees have on the international scene.