The National Excellence Program (NEP) is designed to prepare athletes to perform at the highest level of our sport and to continue their development towards the National Senior Team Program and/or playing professional volleyball. It offers individual technical and tactical skill development as well as team play refinement. Athletes are exposed to an array of Sport Science and Sport medicine services, dispensed by leading Canadian practitioners in a holistic high-performance environment. NEP athletes, through training and exhibition competition, are introduced to leading international volleyball programs and clubs.

Those selected to the NEP are committed to an investment in their future as an international athlete competing on the world stage.

The objectives of the National Excellence Program are to: 
1) Create a high-performance daily training environment with provincially and nationally identified athletes in grades 10 to 12
2) Monitor and support the WHOLE athlete through national team staff leadership
3) Enhance volleyball skills to match and exceed those of other top nations
4) Provide a balance between academic and training demands

2026 NEP Details

• Athlete Eligibility: 
  • Canadian male athletes in grades 10 to 12 (born in 2009 or 2010 as of January 1, 2026)
  • Have Canada as their Federation of origin
• Location: TBD
• Dates: September to December (approximately 80 days of training)
• Sport Medicine: IST Staff, including mental health and recommended practitioners, will be made available
• Athlete Selection: Volleyball Canada will identify and invite 16 athletes
• Education: Student-athletes complete online courses from their home province. Student-athletes are responsible for making the necessary arrangements with their institution before the start of their semester. A minimum of three hours of daily study time is integrated within the program schedule, with evenings and weekends free for additional study time. Additional academic support, such as tutors, can be made available for the athlete upon request.
• Living Arrangements: Athletes will reside in a secure apartment building
• Training: Sessions will vary between on-court, strength and conditioning, education, therapy, and recovery
• Competition: Travel and competition opportunities with identified Universities
• Program Fee: Between $8000-$9000 
  • Selected athletes will be nominated for Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program (carding) for 4 months, from Sept-Dec ($1,305/month) 
  • Includes: Training and competition gear, administration, coaching and IST staff support, additional education support, travel to and from competition, and the cost of accommodation and identified meals.
  • Does not include: Travel to and from the training centre at the beginning and end of the program, as well as any travel outside of team events throughout the program
  • Does not include: Any educational online registration related expenses

Nationally identified athletes will be committed for the duration of the program and will not participate in other club or school-based programs during the program (Sept-Dec). This program is designed for athletes who have chosen volleyball as their primary athletic pursuit. Student-athletes may be exposed to other sports during the year as a means to support their volleyball development. Athletes will return to their home school in January and are encouraged to participate in their local club to further their development and regain family/social bonds.

The program integrates online learning to support excellence in academics while managing a high-performance training load. Students graduating from the program can expect to improve their opportunities to excel in a post-secondary program.

This program also aims to propel Canada beyond the current success of Olympic qualifications to Olympic podium performances.

Step 1: Complete an Online Application through Sportlomo

We are piloting a separate Futures camp for athletes born in 2011 and 2012 in Alberta and Ontario. This pilot project in 2026 aims to provide earlier identification and educational opportunities for athletes interested in the NEP. Athletes:

- NEP: Must be born in 2009 or 2010 as of January 1, 2026

- Futures: Must be born in 2011 or 2012 as of January 1, 2026

To register for the virtual component, athletes must complete the online application through Sportlomo by selecting their appropriate pathway:

Click here to register via Sportlomo

Once registered, athletes will receive an invitation to complete the virtual evaluation via SkillShark. 

Each athlete must create a personal profile that includes:

- Physical metrics

- A highlight video

- A video of a full set

Online application Fee: $70 CAD

Application Opens: November 5, 2025

Deadline: November 28, 2025

Futures ID Camps :
Please be aware that there will be no training sessions for the Futures Program. The Futures initiative is intended solely as an early identification opportunity, emphasizing exposure, evaluation, and education. Selected athletes will participate in the ID Camps as an introduction to Volleyball Canada's National Team development pathway; however, they will not engage in ongoing training or follow-up programs after the camps.

Step 2: Athlete In-Person Camp Invitation

Based on SkillShark submissions, athletes will be invited to attend regional in-person ID camps, which will take place across Canada from December 2025 to February 2026.

Invitations will be sent out in mid-December. Saskatchewan athletes will be notified earlier. Athletes not selected for in-person camps will be notified by email. 

Registration Fee In-person Camps: $125 CAD

In-Person ID Camp Schedule:

Saskatchewan: Saskatoon – December 6, 2025

Ontario: Kitchener – January 3/4, 2026 (NEP & Futures)

British Columbia: Vancouver – January 10/11, 2026

Alberta: Calgary – January 17/18, 2026 (NEP & Futures)

Nova Scotia: Halifax – January 24, 2026

Quebec: Gatineau – January 31, 2026

Manitoba: Winnipeg – February 7, 2026

Step 3: Athlete Selection

Final selections will be made in April 2026. All athletes will be notified whether they’ve been selected.

Program questions can be directed to Matheus Braz, Youth Programs Coordinator.

Head Coach: Dave Preston, dpreston@volleyball.ca 

Team Coordinator: Matheus Braz, mbraz@volleyball.ca