May 31 2023: Volleyball Canada is pleased to announce that 18 athletes have been selected for 2023 National Excellence Program (NEP). Entering its fourth year, the women’s National Excellence Program has completed another year of extensive virtual applications, and in-person identification camps, to invite athletes from across the country to Richmond, B.C. this fall.

NEP provides a full-time daily training environment to Grade 11 and 12 females from September through to December 2023. In addition to providing technical and tactical training in line with the Senior Women’s National Team, NEP will also provide competition opportunities with local and college programs, strength and conditioning, nutrition education, mental performance and well-being, as well as ongoing educational support.

"This is such an important program for our Women’s National Team in identifying and developing our top talent in Canada at a young age. The level of talent across Canada was quite high and those that have been selected are exceptional athletes. It is an exciting time for women’s volleyball in Canada and I can’t wait to get started with the next generation of national team athletes," said women’s national team Head Coach Shannon Winzer.

2023 National Excellence Program

Name (position, province)

Sophia Hansen, Outside hitter, Alberta
Trinity Shadd-Ceres, OH, Ontario
Alicia Thibodeau, OH, Quebec
Elodie Lalonde, OH, Ontario
Sydney McDermott, OH, Ontario
Sara Gray, OH, Saskatchewan
Logan King, Opposite, Ontario
Maeli Cormier, Opp, Quebec
Brooklyn Grobb-Prins, Opp, Manitoba
Ella Piskorz, Middle, Ontario
Carmen Waye, Mid, Nova Scotia
Lydia-Jane Wigston, Mid, Alberta
Marilou Robichaud, Mid, Quebec
Avaya Maga, Setter, Ontario
Isabel Kuna, S, BC
Ana Nastase, S, Ontario
Jasmine Ellison, Libero, Ontario
Gabrielle Flaman, L, Saskatchewan

For more info on this program, please contact Jennah Paron, Women’s National Team Coordinator jparon@volleyball.ca

Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676