November 19, 2021: Volleyball Canada’s National Excellence Program (NEP) and Team Canada U18 identification process for youth female athletes in Canada is open for registration through GMTM. GMTM is an athlete exposure platform, offering athletes a place to store all their athletic recruitment activity.

The identification process will provide youth female athletes in grades 9 to 11, the opportunity to upload their profile, highlight video and physical testing data for review by the selection committee.

The Women’s NEP program is a full-time daily training environment for 16 to 20 athletes in grades 10 to 12 from September 2022 through to December 2022. The program includes athlete support in academics, mental health and wellness, physical, technical and tactical training at the Richmond Olympic Oval, in Richmond, BC.

"Heading into the third year of NEP, Volleyball Canada continues to be impressed by the quality of athletes; a testament to the commitment of all clubs and provincial/territorial associations and their perseverance in the last two years,” said Volleyball Canada’s Athlete and Coach Pathway Director, Dawna Sales.

Team Canada U18 will take place in July with 24 to 36 athletes, born in 2006 or later, with training and a final roster of 12 athletes selected to attend the Pan Am Cup. The Pan Am Cup will take place July 14-26 in Tulsa, OK. The Pan Am Cup is the first qualifier for the 2023 U18 Girls' World Championship. Team Canada will look to return to the world stage after a 16th place finish at the 2021 U18 World Championships.

Athlete profiles can be uploaded through to December 20, 2021 (extended from the 13th). The registration fee for identification is $50.00 USD.

Selected athletes will be invited to attend in-person, regional ID camps throughout Canada in January and February 2022.  Final selection of NEP 2022 athletes will take place in March, while U18 final selections will be made by late May.

• For more information, check out www.volleyball.ca 
• GMTM direct link: 
  https://gmtm.com/virtuals/219/2022-womens-national-excellence-program-nep
• Questions can be directed to excellence@volleyball.ca

Photo: Chrissy Benz

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
Mobile: 613.794.7676