Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 9, 2006 : The Team Canada Volleyball Centre is happy to announce the senior men’s roster for the 2006 international volleyball season. This year’s team is made up of 19 veteran and up-and-coming athletes, and was selected after an intense four-day selection camp held this past weekend in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Athletes selected are:
Setters: Scott Koskie (Winnipeg, MB), Mike Munday (Winnipeg, MB), Josh Howatson (Victoria, BC)
Right Side: Paul Duerden (London, ON), Dallas Soonias (Red Deer, AB), Kris Brand (Quesnel, BC)
Left Side: Fred Winters (Vancouver, BC), Pascal Cardinal (Pincourt, QC), Christian Bernier (Montreal, QC), Dan Lewis (Oakville, ON), Nicholas Cundy (Edmonton, AB), Alexandre Gaumont-Casias (Marieville, QC), Louis-Pierre Mainville (Notre-Dame-de-L’isle-Perrot, QC), Jean-Francois Grondin (Sherbrooke, QC)
Middle Blockers: Murray Grapentine (Westaskiwin, AB), Steve Brinkman (Bowmanville, ON), Brett Youngberg (White Rock, BC), Chris Meehan (Clearwater, BC)
Libero: Chris Wolfenden (Peterborough, ON)
Veteran player Terry Martin is also expected to join the team later this year.
“This was my first experience as Head Coach of our national team,” stated Glenn Hoag. “The camp went very well, mainly because this group of athletes was very focused and came prepared to compete and learn. These players will play a valuable role in Canadian volleyball in both the upcoming season, as well as the full-time training centre. It will be a long, tough year and our players will be tested in all aspects of the game.”
The team will now train for a week before taking on 2008 Summer Olympic Games host China for matches on May 16th and 18th at the University of Manitoba’s Investors Group Athletic Centre. The annual Schools Game will also be held on May 15th and televised live on Shaw Cable.
From there they will continue training to prepare for the inaugural Pan American Cup to be held in Mexicali and Tijuana, Mexico, this June 3rd-12th, the Hubert Wagner Memorial Tournament in Olsztyn, Poland, and a tour of Spain in June and July. The balance of the season will see Canada host Australia in late August, a major competition in September and October, and culminates with the World Championships in Japan in November.
(Greg Smith, Communications Director Volleyball Canada)
