OVA News

If Jeff Vermaas’s plan comes to fruition, a new Ontario Volleyball Association-sanctioned boys club will be starting in Halton this fall.

Citing the region as “underserved” in terms of opportunities for young men to play the sport, the 45-year-old father of two is hoping to get enough members for one or two teams at the 14-15 age group.

Vermaas says the club is designed for players who have already played volleyball in school who hope to reach the ultimate goal of the national championships.

“It’s not only an experience to reach the upper echelon in volleyball, but I think it’s a positive life experience,” he said. “It’s positive in terms of health and fitness in their future endeavors down the road. Hopefully it teaches them discipline and time management, and teamwork, all those things that will come into play during their lives.”

Vermaas, who has lived in Burlington for seven years, says he started noticed continuing requests for a boys league from other parents at his daughter’s volleyball club as far back as four years ago.

And while he doesn’t rule out the possibility of a more “grassroots” type club in the future, Vermaas says for now there will be three training camps held in the summer before the next OVA season begins.

Vermaas played the sport while attending the University of Toronto from 1984-88 and has coached at Ryerson and Upper Canada College. He currently coaches a girls team at the Halton Region Volleyball Club in Burlington.

For more information, contact Jeff at jeffv@hofland.com.