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Awards

OVAtion Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame

For 2024, the OVA hosted the Hall of Fame and Service Awards on Saturday, June 1st at the Angus Glenn Golf Club in Markham. 

Address
Angus Glenn Golf Club
10080 Kennedy Rd
Markham, Ontario

Celebrating Volleyball for Life, the annual OVAtion Awards honour those who have distinguished themselves by providing their time, effort and support to the promotion and development of volleyball in the province. 

Join the Awards Committee!

The Awards Committee is a sub-committee of the Ontario Volleyball Association and is responsible for overseeing the Hall of Fame selection process, advising on Ontario Volleyball awards and recognition programs, and actively seeking opportunities to nominate dedicated members of Ontario's volleyball community for local, provincial, and national awards. 

If you are interested, please send an email outlining why you are an ideal candidate to serve as an awards committee member to awards@ontariovolleyball.org



Learn more about OVA Awards and download nomination forms by clicking on each award below. 

Athlete Awards

SCARBOROUGH SOLARS AWARD

Awarded annually to a minimum of two (2) Ontario athletes (equal number of male and female athletes) who have been selected to, or who have the ability to, represent Ontario/Canada in international volleyball or beach volleyball competitions. 

Download the document below for more information on the Scarborough Solars Award, including selection criteria, and to view the application form.


KEN DAVIES MEMORIAL AWARD

Presented annually at the Ontario Championships to a male Youth Division athlete who best demonstrates the qualities of determination, leadership, athletic ability, sportsmanship and fair play.

History: The Ken Davies Memorial Award is one of the most prestigious awards given by the OVA, and the one that is closest to our hearts. As the years go by Ken Davies remains in our memory as powerful as ever. A native of Kendal, Ontario, Ken's outstanding athletic abilities allowed him to excel in many sports. He was an MVP on his soccer, basketball and volleyball teams, as well as Athlete of the Year at Clarke H.S. in Newcastle. He was chosen to Team Ontario for the 1989 Canada Games in Saskatoon which, as he put it, "was the dream of a lifetime". According to his coach, "he was a quietly intense and dedicated worker. He was one of the most unselfish and coachable athletes I have ever worked with." Shortly after the Canada Games Ken was returning home from a tournament when his life was tragically taken from him by a drunk driver.  

Below you will find:

  • An athlete’s prayer that was found by Ken Davies bedside when he died.
  • A list of past recipients 

EVELYN HOLICK AWARD

Presented annually at the Ontario Championships to a female Youth Division athlete who demonstrates the qualities of determination, leadership, athletic ability, sportsmanship and fair play.

History: Throughout her years on the volleyball scene, Evelyn Holick (1930-2006) accomplished many firsts in her life. Evelyn was the first female "National" level official in Ontario. She was the Head Coach for Ontario's first Women's Provincial Team in the first Canada Games. Her accomplishments and commitment to volleyball established Evelyn as the first role model for female athletes, coaches and officials in the Province.

Download the list of past recipients below.


JASON SENECHAL MEMORIAL AWARD

The Jason Senechal Memorial Award is presented annually to the Youth Beach Athlete that best demonstrates the qualities of honour, fair play, and sportsmanship. Making this Award all the more special is the fact that it is voted on by one's peers, the athletes of the OVA Beach Tour.


CHILD AND HEESE TROPHY

Presented annually to the Men's & Women's Provincial Champions in Beach Volleyball Tier I.

History: John Child and Mark Heese were bronze medalists in beach volleyball at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and competed in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics. They developed their interest and skills in volleyball through the OVA indoor club program and went on to great success on the beach. They both now coach in the OVA indoor club system.

Coach Awards

MIKE BUGARSKI MALE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented annually to an outstanding male coach for his success in the previous season and for his contribution to the development of our sport in Ontario.

History: Mike Bugarski (1936-1992) was a club coach, National Official, Provincial Official’s Chair, clinician, and high school coach. He was a volunteer that unselfishly contributed thousands of hours to the development of athletes and leaders in the sport for more than two decades.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.


SANDY SILVER FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented annually to an outstanding female coach for her success in the previous season and for her contribution to the development of our sport in Ontario.

History: With selfless dedication and unwavering leadership, Sandy Silver has prevailed for more than 40 years as an outstanding athlete, volunteer, coach, mentor and administrator. A major contributor to female sports reaching increased levels of funding, social advancement and acclaim, Silver’s steadfast dedication to her athletes and to gender equity continues to be inspiring both nationally and internationally. Silver’s coaching positions have included Seneca College, York University (CIAU silver medalists), UBC (CIAU bronze medalists) and Assistant Coach for Canada’s National Women’s Team. Sandy Silver was inducted into the Builder category of the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame in 2013 and we’re proud to claim her as one of Ontario’s finest!

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form Below.


DEVELOPMENT COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented annually to two outstanding coaches (one female, one male) for their history in developing junior athletes/teams within the OVA and for his/her contribution to the development of the sport of volleyball in the province.

Download the Male/Female Nomination Criteria and Nomination Forms below.

Doug Robbie Volunteer of the Year Award

Presented to the individual who had a great impact on the promotion and development of volleyball for the OVA at the regional or provincial level in the past year.

History: Doug Robbie was OVA President (1976-1984), Treasurer, National Official, clinician, club coach, former Volunteer of the Year, served on the Region 5 Executive, Volleyball Canada President, and he was the Vice President of the NORCECA zone.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.

Community Engagement Award

Presented to the individual/team that is engaged in volunteer activities and make a real difference in their community.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.

Recognition Award

Presented to an individual who has been involved in the development of volleyball at the club or provincial level for 5 years or more.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.

Diane Wood Special Achievement Award

Presented to an individual to recognize an outstanding contribution to volleyball at the provincial level for 15 years or more.

History: Diane Wood is the kind of volunteer who coordinated adult competitive leagues (8 divisions and more than 100 teams) from her pre-computer-era kitchen table! Since the late 60’s, Diane has established herself as a 40 year(!!) tireless, world-class volunteer, a athlete of 25 years, a National Referee, a Provincial Official’s Chair, a founding member of the Scarborough Solars Volleyball Club in the 70’s, a member of the organizing committee for the first Canadian FIVB beach volleyball event, and an almost 20 year employee at the OVA. Diane began full-time work for the OVA as a program coordinator and retired from her position as Executive Director in 2005. Truly world class!

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.

Achievement Award

Presented to an individual who has had an impact on volleyball development at the regional or provincial level for 10 years or more.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.

Officials Awards

SYLVIA JAKSETIC FEMALE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented annually to a female official who has had a great impact on the promotion and development of both officials and volleyball for the OVA at the regional, provincial and/or national level.

History: Sylvia Jaksetic (1958 – 2012) was an exceptional National Volleyball Referee and International Beach Volleyball Referee with a profound passion for the sport whether it occurred on hardwood or on the sand. Encompassing more than 25 years of combined experience, she could be found refereeing in any province in Canada or on the international beaches of the FIVB World Volleyball Beach Tour. Administratively, Jaksetic served as a regional assignor, certified clinician and Regional and Provincial Officials’ Chair. Sylvia Jaksetic was a friend, a mentor and the truly rare kind of official that everyone from the athletes to the event organizers were able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing Sylvia would be on the stand.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.


OFFICIALS' COMMITTEE AWARD OF MERIT

Established in 1998 and presented by the Officials' Committee in recognition of dedicated service to officiating in Ontario. The nominee must demonstrate dedication, skill, an affirmative attitude and be recognized by their peers as having a positive influence as a certified OVA Official.

Download the Nomination Criteria and Nomination Form below.

Corporate Award

Awarded to a corporation, or partner of the OVA that has made significant contributions to the Association and/or its programs.

Hotel and Accommodations

If you are looking to book accommodations for the event, OVA, with the help of HTG Sports, have blocked off rooms at the Hilton Suites just a short drive from the venue. 

8500 Warden Avenue
Markham, Ontario
 

Rooms can be reserved through the HTG Sports Booking page.

Booking Instructions:

1)    Click on the booking link.

2)     On the landing page, enter your email address. 
a.    If you are an existing HTG client, you will be automatically redirected to input the following information (Team Club/Group Name, Division/Category, Team Code)
b.    If you are NOT an existing HTG client, you will be automatically directed to input the following information: (First & Last Name, phone number, Team Club/Group Name, Division/Category, Team Code)

3)    A Queue system will be in place during high volume booking requests only (opening day of registration and accommodation booking)
a.    Team will automatically be placed in the queue for booking.  

b.    A hotel booking link will be emailed (EMAIL #1)to you as soon as your place comes up in the queue. This email will come from cathy@htgsports.com (we advise that you continue to refresh your email and add Cathy’s email address in advance to your safe senders list). It could take up to 20 minutes to be processed through the queue depending on the volume at the time you have started the above process. 

4)    After you receive the email, click on “Login Directly” link at the bottom of the email.

5)    Choose your 1st hotel choice by clicking on the “bed” icon and input the number of rooms* & nights required. If you don’t need accommodation Thursday night, be sure to change the arrival date.  
a.    Also choose your 2nd - 5th alternate hotel choice to allow for faster turnaround time
b.    Individual and parent room requirements should be included in your block
c.    You can fill out the “comment” box for special requests/details
d.    Click Submit 

*If you require more than the maximum, please indicate this in the comments box at the time of your request. We will do our best to accommodate any additional requests based on a priority sequence once all teams are booked.

6)    The page will change to the “Room Summary Request” On this screen, there will be a “book another team” button for any clubs that are booking multiple teams. (Repeat step 2a). Please note: you will need all unique team ID’s to book for a 2nd team for the same event weekend. 

7)    Check your email. HTG will confirm 1st hotel choice if available.  If not, we will automatically confirm teams in one of their alternate hotel choices 2nd – 5th. 
a.    Team will receive the “hotel confirmation” email
(EMAIL #2) which indicates that their hotel is booked and confirmed.
b.    After the hotel has been confirmed, teams will be able to access their hotel booking through the “login directly” link attached to the Hotel Confirmation email. This will bring them to their own personal team “Dashboard” with all hotel information and rooming list access.
c.    Team will receive another email
(EMAIL #3) from reservations@htgsports.com (we advise that you add this email address in advance to your safe senders list). with the “Rooming List Entry Link” that can be forwarded to any/all team members/parents to book and manage their own individual room.

This will complete the booking of your block

Notes: 
1. For large room requests (multiple teams from the same club) our priority will be to keep all rooms in the same property. This means you may end up with any of your hotel selections from 1 to 5.  Our next priority will be to fit as many rooms in one hotel choice and the remaining in another one of your hotel choices

2. Individual Parent room bookings – Can also use the “Rooming List Entry Link” email that can be forwarded to you by the Team Manager 

Post Launch Rooming List

Email (email #3) containing rooming list entry link will be sent to you following confirmation of your hotel block

  1. This email can be forwarded to any/all team members/parents to book and manage their individual rooms. Included within this email is your booking deadline.

As of your noted deadline, any remaining rooms not allocated will be automatically released.

 

Submit Completed Rooming List.

By the booking deadline the team contact is responsible for reviewing the rooming list, ensuring all rooms are booked, and submitting the completed list. Access to the “Submit Complete List” Button is found on the team dashboard under the rooming list tab which can be accessed through the Hotel Confirmation email.

This gives HTG Permission to forward all reservation information to the hotel on your teams behalf