The purpose of the OVA Code of Conduct is to ensure a safe and positive environment within OVA programs, activities, and events by making all individuals aware that there is an expectation, at all times, of appropriate behavior consistent with the values of the OVA.
Download the Code of Conduct:
The OVA oversees a comprehensive screening program for staff and volunteers as part of its mandate to provide a safe sporting environment. Through this program, some may be denied membership, or granted membership with conditions. Those members and their conditions will be listed below.
There are other organizations that offer programs, events and coaching independently from the OVA. In addition, sometimes staff and volunteers associated with the OVA operate their own private programs, events and coaching independently from the OVA. The OVA is not responsible for any program, event or coaching session that is not operated through the OVA. The protections offered by the OVA are not available with respect to any independent programming. If you are unsure whether a program, event or coaching session is operated through the OVA, please contact the OVA for more information.
The OVA's top priority is the well being of our members. We are committed to providing members with programs, events and coaching that are safe and appropriate. With this in mind, and in the interest of transparency, it is our policy to make any code of conduct infractions public.
In a Decision dated December 18, 2020 an Independent Third-Party Discipline Panel has issued the following sanctions to Peter Sum:
a) Peter Sum is to receive a letter of warning from the OVA. This letter of warning shall be part of a disciplinary record for a period of 24 months and should thereafter be removed.
b) Peter Sum must complete any educational requirements as determined by the OVA. These educational requirements must be undertaken at his own expense.
To review the full Decision of the third party panel, please click on the PDF below.
In their Decision dated July 2nd, 2020 an Independent Third-Party Discipline Panel has issued the following sanctions to Michael Wahbi ("The Respondent"):
a) The Respondent will be disciplined by receiving a written reprimand from the OVA that will remain in the Respondent's file with the Ontario Volleyball Association indefinitely. The reprimand should admonish the Respondent for being untruthful while completing the OVA Screening Disclosure Form and remind the Respondent about the OVA's 'accountable' and 'integrity' values.
b) Prior to September 1, 2020, the Respondent will submit an updated OVA Screening Disclosure Form directly to the OVA Screening Committee. The Screening Committee will determine if the Respondent poses a 'Material Risk', as defined in the Screening Policy, and whether his application should be approved, denied, or approved with conditions.
c) For the next OVA season in which the Respondent holds a coaching position, the Respondent will have another adult present when interacting with any minor athlete and record the other adult in attendance. This log will be submitted to the OVA on a monthly basis.
d) The Respondent will complete by September 1, 2020, the Coaching Association of Canada Safe Sport Training and provide proof of completion to the OVA.
e) The Respondent will pay a $500 fine within sixty (60) days.
To review the Decision of Arbitrator for Steve Leoni, please click on the PDF below.
Please be advised that by an agreement reached between the Ontario Volleyball Association and Stewart Arevalo, Mr. Arevalo has agreed to voluntarily resign his membership in the OVA.
On September 10, 2014, Adjudicator Barbara Carmichael released her decision concerning an application by Stewart Arevalo for membership in a designated category (coaching). A copy of that decision, which sets out temporary conditions on Arevalo’s OVA membership, may be downloaded below. A copy of the earlier decision of the Adjudicator dated July 31, 2014 concerning Arevalo’s application may also be downloaded below. Under the OVA Appeals Policy, decisions of the Adjudicator are a matter of public record.
Should you have any questions regarding the decisions of the Adjudicator (including with respect to the temporary conditions), please contact Executive Director Jo-Anne Ljubicic.
Please be advised that Jared Linden and Garth Morris (aka Zach Jameson) are not members in good standing with the Ontario Volleyball Association. Further, the Markham Stingers Volleyball Club, the Markham Explosion Volleyball Club and the North Central (Explosion) Volleyball Club are not clubs registered with or affiliated with the Ontario Volleyball Association.