The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) is happy to announce the appointment of Martin Kerstens as the new Ontario Regional Referees Chair (ORRC), effective September 1, 2025. Kerstens will succeed outgoing chair Andrew Robb, bringing a wealth of experience as a player, coach, educator, and official to the leadership role.
"I am honoured to have been selected to serve as the ORRC. I look forward to working side-by-side, cordially, with the members of the Provincial Referee Committee as well as the OVA," Kerstens shared. "As our sport grows in Ontario, our committee's goal will be to promote the development of our indoor, beach, and sitting volleyball referees."
Kerstens is a volleyball lifer who has touched every facet of the game. He played four years of club volleyball, competed in two national championships, and earned spots with the University of Waterloo Warriors and Sheridan College Bruins, helping the latter to two OCAA golds and earning CCAA All-Star honours twice. His outstanding playing career culminated in his induction into both the Sheridan College and OCAA Halls of Fame.
Following his stellar playing career, Martin would embark on a 19-year teaching career in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, retiring in 2020. It was here that he first led a team as a coach.
His growing passion for coaching saw him lead multiple high school boys and girls teams, OVA 14U to 18U Girls teams and onto OCAA. Four years with the Centennial College Men's program was followed with three with Durham Lords where he would earn Coach of the Year honors.
Earning his first indoor badge in the 1980s, Kerstens progressed to National certification by 2007 and has officiated at major events including FIVB World Tour stops and the upcoming 2026 Arctic Winter Games. On the beach and indoors, he has become a respected mentor, coach, and leader. He previously chaired both the Regional and National Upgrade Programs and remains heavily involved in referee education initiatives, including the Referee Engagement Academy Project.
As the incoming ORRC, Kerstens is well-positioned to inspire and support the next generation of Ontario officials, with a focus on continued excellence, opportunity, and mentorship across all disciplines of the sport.
"I believe we are at a pivotal point in the growth of this sport, where referee development, experiences and opportunities available to them play a significant role in our referee retention," says Martin. "Ontario has been seen as a leader across the country, as well, with consistent referee involvement in various Volleyball Canada competitions as well as CCAA and USports."
The OVA would like to congratulate Martin in his new position and would like to thank outgoing ORRC, Andrew Robb, for his tireless efforts over these past years in the role. The referee system and talent pool in Ontario is in a much better place than when you first took over.
For more about Martin, you can catch him in action at the 2025 Ontario Championships in this episode of A Day in the Life of an Ontario Referee: Martin Kerstens.