The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) is thrilled to announce the addition of Hayden Cavender to its team as Program Coordinator. Hayden will oversee the 4v4, 6v6, and TLS Girls age divisions for the Indoor season, before transitioning into a Beach Coordinator role during the summer months.

This appointment comes as part of a broader restructuring within OVA’s competition team. Jacob Barker will now serve as Program Coordinator for the 17U and 18U divisions, while Claire Melanson will take on the TLS Boys and 15U and 16U divisions. Together, the team will continue to support OVA’s mission of fostering competitive, inclusive, and developmental volleyball opportunities across the province.

A proud product of Ontario volleyball, Hayden brings a wealth of experience both on and off the court. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Toronto, followed by a postgraduate certificate in Sport Business Management from Humber College. Most recently, he served as the Transportation Coordinator for the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, where he managed the complex logistics of moving thousands of athletes, officials, and staff between competition venues, a role that honed his organizational and leadership skills.

Hayden’s connection to the OVA runs deep. He began his volleyball journey at age 12 with the Stratford Cobras, later joining the KW Predators, where he developed into a standout athlete. A former OVA All-Star and Team Ontario member, Hayden helped lead his province to gold at the 2017 Canada Games before competing at the university level with the University of Toronto Men’s Varsity Team.

Reflecting on his path from athlete to sport professional, Hayden shared, “I’m excited and grateful to be part of the OVA team. It’s an incredible opportunity to contribute to a sport and community I’m passionate about. I look forward to supporting athletes, coaches, and clubs across Ontario as we continue to grow the game together.”

The OVA is confident that Hayden’s passion for volleyball, firsthand experience as an athlete, and strong background in sport management will make him an invaluable asset to the team and to the Ontario volleyball community.

Welcome to the team Hayden!

All emails to Hayden can be sent to hcavender@ontariovolleyball.org.