The OVA is pleased to welcome two new staff members to the team!
 

Chery Bennett is our new Member Services Coordinator as Kaitlin Arscott transitions into her new role as Youth Competitions Coordinator. 

In addition, Lauren Breadner joins us as High Performance Coordinator after Jen Neilson was hired to coach full-time at York University.

Chery Bennett joins us as Member Services Coordinator.
 

Chery currently lives in Guelph, Ontario and attended the University of Windsor pursuing an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology and Sociology. After graduating in 2017, Chery furthered her education at Humber College, obtaining a graduate certificate in Sport Business Management. Through internships, Chery has worked at Canada Basketball working with the Steve Nash Youth Basketball Program and Lay-Up Youth Basketball, a registered charity that provides free basketball programs to young athletes in the Toronto region as a summer coordinator and head coach for the summer camps.  

Growing up, Chery played a variety of sports including basketball throughout high school, tennis, cross-country and soccer. She has obtained her Fundamental Movement Skills, FUNdamentals, and Learn to Train NCCP coaching certifications in order to help young athletes reach their goals and dreams in whichever sport they love to play!

Chery is looking forward to working at Ontario Volleyball as the Membership Services Coordinator and being able to provide excellent customer service to all athletes and members.

Lauren Breadner joins us as High Performance Coordinator.
 

Lauren started her volleyball career with the OVA playing for Durham Attack in their 16U program. She continued playing for Durham through her 18U year when she was recruited to play at Nipissing University as a right side under Head Coach, Marc LaRochelle. After completing a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree and completing her playing career with the Nipissing Lakers in 2015, Lauren began coaching as an assistant coach of a 17U girls Durham Attack team.

In 2016, Lauren began her Masters of Sport Management at the University of Windsor. During her first year at Windsor, she worked as Team Manager of the women's varsity team alongside Head Coach, Lucas Hodgson. while still coaching at the club level with Durham Attack as the assistant coach of a 12U girls team.

Lauren's coaching history and guidance from fantastic Head Coaches within Ontario has allowed her knowledge of volleyball to grow substantially. In her own words, "volleyball has helped shape me into who I am today and I cannot wait to apply my experience to my new role as the High Performance Coordinator with the OVA."