Following the completion of the Youth Competition Review led by Sport for Life, the OVA is moving forward with a phased implementation plan designed to ensure thoughtful, sustainable, and member-driven change.

Our Approach

The OVA’s working group carefully reviewed all recommendations and prioritized those with the greatest potential impact, while considering feasibility, available resources, and alignment with our competition structure. The implementation will follow a phased approach, allowing for evaluation, adjustment, and continuous engagement along the way.

Phase 1: Introducing Competition Streams (2026–27 Season)

The first phase will focus on introducing two competition streams within the 13U to 17U Girls divisions (anticipated) starting in the 2026–27 season.

This change responds to significant growth in participation, especially on the girls’ side, where some age groups now approaching 200 teams. Establishing smaller competitive streams will allow the OVA to:

• Improve scheduling and venue access for all teams
• Ensure meaningful competition opportunities for every athlete
• Lay the groundwork for future expansion to other age groups and the boys’ divisions

Ongoing Evaluation and Flexibility

Implementation will be iterative. The OVA will monitor the impact of these changes throughout the first season, identify challenges, and make adjustments as needed. This will ensure that future phases are informed by experience and member feedback before expanding the model.

Collaboration and Member Engagement

Stakeholder engagement remains central to this process. Building on the extensive consultation that shaped the Sport for Life report, the OVA will continue to involve:

• Clubs and coaches
• Committees (IVDC, Regional Council, etc)
• Referees
• Athletes and parents

Engagement opportunities will include surveys, focus groups, and town halls, ensuring all voices are part of shaping the future of youth volleyball in Ontario.

Timeline

Fall 2024 – Winter 2025: Define the high-level purpose and naming of the two competition streams

Winter–Spring 2025: Develop detailed rules and structures for each stream

May 2025: Gather final feedback from key stakeholders following Ontario Championships

June 2025: Publish final updates through the What’s New release

2026–27 Season: Begin implementation with 13U–17U Girls divisions

Stay Informed

A dedicated Youth Competition Review webpage will be updated throughout the process with meeting notes, timelines, consultation opportunities, and updates. Members can also expect regular communication through newsletters and social media.

On Sunday, December 14th, directly following the OVA’s AGM, we will be meeting with club leaders to take part in a discussion webinar about the upcoming indoor youth competition changes. This guided discussion is designed for club leaders to share insights, ask questions, and collaborate on the implementation of the key changes to the competitions system recommended by Sport for Life. Club leaders' feedback is essential to ensure our competition changes support volleyball in Ontario. If you would like to participate, please contact your club's leadership for details on how you can register for the meeting or reach out to Carrie Campbell, Club Services Manager, at ccampbell@ontariovolleyball.org

As part of our goal of transparency and including our community in this process, OVA and S4L co-hosted a Town Hall to present the findings and outline our next steps.

The meeting was be led by OVA’s Director of Sport Development and Technology, Louis-Pierre Mainville, and S4L’s consultant, Tom Jones, who led the review.

Please view a recording of the session below.