The first winners on the courts were Sophie Bukovec and Caleigh Whitaker, the 2015 North Bay OVA Grand Slam women's champions.
Grant O'Gorman and Sam Pedlow are the 2015 North Bay men's champions
The new beach volleyball grounds, called the Canor Molson Sand Centre, was christened by dignitaries Friday afternoon.
Mayor Al McDonald posted on facebook, writing “Even driving rain didn't stop us from officially opening the international beach volleyball grounds at our beautiful waterfront. These courts are the only kind in Canada and will provide training grounds for elite athletes. It will also allow our citizens and leagues to play on first class facilities.”
McDonald credits the leadership of Amedeo Bernardi with bringing pro volleyball to North Bay.
The tournaments top organizer Amedeo Bernardi has a son who plays volleyball. Bernardi also sits on the Ontario Volleyball Association as a board member.
“Last year they talked to us about doing the Grand Slam event. So I joined the committee for Summer in the Park. The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) really liked North Bay when they came last year. So they asked to come back and we drew up a contract. We had so much fun with it last year.”
Vision Volleyball Club has been formed with Amedeo Bernadi as president. Bernardi says his group is pleased they were able to build the permanent international court with a grant from FEDNOR for $50-thousand dollars.
.jpg)
“The courts are all international size and quite deep, quite nice for cushion for the players. The three nets just came in from Germany. We got them up Friday afternoon. We just got the boards up just before the rain on Friday night.”
Players at Grand Slam 2015 are enjoying the venue. Men’s and women’s finals went late Sunday afternoon.
Bernardi says the Grand Slam event brings a real mix of players. “Athletes have to qualify. There are university students and different people playing pro. One team was just playing in Japan.”
As important as this weekend’s competition is, the Grand Slam is helping organizers and volunteers get ready for the NORCECA continental tour next weekend. Bernardi says it goes August 5th – 10th.
Photo by Amadeo Bernardi
“We have been practicing with all the volunteers. Next weekend is going to be a big weekend. Now, those players would have played at the Pan Am Games.”
For next weekend’s tournament details: https://www.norceca.net/2015%20Events/Beach%202015/NORCECA%20Beach%20Volleybal%202015.htm
