City of Richmond
Volleyball Role Model Named Centre of Excellence Head Coach
3 August 2010
The Richmond Olympic Oval announced today that Joanne Ross has been named the Head Coach of its Volleyball Centre of Excellence. Ross, a UBC graduate, athlete and coach, joins the Oval as the first professional Head Coach named to the Volleyball Centre of Excellence. With 10 years of coaching experience from high performance club through to the Team Canada National Program, Joanne’s background will serve the Centre’s vision of full integration of Long Term Athlete Development.
Joanne’s commitment to athlete and coach development will prove as a key asset to the development of the Centre’s programs and services. Having played (1996-2002) and coached (2009) with Team Canada, her understanding of high performance and the commitment necessary to achieve success at all levels will ensure each athlete reaches their potential. The Centre’s focus on athlete and coach development will be served not only by Joanne’s expertise but supported by national and international coaches and athletes, as well as sport services through specialized programs and coaching education.
While playing at UBC, Joanne was named Academic All Canadian as well as Female Athlete of The Year. As a role model for all athletes, her passion for the sport has transferred into coaching and the development of athletes. Ross stated “I had the opportunity to sit on the LTAD Committee to represent the athletes’ view on how to integrate long term athlete development into the Canadian volleyball system. Sitting on the committee with Canada’s finest national and international coaches was an incredible experience and we examined what Canada needs to do to be successful internationally. Increasing high quality training opportunities in the Train to Train/Train to Compete phase is a key component and I am so excited at the opportunity to develop that program at the Centre of Excellence at the Richmond Olympic Oval.”
Volleyball BC is a partner in the Volleyball Centre and Executive Director Tom Caverly said he “is excited to be able to work with quality individuals such as Joanne Ross who are a tremendous resource to the volleyball community in BC.”
Joanne will join the Richmond Olympic Oval team in September 2010.
About the Volleyball Centre of Excellence
A must for volleyball athletes who want to take their game to the next level. The Volleyball Centre of Excellence at the Richmond Olympic Oval will begin in September of 2010 with programs offered for athletes from 6-18 years old. The day time program will provide high performance training for those athletes to reach the next level in volleyball while balancing their commitments to high school and club teams, along with their academic calendar. Enrichment programs will focus on both introductory sport development through to high performance.
About the Richmond Olympic Oval
Built for the Games. Designed for Legacy. The Richmond Olympic Oval is a breathtaking venue on the banks of the Fraser River and winner of the Institution of Structural Engineers top award for Sports or Leisure Structures. Home to long track speed skating during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Oval re-opened to public programming April 1, 2010. The facility’s Olympic Legacy conversion is scheduled for completion by summer 2010 and will offer an inspiring environment for all ages and skill levels to progress towards their own personal podiums.
About the Pacific Volleyball Society
The Society provides leadership and guidance to Richmond Olympic Oval Volleyball Centre of Excellence with the objective of helping athletes achieve both academic and athletic goals. The Society offers superior coaching, technical leadership and the hosting of regional, national and international competitions.
About Volleyball BC
Volleyball BC is the Provincial sport governing body that actively encourages and enables all residents to enjoy, participate, and excel in the sport of volleyball.
