Empowerment initiative ignites reinvention of Canadian women’s volleyball

January 21, 2025.- Canadian Volleyball is rewriting its story, with the women’s squad rising as a force in world volleyball, driven by an FIVB Empowerment initiative that has elevated excellence at every level.

The resurgence of the women’s team began in earnest in 2021 when the targeted Empowerment initiative focused on identifying and nurturing young talent through a structured pathway. This effort culminated in the Next Gen program, designed to seamlessly transition emerging talents into the senior national team framework.

Under the leadership of head coach Shannon Winzer, the women’s team began to reach unprecedented milestones. In 2022, they secured their highest-ever finish at the Volleyball Nations League, placing 12th, and went on to achieve a Top 10 finish at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. These results were driven by standout performances from players such as Alexa Gray, Kiera Van Ryk and Brie King.

Each player brings a unique story of development and achievement. Alexa Gray, known for her powerful attacks and strategic gameplay, has become a symbol of the team’s aggressive style.

Kiera Van Ryk’s serve, one of the most feared in the international circuit, has turned games in Canada’s favor multiple times, underscoring the technical competence the Empowerment program has cultivated.

Brie King, as the setter, orchestrates the play with a calm precision that has matured significantly under the program’s tutelage.

The momentum was sustained into 2023, proving their consistency at the elite level. The ongoing success has not only solidified Canada’s reputation as an emerging powerhouse in international volleyball but it also inspired a wave of young athletes looking to follow in the footsteps of their current stars.

The women’s volleyball team’s latest achievements are complemented by the accomplishments in beach volleyball, highlighted by Melissa Humana Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson winning a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This monumental success underscored the depth of Canada’s talent in other disciplines and its ability to achieve on the world’s biggest stages.

The men’s volleyball and beach volleyball programs of Canada have also proven that they can compete with the best in the world.

The Empowerment program’s influence on this initiative for the women’s team has been extended as it has unified the volleyball and beach volleyball disciplines under a single framework of success, demonstrating how a strategic and holistic approach can elevate an entire sport. This unified vision has allowed Canada to develop a robust pipeline of talent, ensuring sustained growth and success in the years to come.