May 2-4, 2008 - To say that the Ottawa volleyball community pulled together to help make the Volleyball Canada 17U/18U Canadian Open a success this past weekend would be a huge understatement.

When the Host Organizing Committee, led by National Capitals Volleyball Club President and OVA Region 6 President Bob O'Doherty, submitted their bid to Volleyball Canada to host the 2008 and 2009 17U/18U Canadian Opens and it was selected last year over three other bids, there may have been some in the community who wondered if - or how well - the members of this region could pull off such a relatively massive undertaking.  But anyone who knew the people at the head of this venture had little doubt that it would all come together and that the Canadian volleyball community would be happy indeed with the final product.

In the end, 202 teams participated in the 17U/18U Canadian Open, the most teams ever.  Overall, there were 801 matches played and 104 referees recruited from all over Canada to officiate these matches.  Despite the requirement to stage the event across 5 main venues across the region, everything seems to have gone off without a hitch, due in main part to the thorough work of the Host Organizing Committee, and to a schedule that kept the majority of the teams in single venues during their morning or afternoon 'waves'. 

The main venue, Carleton University, was a fabulous hub for all activities, with 16 courts and an absolutely perfect centre court for the big matches at CU's sparkling Alumni Hall, where Mississauga, Ontario's Pakmen and Selkirk, Manitoba's Royals took the Mens and Womens 18U National Championships in front of a throng of thousands and a Rogers Television audience.  Thanks to the representatives of Carleton, the University of Ottawa, Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, CÉGEP de l'Outaouais and Algonquin College for all their cooperation in helping stage three days of hectic volleyball action.  Thanks also to Collège catholique Samuel-Genest and Colonel By Secondary School for helping stage matches during the Friday morning wave.

Appreciation must be given the event's presenting sponsor:

Thanks also to Volleyball Canada and its partners:

Thanks as well to event hosts, Region 6 Volleyball, the Ontario Volleyball Association, Les Griffons de l'Outaouais and their event partners:

Most of all, thanks must be sent out to all the volunteers from the membership of clubs all across Region 6 - especially to the players, parents, executive, coaches, family and friends of the City's three principal clubs, the National Capitals, Ottawa Kangaroos and Ottawa Mavericks, and to the membership of Les Griffons de l'Outaouais in Gatineau.  Without question, this event could never have been staged without the huge groundswell of "volley-unteer" power that generously came forth to piece together, manage and then disassemble this giant event.  The athletes who participated in this unforgettable 3-day event would surely want to say "Thank you"... "Merci".

The Host Organizing Committee is already looking at ways to deliver an even bigger and better experience for all participants in next year's 17U/18U Canadian Open in Ottawa.

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