World Elite Beach Volleyball Tournament Comes to the Beaches of North Bay This Summer

NORTH BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 31, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament (Nipissing-Timiskaming), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced $40,000 in funding from Sport Canada's Hosting Program to Volleyball Canada for the 2015 North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Beach Volleyball Tour competitions in North Bay.

Mr. Aspin also announced up to $1,797,000 in funding to Volleyball Canada from Sport Canada's Sport Support Program for the organization's sport programming and operations in 2015-16.

Moreover, Mr. Aspin took the opportunity to announce a $50,000 contribution from the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario on behalf of Minister Greg Rickford.

Quick Facts

- NORCECA is an incorporated, non-profit organization responsible for all volleyball activities that take place in its zone. It stages Olympic and World Championship zone qualification tournaments, as well as continental championships for both men and women in indoor and beach volleyball.

- This is the second edition of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour to be hosted at the Community Waterfront Park in North Bay. The competition this year will take place from August 5 to 10.

- Volleyball Canada is the national governing body for the sport of beach volleyball. The organization promotes volleyball through collaboration with its partners, the provincial associations, member clubs, schools and many individual stakeholders.

- During the 2015-16 fiscal year, Sport Canada's Sport Support Program will provide up to $1,797,000 to Volleyball Canada for programs and services that have a direct impact on athlete development.

- Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program allocated approximately $933,000 to support 114 Volleyball Canada carded athletes with living, training and special needs expenses to help them focus on their pursuit of excellence.

- The Government of Canada places great importance on our high-performance athletes, as well as healthy and active Canadians. In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sport. Starting in 2016-17, it will be investing up to an additional $20 million into the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure they have what they need to push for the podium, now and in the future.

Quotes

"During the Year of Sport in Canada, we are proud to support Volleyball Canada in hosting the 2015 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour competitions in North Bay. Following the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Pan Am Games and with just a few days until the opening of the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, this beach volleyball competition will bring excitement to North Bay. Best of luck to our Canadian teams!"

- The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"What a great honour it will be for the region of North Bay to host a second edition of the 2015 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour right here at the Community Waterfront Park. Not only will we have the chance to watch the world's best beach volleyball athletes in action, but local citizens and businesses will also benefit from the excitement and the economic benefits that the event will draw in."

- Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament (Nipissing-Timiskaming)

"The NORCECA North Bay tournament is part of an important circuit for the development of beach volleyball athletes entering onto the world stage. Hosting such an event in Canada is a great way to showcase our sport, and to put a spotlight on the work that the local organizing committee has done over the past year. Thanks to the community of North Bay and to the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of bringing international events to our cities."

- Mark Eckert, Executive Director, Volleyball Canada

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Volleyball Canada

Year of Sport in Canada

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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