Today, the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) announced that Niagara College has been selected as the host of the 2019 CCAA Women's Volleyball Championship.
The event will see the top eight women's volleyball teams from colleges across Canada face off at NC's Welland Campus Athletic Centre from March 6-9, 2019.
"Niagara College is no stranger to hosting National Championships," said Fred Batley, CCAA Women's Volleyball Convenor. "With world-class athletic facilities and the Niagara area hospitality and attractions, the student-athletes, coaches and spectators will be in for an amazing and exciting National Championship in 2019."
Since its completion in 2010, Niagara College's Welland Campus Athletic Centre has twice hosted CCAA Championships (2011 women's basketball and 2013 men's volleyball). Niagara also hosted the OCAA provincial championship in 2015 for women's basketball, and will host the 2018 men's basketball championship from March 1-3.
"We are excited to be selected as the host of the 2019 CCAA women's volleyball championship," said Niagara College Associate Vice President – Academic & Learner Services, Dave Taylor. "Events like these allow Niagara College to showcase its facilities and athletes, and enhance the broader student experience by providing experiential learning opportunities for students in a broad range of our programs, including Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film; Police Foundations; Event Management; Sport Management and more. We look forward to welcoming Canada's collegiate volleyball community to Niagara in 2019."
The Niagara Knights volleyball programs have a long history of success. Knights are four-time OCAA men's champions, most recently in the 2014-15 season that also saw the team earn the CCAA Bronze Medal. On the women's side, the Knights have stood on the OCAA podium for three consecutive seasons, capturing OCAA bronze medals in 2015 and 2017, and the silver medal in 2016.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the Niagara College community to see a premier national level championship right here at home," said Niagara College's Interim Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation Michael Santoro. "We are really looking forward to giving our women's volleyball program the chance to compete for CCAA gold on their home court, in front our passionate and loyal supporters."
Niagara College's Welland campus athletic centre includes a double-varsity gymnasium with seating for 1,000 spectators, as well as expanded fitness and aerobics areas, a central athletic therapy area, change rooms for athletes and officials, and a two-storey entry concourse. In 2017 the college expanded the athletic facility with the completion of a third academic-use gymnasium designed to provide experiential learning opportunities for Niagara College students.
"It is our intention, with the support of our corporate partners, the Niagara College campus community, and the region's volleyball community, to stage yet another successful CCAA National Championship," said Ray Sarkis, championship chair and Niagara College's intercollegiate coordinator. "Our host and organizing committee are excited and honoured to host this prestigious national event."
Niagara College's intercollegiate athletics program was formed in 1969 and has won nine national championships and 40 provincial championships. More than 130 student-athletes compete on Niagara College's six varsity sports programs, including men's and women's basketball, soccer, and volleyball and three tournament teams, including golf, curling, and cross country.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
