New Events Check them out.

Grade 3-6 - Brand new to the sport? This is the registration for the group of Rising Stars Sessions in February and March The sessions Monday February 23 6-7 PM, Tuesday(s) March 3 6-7 PM, March 10 6-7 PM, March 17 6-7 PM, March 24 6-7 PM and March 31 6-7 The discount for the bulk buying of the sessions means no refunds will be issued for any of these sessions. Rising Star Sessions (Grades 3–6 – New to Sports) Who It’s For: Athletes in Grades 3–6 who are new to sports and beginning their athletic development journey. Focus: Rising Star sessions build the fundamental movement and coordination skills needed before learning formal volleyball techniques. These sessions are designed to develop body control, athletic awareness, and confidence through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Skill Development: Athletes will work on the essential athletic building blocks: Moving with balance and agility Catching and throwing with control Jumping and landing safely Running with coordination Developing hand-eye coordination and body awareness Structure: Held in a multipurpose room with a net Focus on ball control, movement, and coordination Prepares athletes for progression to NexGen Sessions Grab some of the last spots The Gym is Booked—Now It’s Your Time to Train!  Private lessons offer a personalized volleyball experience! The main athlete selects the focus, invites up to five other academy athletes, and works with a coach best suited to their needs. This unique format allows athletes to target specific skills, build confidence, and take their game to the next level. By choosing the focus and the group of attending athletes, the main athlete can shape the lesson to fit their goals — from mastering basic fundamentals to exploring advanced concepts. For example, a hitting session can include setters, liberos, and other hitters to create realistic, game-like drills. A serving lesson becomes more effective when multiple athletes are involved, allowing for rhythm, feedback, and even targets such as a libero to improve precision. Pick the one that works for you! Friday, February 13, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Mother Teresa Gym Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Father Robinson Gym Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, St. Augustine Gym Friday, February 27, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Mother Teresa Gym Friday, February 27, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Mother Teresa Gym Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Father Robinson Gym Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, St. Augustine Gym Friday, March 6, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, St. Augustine Gym Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Father Robinson Gym Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Mother Teresa Gym Monday, March 30, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Mother Teresa Gym Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Father Robinson Gym Grab some of the last spots The New Volleyball Elite Academy (BETA Version) We’re building the New Academy as a complete, year-round development pathway for volleyball athletes of all ages and skill levels — from U10 beginners to Under-18 high-performance players. Our program blends weekly leagues, seasonal camps, focused training teams, and private lessons into a consistent curriculum designed to accelerate skill, tactical understanding, and competitive confidence. Sessions are run by experienced coaches and supported by data-driven progress tracking, with flexible scheduling and venue options (indoor gyms, multi-purpose rooms, and beach courts) to meet family needs. The result is a community where players improve reliably, families find predictable value, and coaches have the structure to deliver measurable outcomes. Athletes benefit from age-appropriate coaching, clear progression steps, and opportunities for game play and exposure, while parents get transparent pricing and scheduling. Join us at Https:elitevolleyball.training to view upcoming sessions, reserve a spot, or get on the waitlist — we’re ready to help every player reach the next level. If you are interested in seeing it, help us build it, willing to give suggestions...Register  THE NEW BETA ACADEMY SITE

 

The Academy is being re - designed We are set to be fully operational by the start of summer. Several summer sessions are available for registration at a lower cost pre-redesign. Please review and register for events of interest to secure your spot.

Indoor Private Training Sessions These times are short notice, I hope we can fill them.  Private lessons are for athletes any age up to 18 and the lessons cost the same for one athlete to one coach or six athletes to one coach. Location: Mother Teresa Elementary School Dates & Times: Feb. 6 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Feb. 6, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Feb. 6, 2026 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Feb. 13, 2026 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Register for now! The Winter League has completed 5/8 games and when it ends we will be starting the Spring Indoor Girls Volleyball League.  This league starts March 18 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Henk Ruys Soccer Center until May 20, 2026.  There are less that 15 spots left in this league.   So don't wait. Register for now!  Rising Stars and NexGen Sessions The young athletes sessions in the Multi-purpose area in Holy Family School are back.  The sessions will be only have space for 10 athletes.  Don't miss your chance.  Check the times and dates and see if they fit your schedule.     Register for one now! The new Canadian Volleyball Elite Academy is almost ready. Parents need to create profiles for themselves and their athletes. This site aims to build a supportive community for young volleyball players. Share this with past academy members, school coaches, club coaches, academy coaches, and family members. Register now and watch the platform grow to support under-18 athletes on their volleyball journey.  The parents and players of the Winter league have been using the new site and the Spring League players will as well. The new Community Website.

 

Be Part of the Academy’s 2026 Transformation.

The Canadian Elite Academy is entering an exciting new chapter — a complete restructuring for Winter 2026 — and your voice will help shape what comes next. Whether you’re a current athlete or parent, a past participant, or a dedicated coach or supporter, your experience matters. We’re calling on our entire volleyball family, past and present, to share insights and feedback that will guide the future of our programs, schedules, and training opportunities. This is your chance to help shape the next generation of volleyball development in Saskatoon and across the province. It takes just 8 minutes to complete — and your input will directly influence how we train, communicate, and grow.  Please take a few minutes to complete our Community Feedback Survey. And if you know other athletes, families, or coaches who have been part of our Academy journey, please share this survey with them — their voice matters too. Take the Academy Restructuring Survey Now Over the years, I’ve seen incredible growth and dedication from our athletes, families, and coaches. As we plan for Winter 2026, I want to ensure every voice in our community is heard. Your feedback is essential as we reimagine what the Academy can be — stronger, smarter, and built around our athletes’ real needs. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights and for being a valued part of the Canadian Elite Academy family. — Dr. Darren Cannell Head Coach & Director, Canadian Elite Academy Please share this message by using the buttons below to anyone who might be interested.

Upcoming Sessions: Visual Calendar View

 

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For visual learners, here's a calendar of the next three months to help you stay on track. In November, NexGens are sold out, but Rising Stars have a few spots left. There is one private lesson and one basic serving session that NexGens can join to advance to the skill sessions. Boys and Girls, Open Gyms are a great way to get more practice time and there are very few boy sessions so find some friends and comet to open gym and play some ball. We hope to see you on the court. Do a November Registration As we approach Christmas,   NexGens remain sold out, but Rising Stars has a few spots left and more private sessions available. Don't miss our 'Lose the Turkey' camp to shed extra holiday weight. Our 'Making the Cut' Camps sell out quickly, and this year is no exception. We are also offering skill sessions this month.

Do a December Registration In January 2026,I We are launching a popular league for girls who didn't make a club team, which is now three-quarters full. Our first session of the new year is 'Lose the Turkey' for Elementary School athletes (NexGen and Basic Athletes welcome). Check out our open gym times for more practice opportunities. Private sessions are also available for one to six athletes, perfect for individual or club team training. Do a January Registration

 

Canadian Elite Academy Weekly Update

We’re excited to share what’s happening at the Academy as our programs continue to grow! NexGen & Rising Stars Sessions Our NexGen program (ages 11–13) continues to fill quickly! The 6–7 pm NexGen session is basically sold out, and the 8–9 pm session is getting close — if this is on your radar, register soon before it’s full. The Rising Stars (junior high level) 6–7 pm session is also nearing capacity, so don’t wait if your athlete plans to join. These sessions are perfect for developing foundational skills and movement patterns that build confidence and prepare athletes for higher-level play. Open Gym Nights & Private Lessons Friday nights feature both Open Gym time and Private Lessons. Open Gym: A great chance for boys (and all athletes) to get extra touches, especially since it’s difficult to run a full boys’ league at this time. Private Lessons: These can include up to six athletes per session, allowing you to select the topic, coach (if available), and teammates. When you consider that cost is shared among six athletes, it’s actually comparable to our regular session pricing — with the added benefit of customized instruction. Winter Girls League The Winter Girls League is starting to fill quickly! This is a structured but fun opportunity for athletes to play real games and apply what they’ve learned in training. Space is limited — register early to save your spot, as it’s not a program where we can easily add more teams once it’s full. Extra Sessions on School Days Off Whenever schools are closed for teacher development days or holidays, we do our best to offer extra sessions and camps. These are great chances for athletes to add to their “touch count” — an essential part of player development. Remember: Athletes who only touch the ball during school or club practices will fall behind those who are also training through the Academy. Independent touches — those done without a coach pushing you — help build mental toughness and self-discipline, two qualities every great athlete needs. Supporting Volleyball Growth The Academy’s mission is to fill the gaps left when athletes don’t have access to school or club teams. Through leagues, structured sessions, and specialized training, we’re helping younger players build their foundational skills, while giving older players the opportunities to keep improving. We’re committed to keeping costs as low as possible, but as we’ve moved to the Henk Reys Soccer Centre, we now book three courts at a time — which means we need strong registration numbers to continue offering the same range of programs. Your participation and support make it possible for us to keep expanding and creating more opportunities for volleyball in our community. Thank you for being part of the Canadian Elite Academy family — and for helping us grow the game!  Register Now

Secure Your Spot: Christmas Winter Camps & Lessons (Forgot to mention them in the last email)

Missed these important events in the last email. These are going to be ones you don't want to miss.

Private Day Camps – November 10 & 11 We have two Private Day Camp opportunities coming up soon! November 10 – Designed for Elementary School athletes (though High School groups are welcome too). November 11 – Designed for High School athletes. These camps are a great way to get focused, personalized training. You simply find five friends and book one or more private lesson times. The best part? You choose the topic — serving, passing, setting, attacking, defense, or any skill you’d like to improve. You can even request a specific coach. If that coach isn’t available, we’ll make sure you get the best coach for the skill you’ve chosen. Many athletes like to bring their school or club teammates, and if you’re all from the same team, you can bring more than six athletes for your session. Scheduling Notes: November 10 is an early dismissal day for elementary schools. November 11 is an early dismissal day for both elementary and high school students. Private lessons for either age group can be booked on either day, but please note that we do not encourage skipping school to attend. Register Now Lose the Turkey Camps – December 27–30 & January 2–3 After all that Christmas turkey (and maybe another round at Grandma and Grandpa’s on the 26th), it’s time to get back in the gym! Our Lose the Turkey Camps are the winter versions of the popular Making the Cut Camp, designed to help you shake off the holiday meals and sharpen your skills before the Club and Winter League seasons begin. We have three groups this year:  Elite 1 & Senior High School Athletes Dates: December 27–30 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM If we have enough Elite 1 athletes registered, they’ll train separately from the Senior High School group. Otherwise, the two groups will combine for high-level sessions focusing on advanced skill development, gameplay, and competition.  Junior High School Athletes Dates: December 27–30 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM These four days will be packed with technical reps, tactical training, and fun competitions to help Junior athletes elevate their game heading into the new season.  Elementary School Athletes Dates: January 2–3 Split into three skill levels: Rising Star: 8:00 – 10:00 AM NexGen: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Elementary Basic: 1:00 – 5:00 PM Each group focuses on skill-appropriate development, teamwork, and fun—perfect for young athletes who want to improve while enjoying the game. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or an experienced player getting ready for club season, these camps are the perfect way to lose the turkey and gain a competitive edge! Register Now The Winter Girls Volleyball League Help Us Keep the League Growing! In the past, the Academy has grown almost entirely through word of mouth — and we’re so thankful for that! If you know anyone looking for a place to play, compete, and enjoy volleyball, please tell them about our Youth Volleyball League. The feedback from our last league was fantastic — athletes had fun, the games were competitive, and the energy was incredible. We’d love to keep offering leagues and open gym opportunities like these, but to do that, we need your help to grow enrollment and increase participation. If you can, spread the word to friends, teammates, or families who might be interested. The more athletes we have, the more we can expand and enhance the experience for everyone. We’re also open to sponsorships or partnerships with individuals or organizations who want to support a non-profit volleyball league for youth athletes. If you know someone who might be interested, please share my contact information:  info@canadianeliteacademy.com Thank you for being such an important part of our volleyball community. We appreciate your ongoing support — and we can’t wait to see you all back on the courts soon!   Register Now

Weekly Training at the Canadian Elite Academy

 

Weekly Training at the Canadian Elite Academy We’ve standardized our weekly schedule to make planning easier for families! Each day now has a clear focus — designed to meet athletes where they are and help them reach the next level.  Tuesdays – NexGen Sessions Ages: 11–13 (and younger developing athletes) Focus: Core fundamentals, coordination, and a love for the game. Our NexGen program builds a strong foundation for young athletes through fun, high-energy drills.  Perfect for players preparing to join school or club teams.  Thursdays – Rising Star Sessions Ages: Junior High to Early High School Focus: Game play, skill refinement, and confidence on the court. Rising Star sessions help athletes take the next step — developing advanced skills, learning strategy, and becoming smarter players.  Great for those aiming to move toward advanced or elite levels.  Fridays – Private Lessons, Team Lessons & Open Gym  Private Lessons: Individual one-on-one training customized to each athlete’s goals — from improving serving to fine-tuning hitting or defensive techniques.  Team Private Lessons: Perfect for full teams that want focused work on systems, rotations, and communication.  Open Gym Time: A relaxed, supervised environment for athletes to get extra touches, practice new skills, or just enjoy playing. No pressure — just play, grow, and have fun!  Common Dismissal & Non-School Day Sessions School may be out, but volleyball doesn’t stop! On common dismissal days and holidays, the Academy offers special training sessions and mini-camps to keep athletes active and improving — while parents get a well-deserved break. Keep an eye on our schedule — these fill quickly!  Register Now Spots are limited, and sessions are already filling fast!  Click Here to Register

New 12U PROGRAM beginning in 2026

Sask Volleyball is very pleased to introduce a new 12U PROGRAM beginning in 2026!!

 

This program is designed to serve as a transition between Smashball and our 13U age class program.  For those who might be interested, 12U PROGRAM information has been attached to this message.

 

NOTE:            OUR FIRST 12U TOURNAMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JAN. 10, 2026 AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE IN REGINA. (Registrations open on Monday, Nov. 3.)

 

                        Registration for the Jan. 10 tournament, and any future 12U tournaments will be completed through TeamLinkt at:

 

Https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/saskvolleyball

 

I’m asking you to consider sharing information about the 12U program with families of children in your club and in your community.  I realize that you may not be in direct contact with families of children in this age range, but there may be others in your club who are in contact with such families.  Any assistance you/they can provide in helping ‘get out the word’ about our 12U program, would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you, or others, have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, via email (tom@saskvolleyball.ca) or phone/text (306-527-4897).

 

Regards,

 

Tom Ash

 

P. S.     I’ve also included information about a Zoom presentation called Intro to 12U.  This on-line presentation is scheduled for Dec. 3.  Registration is required for this free informational presentation. 

There is registration information on the attached document.

12U

Girls/Boys/Co-Ed

LTD Stage: Learning to Train

Principle Focus: To introduce and develop sports skills (Hitting/Attacking; Serving; Overhead passing).

The goals of the 12U program are to:

• introduce or, re-introduce children to volleyball;

• promote skill development and;

• encourage participation in a fun, friendly competition.

Smashball is the game play format that will be used for the 2025-2026 Age Class season.

Smashball is:

• a volleyball game-play variation that emphasizes attacking (hitting/spiking).

How is 12U Smashball played?

• off of an ATTACK - the receiving team can catch the ball directly, OR after the ball bounces once,

and still continue the rally. (NO POINT IN SCORED)

• off of a SERVED or TOSSED ball - the receiving team must catch/play the ball directly.

NOTE: Setters may choose to use a:

o SELF-TOSS & VOLLEY (set) to the hitter, OR

o VOLLEY (set) to the hitter

Competition format:

• Open to Girls teams, Boys teams and/or Co-Ed teams

• 3 v 3 game play

• Recommended team size: 3 - 6 players

• The Mikasa VUL500 will be the competition ball for this age category

• The court is a volleyball court divided in half, length-wise (~4m X ~7m)

• Net height (~2m)

• Scores will be kept (flip cards . . . no scoresheets) to determine when teams switch sides

• There are NO referees. Teams will make their own line calls.

• NO medals will be awarded and NO champion will be declared

• This is intended as a fun competition (learning event) to serve as an introduction to competitive

volleyball

Match format:

• 25 minutes duration (new match starts every half-hour)

• Sets played to 15 points with a minimum lead of 2 points (no cap)

• 3

rd set will be played until time expires

• Fair play rule (ALL players must start in the 1st or 2nd set)

• Substitutions may occur in the event of an injury

• Ball movement between players (‘passes’) will be:

o PASS or TOSS –> VOLLEY (set) –> ATTACK

o 2

nd contact can be a self-toss and volley (set), if the player chooses

• The serve alternates between teams after EACH time the ball is grounded (. . . the ball bounces

more than once inbounds, the ball lands out of bounds or the ball is played into the net.)

• A team must rotate and introduce a new server when it is their turn to serve (The same as

traditional volleyball)

• No blocking allowed

• Underhand serve may occur from anywhere in the court behind the attack line OR, overhand

serve, if used, must occur from behind the Smashball court End line.

• Players cannot ‘walk’ with the ball. The ball must be played (passed / tossed) from the location

where it is caught.

12U - Support materials/resources:

Coach/Instructor - Training Opportunities:

• Intro to SMASHBALL - (FREE) On-line presentation - October 8, 2025

- registration required - (contact Tom Ash, Program Coordinator – tom@saskvolleyball.ca

• Intro to 12U - (FREE) On-line presentation - December 3, 2025

- registration required - (contact Tom Ash, Program Coordinator – tom@saskvolleyball.ca

• Smashball Coach Workshop – online training through Volleyball Canada

Smashball Coach Workshop information