High schools in Elliot Lake and Blind River will cohost the (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) OFSAA Sr. Girls' A Volleyball Championship from March 4 to March 6.
The championship will consist of the top 20 high school girls' A volleyball teams in the province playing in high school sports at its highest calibre.
“The championship will draw more than 400 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators from across the province to the North Shore area,” said Jon Lauricella W.C. Eaket Secondary School athletic director and NSSSA President (North Shore Secondary School Athletic Association) who is a convenor of the tournament with Cole Dumond, Acting ELSS athletic director. Phys ed and social science teacher.
An OFSAA event has only been hosted in Blind River twice 1986 Girls’ Curling) and 1989 Boys’ Basketball) and in Elliot Lake once in1989 (Boys' volleyball).
“It will be great for our local economy,” Lauricella said. “Over the course of the event, visitors will require accommodation in local motels and hotels, will purchase food and supplies from community restaurants and grocery stores, visit local businesses, and take in local attractions.”
OFSAA is a federation of 18 regional school athletic associations, geographically spread across the province. It is comprised of student-athletes, teacher-coaches, principals, and sports administrators, all committed to the philosophy of education through school sport.
Because Elliot Lake and Blind River are jointly hosting the event rules don’t allow for the host to have more than one team entered in the tournament. The ELSS team will represent the two communities after it won in a playoff with Blind River.
Teams are not chosen to take part. In order to compete in the OFSAA event, a school team must win their local volleyball playoffs, then their district association's tournament (i.e., NOSSA) to advance to OFSAA. OFSAA is the highest level of interschool sport for high school athletics.
Games will be played in Blind River at W.C. Eaket Secondary School and "In-Motion Fitness" gym on the Mississaugi First Nation and in Elliot Lake at Elliot Lake Secondary School and École Secondaire Villa Française des Jeunes.
One day three, consolation and championship semi-finals will be held at ELSS and VFJ, while the consolation final, bronze medal match, and championship match will be held at ELSS.
Organizers would like to thank Mississaugi First Nation and École Secondaire Villa Française des Jeunes for allowing the use of their facilities to host games and make the tournament possible. Thanks are also expressed to the many staff and student volunteers from W.C. Eaket, Elliot Lake Secondary School and from École Secondaire Catholique Jeunesse-Nord in (Blind River French-Catholic high school) for helping organize the event.
“It would not be possible without everyone's combined effort,” Lauricella said.
Thanks are also extended to medical staff from Huron Shores Family Health Team for volunteering their time to be at the tournament and title sponsor of the tournament Cameco for its donation which helps reduce operational costs of the tournament.
“Thank you to all the local businesses and residents for their generous donations as well.”
Passes to attend any games are $20 for a tournament pass that gives access to any game at any location throughout the entire event, $10 day pass gives access to any game at any location for the day they are purchased, and a $5 day pass for students.