Volleyball Canada – The 2016 World ParaVolley Intercontinental tournament (March 17 to 23), which was a last-chance Paralympic qualifier for the Canadian men’s team, concluded today in Anji, Huzhou, China.
 
With only one berth available, Russia won the tournament and earned the spot in the 2016 Paralympic Games, after beating Ukraine in the final.
 
The Canadian men’s sitting volleyball team finished sixth overall (results below).
 
“We showed that we could compete with many of the top nations and our ball control was strong all tournament, but as one of the smallest teams at the event, we struggled to win battles at the net and side-out efficiently,” explained Ian Halliday, Volleyball Canada’s sitting volleyball high performance director. The men also struggled with some illness at the event, but will take a lot home with them from this experience.  

“Ultimately, any opportunity that we have to come to an event and play these teams is extremely beneficial, and gives coaches and athletes the opportunity to see the other countries and not only compete against them, but learn from them as well.”
 
The Canadian women’s team – already qualified for Rio as a result of the Parapan Am Games – were in the “Qualified Pool” at the Intercontinental. Canada’s women also finished sixth in China. 
 
“On the women’s side, our coaches really emphasized this event as part of the process as we continue to prepare for Rio. With four new athletes on this roster since the Parapan Am Games, this event was a great opportunity for them to see a high level of competition against teams that we will see again in Rio,” said Halliday.   

“This whole event was about teaching and learning, and the team is really buying into the process and working hard towards being a competitive team at the Paralympic Games.”
 
Russia also earned the women’s berth available for teams playing in the unqualified pool.
 
Men’s Team Canadian Results
March 17 – CAN vs IRQ : 2-3 (25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 10-25, 11-15) 
March 18 – CAN vs KAZ : 0-3 (21-25, 22-25, 13-25)
March 19 – CAN vs POL : 2-3 (18-25, 25-14, 25-20, 23-25, 11-15)
March 20 – CAN vs KOR : 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-15)
                 CAN vs JPN : 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-16)
March 21 – CAN vs RUS  : 0-3 (15-25, 21-25, 9-25)
​                  CAN vs UKR  : 0-3 (20-25, 20-25, 25-27)
March 22 – CAN vs NED  : 1-3 (25-23, 22-25, 19-25, 18-25)

Women’s Team Canadian Results
March 17 – CAN vs BRA : 1-3 (22-25, 29-27, 15-25, 13-25)
March 18 – CAN vs RWA : 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-19)
March 19 – CAN vs IRI  : 0-3 (19-25, 23-25, 15-25)
March 20 – CAN vs CHN  : 0-3 (10-25, 19-25, 8-25)
​                  CAN vs USA : 0-3 (8-25, 9-25, 8-25)
March 21 – CAN vs UKR  : 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 14-25)
March 22 – CAN vs IRI (5^th/6^th match) : 1-3 (25-20, 21-25, 19-25, 11-25)

Women:
Jolan Wong, Petawawa, ON
Chantal Beauchesne, Ottawa, ON
Heidi Peters, Edmonton, AB
Danielle Ellis, White Rock, BC
Jennifer Oakes, Calgary, AB
Leanne Muldrew, Winnipeg, MB
Katelyn Wright, Edmonton, AB
Shacarra Orr, Jaffray, BC
Felicia Voss-Shafiq, Suva, Fiji
Julie Kozun, Saskatoon, SK
 
Head Coach:  Nicole Ban
Assistant Coach:  Christine Smyth
Physiotherapist:  Lauren Vickery
Manager:  Ian Halliday
 
Men:
Doug Learoyd, Calgary, AB
Austin Hinchey, Edmonton, AB
Jamoi Anderson, North York,ON
Chris Bird, Brandon, MB
Andrew Tucker, Bronx, NY, USA
Larry Matthews, St. Albert, AB
Dariusz Symonowicz, Ottawa, ON
Jesse Buckingham, Toronto, ON
Jesse Ward, Calgary, AB
 
Head Coach:  Ray Sewell
Assistant Coach:  Paul Shearme
Physiotherapist:  Anne Fleming
Manager:  Ian Halliday

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
E-mail: jskender@volleyball.ca
Phone: 613.794.7676