FROM VOLLEYBALL BC
TELEPHONE: (604) 364-2660
BRIAN HIEBERT – COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
For Immediate Release
Gord Perrin Returns to BC with Team Canada
Watch for Canada’s Starting Outside Hitter in Langley later this month
Langley, BC September 17th – Gord Perrin is bringing his volleyball skills back to British Columbia for the first time in years, as the Creston, BC native looks to lead Canada’s National Men’s Volleyball team to Gold at the NORCECA’S. The 2013 NORCECA Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship is set for September 23-28 at the Langley Events Centre and Perrin can’t wait, “I’m really excited, I don’t get a ton of opportunities to play in front of family and friends,” Perrin said, “I think it’s going to be an awesome atmosphere.” This tournament is Canada’s main focus now but Perrin knows it means a lot more as the team continues moving forward, “We want to win NORCECA, that’s our goal right now, but these tournaments are all leading towards qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.”
Perrin was a big part of the Canadian squad that came within one win of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London last summer, which ended in a straight sets loss to the USA. The NORCECA’S will give Perrin and Canada an opportunity for redemption and Perrin credits his coach for preparing the team for that moment, “We’ve been stressing the same system for a few years and it’s finally starting to work for us,” Perrin said, “All the hard work we’ve put in the last couple years has built the team to where it is now.”
The talent pool for Canada keeps growing as Perrin was one of the first young stars to break into the starting lineup last year at just 22 years of age. He began last summer in a supporting role but eventually earned the starting spot through strong play and hard work. Perrin looked mature beyond his years during World League play last summer even when it came to playing the world number 1 ranked team, Brazil. He helped lead Canada to a 5 set victory on home soil, in a game that will be remembered forever. Perrin did one better in this year’s World League tournament, leading team in points against world number 2 ranked Russia, in another unforgettable 5 set win.
Perrin isn’t the only young player pushing for a spot and he believes that’s a major reason for the team’s recent success, “We’ve never had this many talented players on the team at one time so it’s a new thing for our country and our team. Everyone’s pushing each other and we all have the same goal.” Fighting for a starting role as a young player is nothing new to Perrin, as he’s been doing it throughout his career. When Perrin started his University career for the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack in 2006-07 he had to earn his spot, but it didn’t take long to make an impact. Perrin started most of the season and helped lead the Wolfpack to a Bronze Medal at the CIS National Champions, which was the school’s first ever CIS Medal.
Perrin is improving with each tournament he plays in and he has been a huge factor in Canada’s recent jump from 18th to 11th in the FIVB World Rankings. Perrin and his teammates will be looking to take another step forward when they hit the floor at the NORCECA Championship later this month. Canada’s round robin action starts with a match against Guatemala on Monday September 23 at 8pm, followed by an 8pm game on Wednesday September 25 against Mexico. All matches will be played at the Langley Events Centre. For the complete schedule visit www.langleyeventscentre.com/continentalvolleyball. For tickets, head to www.ticketmaster.ca
About the NORCECA Continental Championship
Nine teams from the FIVB’s North and Central America and Caribbean regions will participate. Among the top men’s teams in the round-robin tournament are the United States (#5 FIVB, #1 NORCECA), Cuba (#5, #2) Canada (#11, #3), Puerto Rico (#20, #4), and Mexico (#23, #5).
The Canadian team is currently in the midst of a two-week tour in Europe for training and matches. Although the final lineups have yet to be released, the Canadian team includes several BC natives, including captain Fred Winters (Victoria), setter Josh Howatson (Victoria) and leftside Gord Perrin (Creston).
Full tournament schedule: http://www.langleyeventscentre.com/continentalvolleyball
Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/Norceca-Mens-Volleyball-Continental-Championships-tickets/artist/1865380
Webcast: http://www.langleyeventscentre.com/events/video-streams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/2013-Norceca-Mens-Volleyball-Continental-Challenge/599576243388977
Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.ca
The 2013 NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship gold-medal team qualifies for the 2013 FIVB Grand Champions Cup to be played November 19th to 24thin Japan. The NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship is held every other year. Cuba is the defending champion; Canada finished third at the last event.
NORCECA is the continental confederation that represents its 35 member countries at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) level. The Confederation is responsible for, among other things, the staging of Olympic and World Championship zone qualification tournaments, as well as Continental Championships for both men and women in Indoor and Beach Volleyball.
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For more information:
Brian Hiebert
Communications Manager
Volleyball BC
604-364-2660
