HISTORY
In December 1989, a group of dedicated local high school aged girls expressed a desire to play competitive volleyball at an elite level in Ontario. The result was the creation of the Midland Volleyball Association and the beginning of an exciting chapter in girls athletics in the Midland/Penetanguishene area was born.
One year later, the Georgian Bay Vista Volleyball Club emerged from the MVA and provided volleyball opportunities for girls aged 11-19 in the Huronia area. A member in good standing within the Ontario Volleyball Association, the GBVC has teams in the 14 and under, 16 and under, and 18 and under age divisions. In addition to competing in tournaments provincially and nationally, the GBVC competes in invitational tournaments in the United States.
When the GBVC came into existence, it was the only club of its kind in the Simcoe County area, providing an opportunity for girls to play competitive volleyball against teams from across Ontario. Vista was adopted as the club’s nickname because the name suggests a panoramic view, something synonymous with the Georgian Bay region.
Vista started with Midget and Juvenile teams, and a Bantam House League program, which eventually was incorporated into the club as a full competitive team. Players for the Vista teams in the first few years of the program came almost exclusively from elementary and secondary schools in the Midland/ Penetanguishene area.
Over the years, players started coming from across Huronia depsite the existence of clubs in other communities. Players have travelled from as far as Collingwood, Orillia and Alliston to be members of the club. From its modest beginnings with only nine players, Vista can boast players in all age divisions and has been successful in winning not only provincial championships but international events as well.
Significant club achievments include:
OVA Championships
International Competitions
OVA Provincial Champions 19 and under 2006-2007
Silver Medal OVA Provincials 17 and under 2005-2006
Bronze Medal OVA Provincials 16 and under 2005-2006
OVA Provincial Champions 16 and under 2004-2005
OVA Provincial Champions 14 and under 2004-2005
Bronze Medal 17 and under 2004-2005
Bronze Medal 16 and under 2003-2004
OVA Provincial Champions 18 and under 2002-2003
Bronze Medal 20 and under 2002-2003
Gold Medal Jamestown New York Invitational 18 and under 2005-2006
Gold Medal Rochester New York Invitational 14 and under 2004-2005
Bronze Medal East Coast Championships 18 and under 2004-2005
Gold Medal East Coast Championships 18 and under 2001-2002
Silver Medal East Coast Championships 18 and under 2000-2001
Bronze Medal East Coast Championships 17 and under 1999-2000
The club is based out of Ecole Secondaire Le Caron in Penetanguishene. In previous years, the club also practiced at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Midland, the old St. Theresa’s High School in Midland and the Midland YMCA.
Many members of the GBVC have continued their volleyball careers at colleges and universities in Canada and the United States. Somer Deschambault, now graduated from the Univeristy of Buffalo, was the first Vista player to earn a full athletic scholarship.
Erin Belcourt Fanshawe College
Sarah Wheatcroft Delaware State University
Amy Town University of Pittsburgh
Laura Powers Boston College/University of Toronto
Jennifer Carrigan University of Western Ontario
Nicole Belcourt University of Western Ontario
Melissa St. Amant Wilfrid Laurier University
Karina Scherloski Brock University
Brianne Marchildon Queen's University
Anna Hartman Guelph University
Julie Hartman McMaster University
Becky Gratrix Brock University
Michelle Vaters Durham College
Jessica King Seton Hall University
Hilary Black Houghton College, New York
Kristy Mainusch Georgian College, Barrie
Kristy Town Wilfrid Laurier University
Laura Scherloski Georgian College
Tyra Grozelle Georgian College
