On Thursday, June 6th, Volleyball Canada honoured the 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees and Volleyball Nova Scotia is very proud that three of these talented athletes have Nova Scotian ties. Rick Bacon an Jody Holden grew up in Nova Scotia and played university volleyball in the province. After moving to Nova Scotia for work, Janis Kelly helped grow the sport of volleyball in the Yarmouth area through coaching.
Induction Category: Team
1984 Canadian Men’s Olympic Team
The Canadian Men’s Volleyball team qualified for the Olympic Games in 1984 by finishing as the runner-up at the 1983 Norceca Championships, behind the United States. This was one of the best Canadian squads ever assembled, finishing with a record of 3 wins and 1 loss in their preliminary round. The team defeated Egypt, China and Japan with 3-0 scores, only losing to Italy with a 1-3 score. They then met the USA in the semi-final losing 3-0 and then faced the Italians in the hard fought bronze medal match. They were unable to handle the Italians and finished the Games in 4th place, Canada’s best-ever Olympic result. Members of the team were: John Barrett, Al Coulter, Terry Danyluk, Paul Gratton, Glenn Hoag, Tom Jones, Dave Jones, Alex Ketrzynski, Garth Pischke, Don Saxton, Randy Wagner and Nova Scotia’s own, Rick Bacon. (Volleyball Canada)
Rick grew up in Windsor, Nova Scotia, and did not start playing volleyball until Grade 11. He played for the Windsor Regional High School team for two years and caught on to the sport quickly. Rick was also a talented hockey player, but a bursary from Volleyball Nova Scotia changed his focus and pushed him to pursue a career in volleyball. Rick went on to play at Acadia University for four years, where he got scouted for the Canadian National Team. Along with the bursary, Rick helped out at clinics run by Volleyball Nova Scotia around the province at different high schools to help promote and grow the sport of volleyball. Rick acknowledges that coming from a small province makes wearing the maple leaf much more meaningful. Growing up in a small town can make things more difficult, with fewer people playing the sport and not having the ability to play against good competition all the time. That being said, this did not stop Rick. Due to his drive and effort, the results took care of themselves. He is proud to be a Nova Scotian and to have had the opportunity to represent Canada.
Induction Category: Team
Jody Holden & Conrad Leinemann
Jody Holden had a stellar career playing for Dalhousie University from 1986-1991, where he was a four-time CIS All-Canadian. After his indoor career finished, Jody partnered with Conrad Leinemann. The beach duo represented Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba where they won the gold medal. Jody competed as a professional beach player for 11 seasons, with the highlight of his career being the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia where he and Conrad represented Canada and finished in 9th place. (Volleyball Canada)
Jody grew up in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Volleyball was not overly popular in the community of approximately 2,500 people. His first introduction to volleyball was when he was eight years old. His mother was passionate about volleyball and was his biggest influence in getting him involved in a sport that he learned to love. Jody has an impressive resume when it comes to achievements in Nova Scotia. At age 18, Jody received bursaries for his leadership and started his career at Dalhousie University under the watch of head coach Al Scott. He was a five-time AUAA conference all-star and a four-time CIS All-Canadian. Jody attributes all his successes in life to the sport of volleyball and the community that comes along with it. When asked about a coach who played a significant role, Jody quickly responded with Al Scott. More commonly known today as the Bedford Blizzard club director, Al Scott was head coach of the Dalhousie men’s volleyball team while Jody played there. Jody describes Al as a “precise and dedicated coach”. Al helped Jody start his Olympic career and helped groom him into a talented, well rounded volleyball player.
Induction Category: Athlete
Janis Kelly
Janis Kelly’s volleyball career began late at the age of 14 at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute in Winnipeg. She then went on to star at the University of Winnipeg where she and her teammates won the CIAU/CIS Championship in 1993. Janis joined the Junior National team in 1991 and was then invited to join the Senior National Team the following year. She represented Canada at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA, and then at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. She also had a lengthy and successful professional career, competing for teams in Turkey, Italy and France. (Volleyball Canada)
It was Janis Kelly’s career that brought her to Nova Scotia. She is an RCMP officer who was assigned to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, from 2009 until 2015. She loved Yarmouth and found it very beautiful. While in Nova Scotia, Janis continued to share her passion and love for the sport of volleyball. She spent three years helping coach Université Sainte-Anne. She also put on a clinic at the local YMCA in Yarmouth for all youth interested in the sport. In the sessions she ran, she shared how sport can be an outlet from everyday issues and problems, and that you can learn many life skills along with making lasting friendships. The advice Janis would give to young Nova Scotian athletes striving to play at the next level is to take it step-by-step. It is important to have goals, but also live in the moment and give it all that you can. If a goal is too hard to see, be confident, work hard, and success will come. She encourages every athlete to play with heart and passion every day and enjoy the experience. In volleyball, there will be great wins and tough losses but never forget why you are there. Volleyball allows you to meet new people who will change your life.
Volleyball Nova Scotia would like to congratulate all of the inductees on an incredible career and their dedication to the sport of volleyball. Through their efforts, they have contributed to the growth and advancement of volleyball in Nova Scotia.
