VNS IDEA Committee Progress Report

VNS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee progress report - April 2024

On April 5, 2023, Volleyball Nova Scotia launched an anonymous members’ survey, aiming to help the organization begin to identify gaps and barriers to meaningfully participate in the sport. The survey’s findings will be used to guide future VNS strategic planning, programming and outreach. 

The survey was shared via social media channels (Facebook, Instagram), newsletter and Volleyball Nova Scotia’s website and closed on May 1, 2023. A total of 619 respondents took the survey; 35% identified as youth athletes, 43% parents/guardians, 21% coaches, 7.8% adult athletes, 6% volunteers and 5% officials.

What We Heard 

There were 370 responses shared as comments, suggestions, or recommendations to improve the volleyball experience with VNS. The IDEA Committee consolidated this information into the following themes.

ACCESS: We heard about many different kinds of barriers that impede participation and leave room for improvement in the volleyball experience for some current community members, as well as those that may be looking to join the VNS community. These included: communication, financial, geography and inclusion.

EDUCATION: Respondents felt that there needs to be ongoing opportunities for various training related to safe sport, inclusion of various communities and backgrounds in both safe and meaningful ways, and pathways to building more capacity in rural areas. 

ACCOUNTABILITY: Survey respondents had questions about the role of VNS in holding its members accountable to a standard of conduct with regards to club, coach and referee behaviours and practices. In some cases, there was a desire for more transparency from individual clubs, in others a need for clear communication (or access to existing information) regarding the association’s mandate and mechanisms for managing complaints.

Recommendations from the VNS IDEA Committee

1. Redesign the VNS website to make it more accessible and easy to navigate

2. Make the CAC Anti-Racism in Coaching module a requirement for club coaches, officials and board members in 2025

3. Commit to providing more opportunities for athletes, coaches and officials to  learn outside of HRM

4. Ensure the 2024-2028 VNS Strategic Plan is developed through an IDEA lens

5. Explore ways to support  more recreational-level volleyball in our communities

Progress since spring 2023...

• Return of sitting volleyball
• ​Queer Volleyball League (indoor & beach)
• She Can Coach mentorship program (annual)
• Anti-Racism in Coaching campaign
• Province-wide coach PD  tour (annual)
• Welcome to Smashball Program (ongoing)
• Team NS Athlete Assistance Fund (in progress)
• EDI-Coach Apprenticeship Program (in progress)
• Website redesign (in progress)​

VNS IDEA Committee Members
David Fairfax

Sanjay Khanna

Gabe Moshett

Sophie Pitre-Arsenault

Jessica Quillan

Kevin Reade

Lauren Sears

Shaniya Vance

Debbie Worden

Allison Saunders, VNS board liaison

Megan Conroy, VNS staff liaison

Questions or feedback? Contact allison.m.saunders@gmail.com.