Governance

To better understand the dynamics of who we serve as officials, it is important to also understand each of the governing bodies for our sport, the roles they play in its administration, and how it affects your assignments as a Referee. The chart below outlines the governance of Volleyball world-wide, beginning at the top and showing the direct path down to KDVC, your local referee group.

Check out Who We Serve for more information about each of the organizations and leagues our officials travel to.

FIVB

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING BODY

Established in 1947, with its headquarters in Switzerland, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) is committed to supporting the growth of national teams and athletes across the globe through world-leading development programs and is the governing body responsible for all forms of Volleyball on a global level. As part of their mandate, FIVB has seen a massive growth of the VNL as a premium "sportainment" product. The FIVB offers a range of competitions from Youth to Senior, from World Championships to World Cups and the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the world’s most prestigious annual volleyball competition.

The FIVB works closely with over 220 National Federations to develop the sport of Volleyball and are part of the Olympic Movement, contributing to the success of the Olympic Games. On the road to the Olympics, the National Federations are grouped into competition groups called Confederations each of which are further divided into Zonal Associations:

AVC - Asian Volleyball Confederation
CAVB - Confédération Africaine de Volleyball
CEV - Confédération Européenne de Volleyball
CSV - Confederación Sudamericana de Voleibol
NORCECA - North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation
- NCVA
  - Canada (CAN)

In both men's and women's competitions, Canada is a member of NORCECA - North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation, which represents 35 National Federations across 4 Zonal Associations. As a member of the NCVA Zone North Central Americas we compete against Cuba (CUB), the Dominican Republic (DOM), Mexico (MEX), Puerto Rico (PUR) and the United States (USA) on our journey.

VOLLEYBALL CANADA

CANADA'S NATIONAL FEDERATION MEMBER OF THE FIVB

As the National Federation member of the FIVB in Canada, Volleyball Canada (VC)'s vision is to be a world leader in the sport of volleyball, and their mission is to provide leadership that enhances participation and excellence in Canadian volleyball. To help accomplish this goal, VC works closely with their Provincial and Territorial Associations (PTAs) to develop the sport of Volleyball across Canada. Volleyball referees in Canada are governed by policies set forth by VC through the National Referee Committee which in turn works in close co-operation with Regional Officials' Chairpersons (ROCs) in each Region of the Association.

CHAMPIONSHIPS & EVENTS ORGANIZED THROUGH VC

While VC's Youth National Championships are the premier domestic, national event for the Canadian volleyball community, volleyball athletes from across the country at all ages and experience level, battle for national glory. Below are just some of the events you could find yourself being a part of as a referee.

Youth Nationals - 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U
Senior Nationals - 19+, Masters 40+, Masters 50+
Canada Cup (Beach & Indoor)
USPORTS Men's and Women's National Volleyball Championships
University and College Beach Nationals
Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Volleyball Championships

OVA

PTA MEMBER OF VOLLEYBALL CANADA FOR ONTARIO

The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA), the PTA member of volleyball Canada for Ontario, is an athlete-centered association whose mission is to provide leadership and expertise in the growth, development and delivery of volleyball in Ontario. The OVA also provides opportunities for individuals to become certified referees and to pursue ongoing professional development. As members of the OVA, all referees must meet the referee requirements outlined in the OVA's Referee Eligibility Policy, revised annually, as part of their membership.

Geographically, the OVA is divided into six Regions. The overall role of the Regions is to collaborate and cooperate to help grow the sport of volleyball in Ontario by integrating the OVA’s strategic plan into programs and drawing on the expertise within the Regions to strengthen programming. As each Region may have unique situations and environments that require attention and can enhance different aspects of the integration of OVA’s strategic plan, there needs to be a strong partnership with the Regions to realize the OVA’s vision to provide a fun, safe and rewarding environment through a commitment to Volleyball for Life.

Region 1 - Northwestern Ontario
- Manitoba border east to Marathon.
Region 2 - Northeastern Ontario
- Wawa to Mattawa, south to Muskoka (Parry Sound, Gravenhurst).
Region 3 - Southwestern Ontario
- Windsor east to Oakville (Halton), north to Bruce Peninsula.
Region 4 - Central East Ontario
- Pickering east to Amherstview, north to Haliburton area - Cobourg, Peterborough, Belleville, Trenton.
Region 5 - Central West Ontario
- Toronto, Mississauga (Peel, Dufferin) north to Port Severn and Collingwood (Orangeville, Brampton).
Region 6 - Eastern Ontario
- Deep River to Kingston and east to the Quebec border (Brockville, Cornwall, Ottawa).

CHAMPIONSHIPS AND EVENTS

The OVA Provincial Championships are the largest youth amateur volleyball event in Ontario, held annually for both indoor and beach volleyball. The indoor championships (11U-18U) feature over 1,300 teams while the beach championships (12U-18U) take place over two weekends in August. Referees can also be assigned to a range of matches like those listed below:

OVA tournaments (Indoor Youth Competitions and OVA Beach Tour)
OVA Provincial Championships
Ontario University Association (OUA) League Play & Championships
OCAA matches
High Schools, including OFSAA, EOSSAA and other league games and tournaments, and
other events.

KDVC

Kingston District Volleyball Council (KDVC) is your local association of Volleyball Canada (VC) referees. We are members of the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA)'s Region 6 - Eastern Ontario and while we referee primarily in Kingston and the surrounding area, your may be assigned anywhere across the province (OVA) or country (VC) depending on your certification level and active participation throughout the season.