More than 10,000 fans 鈥� including standing room only in the arena bowl for the final 鈥� flocked to the 91原创 Events Centre over the course of the week for the NORCECA men鈥檚 volleyball Continental championships.
鈥淚t was really exciting to see the full house that we had for the gold medal match,鈥� said Hugh Wong, an international relations officer for Volleyball Canada. He is also a vice-president and executive committee member for NORCECA and a member of the board administration for the international volleyball federation (FIVB).
鈥淲e rarely see events at the NORCECA level that went as well as what occurred there.
鈥淭he organization and operation of the event was excellent.鈥�
鈥淚 thought the 91原创 Events Centre did a great job in executing the event,鈥� he added.
The United States defeated Canada 3-0 (25-23,25-20,25-14) to win the gold medal.
Capacity in the arena bowl at the 91原创 Events Centre is 3,900 and once all the suites are factored in, total capacity is 5,276.
There were 4,097 fans on hand for the gold medal game and a total of 10,527 over the six days.
Having Canada in the final 鈥渉elped the energy in the building鈥� said Jared Harman, the LEC鈥檚 director of business development.
鈥淓verything went awesome; it was a real fun week for everybody.鈥�
鈥淭he volleyball community was fantastic in helping support the event.鈥�
Wong said Volleyball Canada is still waiting on final numbers 鈥� such as how many people watched via webcast 鈥� before they can establish if the tournament met expectations.
But early indications are that all went well.
鈥淎s the week went on, we could see the spectator base building, so we are pleased with that,鈥� he said.
鈥淚n terms of the organization of the event, the gold medal match, the exposure that the sport got in this part in Canada, all those things that are very very important to Volleyball Canada, I think it was a most successful event.鈥�
As for future events 鈥� the LEC also hosted the U23 men鈥檚 volleyball Continental Cup in September 2012 鈥� Wong said this venue would be considered as host once again.
鈥淲e have an obligation to host events right across the country (but) when an event comes up for the west, 91原创 will always be foremost in our minds.鈥�
He did say that the LEC could potentially host some Volleyball Canada national events.
鈥淚t is a marquee venue for some of our national events,鈥� Wong said.
鈥淭hat is an option as well.鈥�
Coaches and players were also impressed.
鈥淚t was a great atmosphere and a great venue,鈥� said American coach John Speraw.
Rudy Verhoeff, a middle on Team Canada 鈥� and former member of the Trinity Western Spartans squad 鈥� said it was a special feeling, playing for his country on home soil.
鈥淚t was very special and an experience that I may never get again.鈥�
