Niverville’s Community Resource and Rec Centre was home-base for the 2025 CCAA Men’s National Volleyball Championship games, held March 5 – 8, 2025. The Director of Recreation and Wellness says it was a resounding success, with the town, local businesses, and fans all benefiting from the event’s high energy and positive atmosphere.
Warren Britton says he was thrilled with how everything turned out.
“Honestly, from the town’s point of view, it was nonstop positives,” he said. “We were so happy to see that pretty much every game had decent attendance. The Fieldhouse may not be huge, but with a few hundred people, it didn’t seem empty. The fans were here, they were loud, and it was just a fun experience.”
The championship was not only a hit with sports enthusiasts but also provided a boost to local businesses.
“Even Smitty’s Niverville was packed on Friday night with both fans and volleyball players,” Britton shared. “It was good for the businesses, good for the town, and good for Providence. I think everyone had a really positive experience.”
While everything went smoothly for the event, Britton was quick to praise the host committee, especially Providence, for their organization.
“The host committee was just very organized and helpful. They were new to this, but we worked together really well,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t think there was anything that stood out as something we wouldn’t do again.”
The CRRC has hosted many events, but this national volleyball championship was the largest of its kind in the facility’s history. Britton described it as a different kind of big.
“We host a lot of volleyball tournaments, but this felt different because only two teams played at a time,” he explained. “When the Providence Pilots played on Wednesday, it definitely felt like the most people we’ve ever had in the Fieldhouse—about 1,500 fans.”
This event marked Niverville's first time hosting a national volleyball championship, a milestone the town is proud of.
“Yes, this was the biggest event on this stage for us,” Britton said. “And we’re excited because we’ve already agreed to host the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Nationals.”
Looking ahead, he noted that there might be small adjustments for next time but nothing too major.
“We’ll tweak a few things here and there, but overall, it was a big success. The roadmap for next year is set,” he said, adding that the volunteer group might change, bringing in new ideas.
As for numbers, Britton didn’t have exact stats yet but noted that the event drew visitors from across Canada, Manitoba, and the southeast.
“Everyone seemed very happy with the turnout,” he said. “I think Providence and the town were really impressed with how it went.”
He also encouraged locals to continue supporting community sports.
“We’ve got lots of great games happening locally right now, from Eastman AAA hockey championships to Nighthawks playoffs. Come on down, support the local teams, and enjoy a good game!”
To wrap up, Britton gave a heartfelt thank you to all involved in the event.
“As the smallest community ever to host a CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship, I want to personally thank Providence for trusting us to do this. I also want to thank the hosting committee, volunteers, my staff, the Town Office, the Council, and all the teams and fans who made this possible. I can’t wait for the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Nationals.”