Halifax, Canada, November 3, 2010 – The Halifax Waterfront, Canada was announced as the venue for the 2011 SWATCH FIVB Junior World Championships at a press conference held at the Delta Halifax, Canada on Tuesday.
 
Over 400 delegates and athletes from more than 30 countries will descend on Halifax for both the men's and women's championships, taking place from August 30-September 4. On hand for the announcement was one-half of Canada's gold-medal men's team, Sam Schachter.  He and partner Garrett May were undefeated in their bid to take the 2010 international title home to Canada this past September in Alanya, Turkey. 

"It was really surreal to win the championship and hearing today's announcement and knowing that it is coming to Canada next year is really poignant for both Garrett and myself," said Schachter. His team's win gave the Canadians a first-ever medal and first final-four placement for either gender in the event's 10-year history.
 
FIVB Technical Supervisor Ed Drakich spoke on behalf of Volleyball Canada and the FIVB when he said: "This championship comes as we see the continued proliferation of our sport across Canada. Bringing the best in the world junior divisions and the FIVB tournament to Halifax in 2011 is history in the making."
 
The SWATCH FIVB Junior World Championships are held annually at beach locations all over the world with the last edition's winners in Alanya, Turkey being Schachter and Garrett May in the Boy's Junior competition and USA's Tara Roenicke and Summer Ross in the Girls' event. Perhaps one of the more unique features of the Halifax event will be the venue. Some 2,000 tonnes of sand will be trucked into position via 66 trailers in the week leading up to the tournament, with a beach surface being put in place beside a temporary stadium. 

The event producer and president of Sports and Entertainment Atlantic, Derek Martin, said that the venue and the timing of the championship would made Halifax a perfect selection for the 2011 tournament. "The Halifax Waterfront provides an absolutely stunning location and our date will allow us to celebrate the end of summer with a party that the whole world is invited to attend."

Martin was pleased with the early support from the corporate community adding that the organisers "are well on our way to making this event a success with many partners recognizing the value and significance of attracting this international championship to Halifax."

Corporate partners who have already signed on for the event include Waterfront Development Corporation, CTV, CHUM, the Chronicle Herald, CBS Outdoor, Bud Light Lime, Avis, the Delta Halifax, Atlantic Digital, Coca-Cola, RCR Hospitality and Canuckstuff.  Martin closed by saying that "several opportunities remain for partners and service providers of all sizes".