For Release: May 10, 2010



Gatineau, Que---Gord Perrin is hoping that his storied volleyball career will move to the next level over the next week. The native of Creston, BC has been in the sports spotlight ever since he came to Thompson Rivers University three years ago.

A CIS First-Team All-Star in 2009-10, the 6’6 Perrin is one of 44 players vying for a spot on one of Canada’s Senior National Teams. This is the first time the former Junior National Team captain has been invited to the selection camp.

“I’ve been training very hard and hope that it pays off at the tryout,” Perrin says. “Im feeling anxious now that the tryouts are underway. I’ve been staying at the hotel with a few of the guys I played with on the Junior National Team. My body is feeling good.”

Perrin, who was second this past year in the Canada West in Kills and Points Scored admits to being nervous. “ This is the biggest tryout I have ever been to but I am trying to remain confident. This is a pivotal point in my career.”

Like any elite player, Perrin is looking at the possibility of a selection to one of the teams as a gateway to a professional career overseas. “ This is definitely the right place for me to be to achieve my goals.”

The head coach of the National Team is Glenn Hoag. “He is someone I deeply admire and respect,” Perrin stated. “He has coached some of the best professional teams in the world and worked with some of the best players. Whatever decisions he makes , I have to believe they are the right ones.”

Hoag has invited 16 left sides to camp including Perrin. There are five returning veterans from last year’s squad including University of Alberta grads Nicolas Cundy and Andre Gaumont, Manitoba alum Toon Van Lankvelt and Victoria,BC product Fred Winters who played in the NCAA with Pepperdine.

Perrin is taking a very mature outlook into the training camp. “ Many of the players at this tryout have played professionally and are very successful in the pro leagues. I feel playing with these guys will give me an idea of what the next level is like and what to expect before I take the next step into a professional career.”

The WolfPack co-captain from 2009-10 still hasn’t ruled out returning to TRU for his fourth year of academic eligibility. The Camp runs until May 14 th. Canada’s Senior National “A” team will be travelling to tournaments this summer while trying to qualify for the 2010 Summer Olympics in London England. The “B” team will essentially train against the “A” squad this summer as they gear up for their own tournament in 2011.

Canada is ranked 21 st in the world in men’s volleyball.

Larry Read
Sports Information Officer
Thompson Rivers University
900 McGill Road, P.O. Box 3010
Kamloops, BC, Canada V2C 5N3
(250) 377-6117 (office)
(250) 371-5672 (fax)
lread@tru.ca
(250) 819-5255 (blackberry)