Canada’s Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes cheer during the beach volleyball final against Brazil at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Volleyball Canada has unveiled its 2025 beach volleyball national team roster, featuring a blend of seasoned Olympians and rising talents. Out of six Olympians from the 2024 Paris Games, five will continue their journey with the team, showcasing their dedication and skill on the international stage.
Leading the senior women’s roster are Toronto natives Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes, who brought home silver medals from Paris. Joining them are fellow Olympians Heather Bansley from Waterdown, Ontario, and Sophie Bukovec, also from Toronto. This formidable lineup ensures Canada remains a strong contender in upcoming competitions.
On the men’s side, two-time Olympian Sam Schachter, a veteran of the sport, leads a diverse group. The Richmond Hill native is joined by fresh faces like Tynan Gannett, Luke de Greeff, Martin Licht, Steven Abrams, Jonny Pickett, and Guillaume Rivest. Some of these athletes gained recognition through the RBC Training Ground’s “Future Olympians” initiative, proving Canada’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
As Canada’s beach volleyball teams continue to shine, the NextGen program is carving out its own success. Recent podium finishes on the NORCECA Tour highlight the rising stars in the sport. Amy Ozee, a standout gold medalist from the sixth NORCECA Tour stop in Honduras, rejoins the women’s NextGen roster, accompanied by newcomer Emily Anderson. Other returning members include Marie-Alex Belanger, who boasts two NORCECA silver medals, and Lea Monkhouse.
Kerry MacDonald, Volleyball Canada’s chief sports officer, expressed his optimism for the future. “This roster is an exciting mix of veteran champions and upcoming stars. Following the outstanding performances in Paris and the success of our NextGen teams, 2025 promises to be an exceptional year for Canadian beach volleyball,” he said.
The senior athletes will compete in the Beach Pro Tour starting in March, vying for points and prizes. Meanwhile, Volleyball Canada has hinted at more additions to the summer roster, signalling an exciting season ahead for fans and players alike.
Roster Highlights
Senior Women:
- Brandie Wilkerson (Toronto)
- Melissa Humana-Paredes (Toronto)
- Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.)
- Sophie Bukovec (Toronto)
Senior Men:
- Sam Schachter (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
- Tynan Gannett (Dartmouth, N.S.)
- Luke de Greeff (Victoria)
- Steven Abrams (Georgetown, Ont.)
- Martin Licht (Toronto)
- Jonny Pickett (Wiarton, Ont.)
- Guillaume Rivest (Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Que.)
NextGen Women:
- Lea Monkhouse (Mississauga, Ont.)
- Amy Ozee (Maui, Haw.)
- Marie-Alex Belanger (Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, Que.)
- Emily Anderson (Las Vegas, Nev.)
NextGen Men:
- Details not provided
