2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Blair Bann, a distinguished libero and a stalwart of Canadian volleyball, has had an illustrious career marked by numerous accolades and pivotal performances on the international stage.

Bann began playing volleyball at fourteen, later he heard about club volleyball and made the NAVC 16U Gold team. After graduating high school, he went on to the University of British Columbia, where he played for five years. He was a two-time CIS Top Libero (2008, 2010) and four-time Canada West Best Libero (2008-2011), leading the Thunderbirds to consecutive runner-up finishes at the Canada West Championship in 2007 and 2008. His collegiate success also included representing Canada at the 2009 Universiade in Belgrade, where the team finished sixth, and winning gold with Team Alberta at the 2009 Canada Summer Games

Bann made his professional debut in 2012, primarily playing with German club SWD Powervolleys Düren. His international club career highlights include finishing third in both the 2015 German Bundesliga and German Cup with Düren, and second in the 2020 German Cup and third in the 2021 Bundesliga standings. While playing in France, he finished second in both Ligue A and the French Cup with Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 in 2019 and came fifth in the Champions League.

Internationally, Bann's career is decorated with significant achievements. He was a member of Team Canada at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, where he was voted Best Digger. He made his FIVB World League debut in 2012, helping Canada achieve a fifth-place finish in 2013, and was named Best Receiver at the 2013 NORCECA Continental Championship, where Canada won silver.

In 2015, Bann was instrumental in Canada winning gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship and helped the team secure a seventh-place finish at the FIVB World Cup, matching Canada’s best-ever result. His efforts were crucial in qualifying Canada for the Rio 2016 Olympics, marking the country’s first men’s Olympic volleyball spot since 1992. In Rio, Bann helped Canada achieve a fifth-place finish, their best result since 1984.

Bann continued to shine, being named Best Libero at the 2017 FIVB World League as Canada won its first-ever bronze medal in an international FIVB event. That year, Canada also secured bronze at the NORCECA Continental Championship. In 2018, Bann competed in his first FIVB World Championship, with Canada finishing ninth, a position they also achieved at the 2019 FIVB World Cup.

He played a pivotal role in Canada qualifying for Tokyo 2020, leading the team to an undefeated record at the NORCECA Continental Qualifier, where he was named tournament MVP and Best Receiver. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bann helped Canada finish eighth at both the 2021 FIVB Nations League and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Blair Bann’s dedication and performance have left an indelible mark on Canadian volleyball. His career is a testament to his skill, resilience, and commitment to the sport. 

Blair Bann's career is highlighted by his exceptional contributions and leadership on and off the court, making him a deserving inductee into the Volleyball Alberta Hall of Fame. 

Achievements and Milestones: Olympic Games: 2016 (5th place), 2020 (8th place)  Pan American Games: 2011 (6th place)  FISU Universiade: 2009 (6th place)  FIVB World Cup: 2015 (7th place), 2019 (9th place)  FIVB World Championships: 2018 (9th place)  FIVB Nations League: 2018 (7th place), 2019 (9th place), 2021 (8th place)  FIVB World League: 2012 (12th place), 2013 (5th place), 2014 (15th place), 2015 (15th place), 2016 (13th place), 2017 (Bronze)  NORCECA Continental Championships: 2013 (Silver), 2015 (Gold), 2017 (Bronze), 2019 (Bronze)