New sponsor, Gay Games, and solidarity program mark a turning point for Montreal LGBTQ+ volleyball. For over twenty years, Volley Boréal has been bouncing balls and breaking down barriers in the world of sports. One of Quebec’s most established LGBTQ+ volleyball leagues has just announced three major initiatives that demonstrate its vitality: the arrival of an iconic sponsor, significant participation in the upcoming Gay Games, and the creation of a program to make sports more accessible.
Officially established in 2004 in Montreal, Volley Boréal was born from the merger of several historic gay volleyball clubs in the city. Over the years, the league has become structured and developed a loyal community of players, positioning itself as an inclusive and safe sporting space. Unlike some traditional sports clubs, Volley Boréal has always maintained an open approach to the LGBTQ+ spectrum and allies, rejecting any discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, origin, or economic situation. This commitment has allowed the league to build a strong reputation in the community sports field. Today, this history serves as a springboard for new development and outreach projects.
Pascal Clément, an inspiring sponsor
In this expansion effort, Volley Boréal announces the arrival of its very first official sponsor and spokesperson: Pascal Clément. A well-known figure in Quebec volleyball, Clément has made his mark on the sport as an elite athlete, university coach, and operations director of the Rouge et Or club in Laval. He is also one of the first openly gay coaches in Quebec volleyball. Today, as a photographer, speaker, and consultant, he remains highly involved in various community initiatives, particularly with young people. For him, this commitment to Volley Boréal is part of a personal journey of passing on knowledge. “After over 40 years in volleyball, I have received so much. Today, as a retired coach who is openly gay, sponsoring an LGBTQ+ league and allies is my way of giving back and celebrating inclusion in sports,” he states. This collaboration, made possible thanks to the support of Guillaume Proulx Goulet, executive director of Volleyball Quebec, marks an important moment for the league, which aims to increase its visibility in Montreal and at the provincial level.
Heading to Gay Games with Team Montreal
Volley Boréal is also gearing up to reach a new milestone on the international stage. The league will participate in the upcoming Gay Games in Valencia under the banner of Team Montreal. Nearly forty athletes from Volley Boréal will be part of this delegation. Team Montreal brings together several LGBTQ+ sports and leisure organizations in the greater metropolitan area. Its mission: support its members, promote their participation in international sporting events, and foster an inclusive, accessible, and discrimination-free environment. For Volley Boréal, this presence at the Gay Games represents more than just a competition. “It’s an opportunity to showcase on the world stage the values that define the league: diversity, equality, and the fulfillment of athletes, regardless of their identity or background,” explains Ludovic Bouché from Volley Boréal.
A program to make sports accessible
Beyond athletic performance, the league also aims to address obstacles that may prevent some people from participating in sports. It is with this goal in mind that Volley Boréal will launch its new Solidarity Program this year, with the official announcement scheduled to take place at its very first annual gala on June 7.
The principle is simple: provide partial or full financial support to cover registration fees for league activities for people facing economic or social constraints. To fund this program, the organization is reaching out to the community and partners through various initiatives: donations, scholarships, sponsorships, and fundraising events. Among these, the highly anticipated Bingos Boréal will make their return. The first one will be held on April 23 at Graine Brûlée, starting at 7 p.m.
A model of inclusive sports
With the arrival of a well-known sponsor, significant participation in the Gay Games, and the launch of an accessibility program, Volley Boréal confirms the direction it wants to take: that of an inclusive, community-oriented, and globally open sport. Through these initiatives, the league continues to pursue a clear goal: to provide a space where athletic performance coexists with respect, authenticity, and the enjoyment of playing together. More than twenty years after its creation, Volley Boréal proves that a sports club can be much more than just a training ground: a true community engine.
INFO | www.volley-boreal.net
