Open Gyms at Defensa Volleyball Club in Burlington

Volleyball athletes in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, and Mississauga can find their home away from home at Defensa Volleyball Club’s Open Gyms. These events, taking place in the summer, play a pivotal role in the development and growth of volleyball players in the community.

Open Gyms

Defensa is excited to announce its Open Gym schedule for 2026-2027.  Get in front of our coaches and become a member of one of our competitive teams.

Girls

Boys

* Requires previous rep experience.  No previous experience?  Consider trying out in our new Non-Rep Program. Girls in 11u-13u can apply directly with the Open Gym opportunities.

Tryouts for any remaining open positions will occur in September if there are any positions still open.  Information will be available on this website soon.

Non-Rep Program

Defensa is excited this year to offer a new Non-Rep Program. This program is designed for primarily athletes in Grade 8 and Grade 9 who have not previously played at the rep level. There will be opportunities as well for athletes above Grade 9.

Athletes younger, Grade 7 or younger, should consider applying for the appropriate 11u-13u Open Gyms.

The Non-Rep pathway is designed to create 2 developmental rep teams made up of athletes who are new to rep volleyball. During the season, these teams will train just like the other teams in our club. The purpose of this program is to provide a competitive starting point beyond house league volleyball.

Defensa Volleyball Club Training Session

Athletes registered will participate in:

  • Two Open Gyms
  • Followed by up to two invite-only tryouts

Registration link is primarily for athletes entering Grade 8 and Grade 9. Please note, athletes entering grade 10-12, there is a single night option to attend to be evaluated.

During these sessions, if the coaches feel the athlete is a stronger fit for rep-level, they will be encouraged to attend rep-level Open Gyms.

If you have any questions, please reach out to rob@defensa.ca

Girls 11U and 12U

Born 2015/2016 or earlier

May 25 2026

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

June 1 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

June 8 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 11 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 7/8)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Girls 13U

Born 2014

May 25 2026

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

June 1 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

June 8 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 11 2026

7:30pm – 9:00pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 7/8)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Girls 14U

Born 2013 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 21 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 7/8)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

May 27 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

June 2 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

(Invite Only)

June 8 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

(Invite Only)

The first two sessions may be split due to registration numbers in 14U. We will initially fill the 6:00–7:30 PM session first. If a significant waitlist develops, we will open an additional 7:30–9:00 PM session.

Girls 15U

Born 2012 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 22 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Alton Community Centre
Gym (1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

May 26 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Alton Community Centre
Gym (1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

June 2 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

(Invite Only)

June 8 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

(Invite Only)

Due to the extremely high level of interest in 15U, the first two Open Gyms will be run over two sessions across four courts.

  • Session 1 will run 6:00pm – 7:30pm
  • Session 2 will run 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Athletes participating in the first session may be asked to stay for the second session for additional evaluation.

Girls 16U

Born 2011 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 29 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

June 5 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

June 10 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 12 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1/2)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Due to the extremely high level of interest in 16U, the first two Open Gyms will be run over two sessions across four courts.

  • Session 1 will run 6:00pm – 7:30pm
  • Session 2 will run 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Athletes participating in the first session may be asked to stay for the second session for additional evaluation.

Girls 17U

Born 2010 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

Jun 3 2026

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

June 9 2026

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

June 12 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 3/4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

June 16 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 3/4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Girls 18U

Born 2009 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 20 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

May 26 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

June 2 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
Gym (3/4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

June 9 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
Gym (3/4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Boys 15U

Born 2012

May 25 2026

8:30pm – 10:00pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

June 1 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

June 8 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 12 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Boys 16U

Born 2011 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 25 2026

8:30pm – 10:00pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

June 1 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School

2333 Headon Forest Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

June 8 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 12 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Boys 17U

Born 2010 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 27 2026

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 7)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

June 3 2026

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Alton Village Public School
 

3290 Steeplechase Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0N7

June 8 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 12 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
Gym (1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Boys 18U

Born 2009 (Previous rep experience mandatory. No rep experience?)

May 26 2026

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

June 2 2026

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 3/4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

June 8 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

5150 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 0E5

(Invite Only)

June 12 2026

8:00pm – 9:30pm

Alton Community Centre
(Gym 1-4)

3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M 0M3

(Invite Only)

Here’s why these Open Gyms are indispensable for volleyball players

  • Volleyball Skill Enhancement

    Defensa Volleyball Club’s Open Gyms in Burlington provide an opportunity for players of all skill levels to refine their techniques and abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, the chance to practice serves, spikes, and blocks in a supportive environment is invaluable.

  • Game Experience

    Volleyball is a team sport, and there’s no substitute for real game experience. Open Gyms offer players the chance to practice their skills in actual game scenarios, helping them understand the nuances of team dynamics and strategy.

  • Fitness and Conditioning

    Staying in top physical shape is essential for any athlete. The Open Gyms at Defensa Volleyball Club allow players to maintain their fitness levels, helping them stay in peak condition for competitive play.

  • Social Interaction

    Beyond the physical benefits, Open Gyms foster a sense of community among volleyball enthusiasts. Players from diverse backgrounds and skill levels come together, forming bonds that extend beyond the court. These connections often lead to lasting friendships and a stronger sense of belonging within the sport.

  • Exposure to Coaching

    Defensa Volleyball Club’s Open Gyms frequently feature experienced coaches who offer guidance and feedback. This access to coaching expertise can be instrumental in a player’s development, helping them fine-tune their skills and reach their full potential.

  • Competition and Motivation

    Healthy competition is a powerful motivator. Open Gyms provide a platform for players to challenge themselves against others, setting personal goals and striving for improvement.

  • Pathway to Joining the Club

    For those interested in more serious volleyball endeavors, participating in Open Gyms can serve as a stepping stone to joining Defensa Volleyball Club’s official teams. Coaches often scout potential talent during these sessions, opening doors to higher-level play.

In conclusion, the Volleyball Open Gyms organized by Defensa Volleyball Club in Burlington are a vital hub for volleyball players. They offer a holistic experience that includes skill development, fitness, social connections, and pathways to more competitive play. These gatherings not only enhance individual player growth but also strengthen the vibrant volleyball community within Burlington, making them an indispensable part of the local sports scene.