McMaster incoming rookies, Shawn Bench (St. Catherines, ON) and Jeremy Groenveld (Welland, ON) have been selected to represent Volleyball Canada on the Junior National Team. A total of 12 athletes plus 2 alternates have been selected as Junior National Team athletes for this year.

Bench was a member of the Canadian Youth National Team, Ontario Provincial Team and Mountain Athletic Club. The 6'7″ middle player also captured an OFSAA gold medal in javelin in Grade 9.

Groenveld, also a former member of the Canadian Youth National Team, Ontario Provincial Team and Mountain Athletic Club, is the brother of McMaster middle blocker, Nathan Groenveld. The 6'6″ outsider player is considered as one of the top players in the country in his age group.

The purpose of the Junior National Team program is to identify, select and train a group of young athletes who have Senior National Team potential. The program offers them the opportunity to train and represent Canada in international competition at an earlier age. In 2006, the program's focus is to train young athletes to compete in their respective 2006 NORCECA Junior Continental Championships, in Monterrey, Mexico.

The Junior Men's National Team will train in Edmonton, Alberta until August 1, when they depart for the U.S. Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a series of exhibition matches with Team USA. Their NORCECA Continental Championships will take place August 6 – 14, also in Monterrey. The Junior Men will attempt to qualify for the 2007 Junior Men's World Championships, as they play in Pool B against Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

Visit the Volleyball Canada website for the full roster of players.