VANCOUVER – Matt Neaves' talent and continued growth at UBC has been recognized with a spot in Volleyball Canada's National Excellence Program (NEP) for men.
 
"Having some senior A team players there is really going to give me a sense of the mindset needed to be an Olympic level athlete," said Neaves, a student in the UBC Sauder School of Business. "With COVID, I'm one of the lucky people being given an opportunity that otherwise wouldn't have been there."
 
This year's program gets underway on September 2 in Gatineau, Que., and will run to December with the possibility of extension depending on several factors, including local health guidelines. Neaves will then re-join the Thunderbirds in the second semester.
 

"I'm really proud that Matt has developed into the calibre of athlete to be considered for this program," commented UBC head coach Mike Hawkins. "This fall's NEP program is designed to gather the top male volleyball athletes in the country to train together to better prepare them for the Paris 2024 Olympics. It is bittersweet to lose such a talented athlete from our training environment and such a quality individual, but our goal for Matt is to have him in a Team Canada uniform in Paris competing in the Olympics. I think this is a great opportunity for him to showcase his abilities against other top university athletes as well as some Senior A & B athletes in this NEP."
 
Just two years into his university career, Neaves has already earned his place among the best in U SPORTS men's volleyball. In his first season (2018-19), the 6-foot-9 right-side player from Calgary was named to the Canada West's All-Rookie team. 
 
This past season, he was a First-Team Canada West All-Star, and a Second-Team U SPORTS All-Canadian. Neaves was both productive and efficient offensively, finishing sixth in the Can West in kills per set (3.38) and hitting percentage (.304).
 

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??????Congratulations to 2nd Year Opposite Matthew Neaves who has been selected as a @usportsca Second Team All-Canadian. ? ? The Calgary, AB native finished the season hitting .304 while averaging 3.38 kills/set. Matt also was selected as a CanadaWest First Team All-Star. ? ? Congrats Neaves! ?? ? ? @ubctbirds @lululemon @lululemonyvr @lululemonmen @volleyballstuf? #ubc #thunderbirds #gobirdsgo #vancouver #volleyball #blue #gold

A post shared by UBC Men's Volleyball (@ubcmensvolleyball) on Mar 11, 2020 at 7:06pm PDT

"My two years at UBC has taught me self discipline, which is going to be a crucial factor of my success over the fall," remarked Neaves. "I've improved immensely at UBC mostly thanks to the coaching staff's undying belief in me, as well as my teammates pushing me every single day."
 
This year's NEP men's roster will also feature former T-Bird Fynn McCarthy.
 
- with files from Volleyball Canada