The Hill Adds Volleyball

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Caledon, ON – January 14, 2026 – The Hill Academy, Canada’s leader in education and sport development, is proud to announce the official launch of The Hill Academy Volleyball, expanding the school’s commitment to holistic student-athlete growth into one of North America's fastest-growing sports.

The Hill Academy Volleyball program will provide a high-performance training environment for high school-aged student-athletes, with a focus on long-term development, technical excellence, and academic balance. The program will be directed by Danielle Brisebois, a Hill Academy alumna, Canadian national team athlete, former UBC Thunderbirds standout, and U Sports Assistant Coach.

"Relaunching volleyball at The Hill is an incredible opportunity, especially for me as a former student‑athlete in the original program," said Danielle Brisebois, Director of Volleyball. "The Hill played a pivotal role in my own athletic development, and I’m truly excited to return and support the next generation of student‑athletes in achieving their goals."

Brisebois enjoyed a decorated university career with the UBC Thunderbirds, earning national championship MVP honours and later representing Canada on the international stage. After playing professionally in Finland, Hungary and Germany, Brisebois transitioned to coaching at Queen’s University (2021-23) and currently with Toronto Metropolitan University. Her experiences as both a high-performance athlete and a coach position her to build a volleyball pathway that supports student-athletes aspiring to U Sports, NCAA, and national team opportunities.

“We are so proud of the reputation we have built over the last twenty years based on using sport as a laboratory for life, and volleyball is a natural extension of that vision,” said Drazen Glisic, Director of Athlete Development. “This program will challenge athletes physically and mentally while reinforcing the values of discipline, resilience, and teamwork that define The Hill community.”

In its inaugural phase, The Hill Academy Volleyball program will focus on high school-aged student-athletes, building a strong development group that will evolve into varsity-level competition. Training will draw on The Hill’s established performance infrastructure, including on-campus performance facilities and integrated strength and conditioning support. The Hill Advantage offers the ability to get a world-class private education, elite-level strength and conditioning training and additional volleyball specific training to complement any club training, all in one school day.

In addition to directing the volleyball program, Brisebois will serve as an expert resource within The Hill’s Foundations of Sport program, which emphasizes multi-sport participation, physical literacy, and promotion of a lifelong love of sport. Her leadership will help further connect volleyball with the broader athletic experience at The Hill, reinforcing the belief that early positive sport experiences can shape confident, healthy, and engaged adults.

The Hill Academy Volleyball program will welcome student-athletes from a variety of club and school backgrounds, with an emphasis on individualized development plans and collaboration with families to support both academic and athletic goals. The program will prioritize small training groups, intentional culture-building, and clear progression pathways for student-athletes at different stages of their development.

Prospective student-athletes and families will have opportunities to learn more about The Hill Academy Volleyball program through upcoming information sessions, on-campus tours, and prospect identification events. Details about these opportunities will be shared on The Hill Academy’s website and social media channels. For more information or to book and admissions meeting, contact admissions@thehillacademy.com.

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About The Hill Academy

The Hill Academy was founded in 2006 in order to provide optimal academic and athletic programming for dedicated student-athletes. Located in Caledon, ON, just 45 minutes north of Toronto, The Hill campus sits on 134 acres of beautifully forested land. The campus offers students bright classrooms, daily outdoor education, a state-of-the-art athletic training experience, Hill Performance gym facilities, running and hiking trails, turf field, exclusive off-site rink access, and an expansive boarding complex. 

Graduates from The Hill have been placed in some of the most prestigious academic and athletic institutions in the world. The Hill Academy is an institution for students who are committed to striving academically, and who would like an opportunity to take an in-depth exploration into their respective sport. 

For more information, visit www.thehillacademy.com and follow on social media: Instagram @thehillacademy, X (Twitter) @thehillacademy, and Facebook @thehillacademy1845