About Us
Bridging the gap between youth volleyball and the collegiate level with mentorship from active Team Canada athletes.
Our Mission & Vision
WE ARE NOT A CLUB.
Welcome to The Northern Elite Academy. We are a high performance academy where elite athletes from around the Greater Toronto Area can train and compete with each other without fear of club conflicts.
Bridging The Gap
The Northern Elite was created as a support system for ambitious youth athletes looking to compete at the next level. Our goal is to bridge the gap between youth volleyball and collegiate programs. Our unique relationships with NCAA & U-Sport Programs have helped many athletes in their recruiting journeys.
Team Canada Mentorship
Our program offers coaching & mentorship like no other program in Canada. We hand select our coaching staff from the elite athletes representing Canada on the international stage. Who better to help coach these changes than athletes who implement them in their own game.
Philosophy
Environment Where Athletes Are SAFE TO FAIL.
We believe in learned behavior. Our program teaches & then demands high performance behaviors. We encourage our athletes to embrace the discomfort that comes with learning.
Skill-Based Grouping
Our programs are not categorized by age. Athletes are grouped based on their skill level. Not only does this cultivate a competitive environment but it also welcomes new friendships and connections for our youth athletes.
Collegiate Structure
Our programs are structured with top collegiate programs in mind. Our primary focus is on-court skill development/tactics with a sub-focus on strength & conditioning, mental performance, and recruiting.
Life At The Northern Elite
About Founder Sophie Bukovec
Founder & Head Coach Sophie Bukovec has competed in ALL possible volleyball avenues in North America. She is an Olympian, Ontario University Athletics Champion, First-Team All star, Final Four MVP, BIG West Indoor conference champion, PAC-12 beach volleyball champion, 2x All-American and 3x National champion.
“In-between collegiate seasons, finding a program in Toronto that understood the expectations and mentality of professional athletics was difficult”
— Sophie Bukovec
The Northern Elite provides the opportunity for youth athletes to better their skill, learn new strategies, COMPETE, & engage in advanced resources so they are able to walk into their first year of college/university with confident capabilities!
Achievements & Milestones
WANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
Contact us for more information, or to answer any questions you may have about our academy. We look forward to hearing from you. Together we can continue to grow the game in Canada!