Blair Bann: Libero and leader

Protagonist roles in volleyball are typically reserved for players who score a lot of points and get to impact the game at the net, but Blair Bann, Canada’s libero at the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League is an exception.

Part of his national team since 2011, the 33-year-old defender has established himself as a key member of the squad and his strong defensive and serve-receiving game has become an integral part of the team’s success in recent years.

Bann’s impact on his team is so significant that he is one of just a few Canadian players to have won international individual awards over the last few years. He was selected as the MVP of the 2020 Tokyo Volleyball Qualification tournament and as the best libero of the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League.

“This group has been together for a long time and it’s a special bond that we have,” Bann said about this role in the team. “Even if I don’t get to help the team scoring the points, I just try to be involved with communication and defensive actions. I just try to do my best and help the team as much as I can.”

One of Bann’s key roles with the team is on the leadership side of things. One of the most experienced members of the Canadian squad, he’s also one of the most vocal and outspoken figures on the court.

It’s impossible not to hear his voice between points, be it loudly celebrating a point or just encouraging and cheering up a teammate.

“I’ve always been vocal, but I think I just tried to improve that over the years knowing it’s a big part of the game and a big part of the team’s performance,” he explained. “I try to focus on it every time. Even when I’m not playing so well, I know I have got to be loud and I have got to be directing some traffic.”

In this edition of the VNL, Bann has another task on his to-do list. With Canada bringing a young libero to Rimini in 23-year-old Jordan Pereira, it’s up to him to mentor the newcomer and help to prepare him for the next stages of his career.

“He wasn’t on the court so much in this tournament, but being with the senior team for the first time and getting some experience with some big spikes and big serves has been important,” Bann added. “I think he’ll be the next libero for Canada.”