Sports
Emma Boyd named to Volleyball Canada’s Next Gen program for second straight year
Story Links After a standout university career and a recently signed professional contract in France, Emma Boyd continues to add to her resume. The former Mount Royal Cougars captain has officially been named to Volleyball Canada’s Next Gen program for the second year in a row. Boyd was first selected to […]
After a standout university career and a recently signed professional contract in France, Emma Boyd continues to add to her resume. The former Mount Royal Cougars captain has officially been named to Volleyball Canada’s Next Gen program for the second year in a row.
Boyd was first selected to the national development program in 2024 and has now earned her place again in 2025 a reflection of her continued growth and potential at the international level. The Next Gen program, hosted at the Women’s National Training Centre in Richmond, B.C., runs from June 2 until mid-September 2025. It offers a full-time high-performance training environment and prepares athletes for the systems and expectations of the Senior National Team.
The Next Gen program is designed to develop future members of Canada’s senior national team, providing elite athletes with opportunities to train, compete, and represent the country in high-performance environments. The program also features international competition, including the U23 NORCECA Pan Am Cup (July 25 – August 2 in Mexico), the NORCECA Pan Am Cup (August 1 – 11 in Mexico), and the NORCECA Final Six (September 13 – 22 in Mexico).
Boyd’s invitation to the program comes just weeks after she signed her first professional contract with Volley-Ball Club de Chamalières, a team in France’s top women’s league, Ligue A Féminine. The opportunity to train with Canada’s top rising players while also beginning her professional career abroad is another significant step forward in what has been a breakout year for the middle blocker.
During her time at Mount Royal University from 2021 to 2025, Boyd developed into one of the Cougars’ most dominant and dependable players. Over four seasons, she racked up 736.5 points, 518 kills, 197 blocks, and 105 service aces, all while maintaining a .292 hitting percentage. In her final season, she was named a Canada West Second Team All-Star and served as team captain.
Boyd previously helped MRU capture silver medals at both the Canada West and U SPORTS championships in 2022–23, one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Now set to begin her pro career in France, Boyd will also continue to wear the maple leaf, training and competing with Canada’s best young talent, and keeping her sights set on one day playing for the senior national team.