Sandy Beedham

2024 Honouree – Builder - Volleyball

Sandy Beedham has been an influential part of volleyball in Brant County for over 25 years. Her efforts in the Grand Erie District School board and at the club level have been a vital outlet for the region’s players.  

In 1998, Sandy’s grade 7/8 boys’ volleyball team at St. George-German Public School wanted to continue playing after their season finished. With no outlets in the Brant or Brantford area, and school teams ineligible to play in the OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association), she and her husband Rick founded the Brant Youth Volleyball Club. There were originally 10 boys, one team and a handful of coaches. In 25 years the club has grown to over 500 athletes.  

Sandy has played a role in every facet of the club, fostering an environment where older players are directly involved in development of the younger players. This has lead to valuable coaching experience and a cycle of alumni returning to the club. The Parent Child program – teaching fundamental movement skills at an early age – also has Sandy’s fingerprints all over it. 
The application for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant in 2015 led to the development of permanent beach volleyball courts at Green Lanes Sports Complex, allowing programs to flourish. 

Along with Ontario competitions, Sandy takes prides in the team’s ability to give young athletes international experiences around the world, primarily at the International Childrens’ Games, including Taipei, Athens, Bangkok, and Hawaii. 

Sandy was also actively involved at the high school level for over 20 years. She rejuvenated the North Park Collegiate team that had been dormant for 8 seasons and turned it into a regional powerhouse. Sandy’s teams are always a tough beat.
Sandy has been previously awarded the 2002 Recognition award, 2002 Development Coach of the Year award, 2013 Achievement award, 2019 Diane Woods Special Achievement award and the 2022 Brantford Sports Council George Jones Memorial Award for Lifetime Sport Volunteerism.