First played in 1900, volleyball officially made its international debut on the courts of Canadian YMCAs as the Ottawa YMCAs organized a competitive inter-city league in that year. From the capital, it was introduced in Toronto and Montreal before spreading across the country through the extensive network of YMCAs.
During the succeeding years, volleyball spread throughout the world, rising to international popularity during the years of the Second World War. The growing interest in the sport led to the organization of the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) in 1947. Since the time of the organization's founding, their activities have remained focused on managing international competition (including the World Championship) and guiding play (including developing rules and regulations).
With the introduction of the first international volleyball regulatory committee, many countries organized national athletic associations in affiliation with the FIVB. In line with these developments, the Canadian Volleyball Association, now Volleyball Canada, was founded in 1953. Later that same year, the first Canadian Championship was held.
Since that time, volleyball has continued to develop at the national level with the introduction of a women's team, men and women's beach volleyball program, and the highly successful paravolley teams (including both sitting and standing teams).
Volleyball has also grown within the provinces as leagues have been organized for universities, high schools, and independent competition.