“Growing up in Canada, I didn’t choose volleyball. A friend introduced me to it, and I wanted to try it simply because I didn’t play any other sport. I gave it a try, and eventually, I fell in love with it.”
The story of Brendan Mills, a Canadian opposite hitter born in 2003, begins almost by chance. He stands 6’1″ (203 cm) tall and possesses a power that has already made a name for itself in Europe. Born in London, Ontario, Brendan built a solid college career with the McMaster Marauders before making the leap to the pros, playing for Roeselare in Belgium and Freiburg in Germany. Today, that journey has taken him where he’s always wanted to be: in the Italian Superleague and at the Kioene Arena.
What began as a teenage curiosity quickly became a full-blown passion, cultivated on the school courts since he was thirteen. “After college, I realized I wanted to play professionally, because the level is higher there and there are better opportunities to learn, improve, and see how far I can push my game. That’s what brought me to Europe.”
And if landing in the Old Continent was the first step, choosing Padua came without the slightest hesitation. “Signing here was a very easy decision. I’ve always dreamed of playing in Italy, in the top division. Padua is the perfect environment for me right now, and when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to seize it and take it as far as possible.”
Regarding the type of player fans will see on the pitch, Brendan is blunt. “I bring a powerful attack and a great jump, and I believe that in training and on every occasion, I’ll always be ready to continue learning, cheer on my teammates, and have a lot of fun. I’m really excited to get to know the team and start working.”
