A successful weekend of volleyball involving teams representing Horsham, Mt Gambier, Ballarat and Warrnambool could lead to the creation of a Regional League in the future.
Over 100 players are expected at St Brigid’s College stadium this weekend, incorporating men, women and junior teams.
Organiser Tim Popple, Regional Affiliates Development Officer (RADO), is looking forward to a busy weekend.
“The Regional League concept is one I have been working on since I started in the role 18 months ago. It was just a matter of finding a suitable starting point, and getting the Associations agreeing to participate.”
The potential to establish a Western Victoria Regional League is strong, especially with administrative support provided by the RADO.
“We know many of our volunteers are busily involved in their own Associations, so for me to offer the background support to a competition like this needs is appreciated by the Associations involved. It takes the pressure off those volunteers,” Popple said.
The concept is aimed at those players within each of the Associations who might not have the time to devote to playing state league or are wanting to take their game to the next level, above purely playing domestically.
“Volleyball Horsham as an example, have put together teams involving some of their strongest domestic players with a sprinkle of experienced players around them. The Association is looking at this concept to blood younger players as well into tournament play.”
The men’s side of the competition has four strong teams participating. Volleyball Horsham will benefit from the experience of Popple and Jack Hannan, while players like Tyler Snowden, Will Saligari and Tim Carter will be key players. Mt Gambier, Warrnambool and Ballarat will field good teams.
Volleyball Horsham’s women’s team will be led by the experienced Kara Johnson, and she will have youngsters in Cleo Baker and Laelah Robertson as her “go to” girls. The team will welcome back Kimberley Crabtree, while Kirah Smith and Hannah Whyte will benefit from the experience.
They will play a series of matches against Warrnambool who were the division two winners at last year’s Horsham tournament and will field a strong team headed by National Youth team member Gabby Lougheed.
There are four teams in the Junior division, with Volleyball Horsham represented by the HTLC Phantoms, who were runners up in the Junior division at last year’s Horsham tournament, and Murtoa who were the winners.
They will play against two Warrnambool junior teams over the weekend.
“We feel it is important to involve the juniors, as they don’t have many opportunities from an Association representative perspective throughout the year. Plus they are the future of each Association,” said Popple.
While Sunraysia and Bendigo aren’t represented this weekend, officials will be closely watching the outcome of the pilot to ensure they don’t miss out in the future.
“Both those Associations have good numbers across their senior and junior membership, so going forward I will be expecting them to get on board for sure,” said Popple.
Matches get underway at 11am on Saturday and 9am Sunday and a canteen will be in operation.
Meanwhile entries are flowing in nicely for the Summer Season of volleyball starting February 24. Teams or individuals interested in participating should contact info@volleyballhorsham.com.au with entries closing on February 19.
Volleyball Horsham teams:-
Men
Tim Popple
Jack Hannan
Aaron Evans
Tim Carter
Tyler Snowden
Shaun Bray
Will Saligari
James Davidson
Romnick Bermudez
Otto Maroske
Tyler Puls*
Women
Kara Johnson
Cleo Baker
Laelah Robertson
Delaney Wills
Kirah Smith
Hannah Whyte
Kimberley Crabtree
Emily Hannan
Juniors
Ellie Treloar
Noah Treloar
Logan Young
Hayden Young
Zeagan Young
Jieden Young
Murtoa
Archie Gawith
Grace Turner
Molly Fagan
Ellonia Barnett
Kianah Grace
Zara King
Noah Horvat
Rhys Hemley
Sebastian Maggs
Ella Van Duren
Milly Fagan
Clare Whyte