swva-newsletter – issue 308 – 2016-June

SW League entry form are now available for the coming 2016-17 season. The closing date for entries is July 12th. The draft fixtures will be out hopefully around 9th August, from which point there will be a two week ratification period. Once that period has completed, fixture dates cannot be changed, so please make sure that you have someone available to confirm court bookings and be available to coordinate with other teams during this period.

I would be very grateful if you would let me know if you decide not to enter a team this year (also by the closing date), so that I won’t be bothering you with follow-up emails.

Please remember that this year to maintain your Volleyball England Affiliation it is now compulsory for all clubs to have a Child Welfare Officer – please see further information on the entry form. Universities have to have a Child Welfare Officer in their Athletic Union, they don’t have to be within the volleyball club.

• SW League Entry 2016
• SWL-2016-17-Rules

Please feel free to pass this on to any other clubs in your region.
Cheers,
Rachel Rachel.Swindell@network100.co.uk

SW U14A & B Squads

After 68 matches played across Saturday and Sunday, North West and West Midlands girls came out victorious- the North West in the U16 and U14A competition, and the West Midlands in the U14B competition.

The South West Volleyball Association appreciates the importance of volunteers in our sport and the huge contribution they make. The Annual Awards go a little way to recognise their contribution, thank you to everyone who provided nominations for this years SW Annual Awards. The winners were:

• Doreen Dingle Award for administration – Dave Reece, presented by VE President Geoff Allan.

Awarded to an administrator who has, over a number of years, made a significant contribution of time and effort, provides high quality administration and who continuously displays an outstanding commitment.

• Bert Williams Referees Award – Matt Bell

Awarded, in memory of Bert Williams, to referees in recognition for their contribution and dedication to volleyball.

• Coaches Award – Steve Marshall

Awarded to coaches in recognition for their contribution and dedication to volleyball.

• Commitment to SW Volleyball – Paul Locke

An award for a volunteer who has made a significant contribution of time and effort and who continuously displays (or has displayed) an outstanding commitment to volleyball.

After 41 matches played across Sunday and Monday, London boys emerged victorious in both the U15 and U17 Competitions.  There was some incredible volleyball on display and all the Teams should be proud of their performances.

U15
It took the final game of the U15 boys group between East and London to determine the group winners, with East recording the decisive victory which saw them win the match 2:0 (25-18, 25-10) and top the group ahead of runners up London. South West finished the pool phase 3rd recording three victories along the way, with South East taking that all important 4th place to book themselves a place in the semi-finals.

Semi Finals
East v South East
East continued their good run of form from the pool phase and built up a commanding lead taking the first set 25-10. South East responded in the 2nd set but some strong hitting from the East seen them take the second set and the match 2:0 (25-10, 25-15) to book themselves a place in the final.

London v South West
London started off their semi-final match against South West in the right fashion taking some crucial early points which gave them a first set lead 25-15. South West picked up their game in the second set and made London work hard for their place in the final by gaining 3 points in a row whilst London were on set and match point, however it was London who managed to secure one final point to win the match 2:0 (25-15, 25-22) to book themselves a place in the final against East.

Final
The Final was a repeat of the close match between the East and London.  The East started fast taking the first set 25-16, but London bounced back winning the second set 25-20.  The final set was a tense affair that could have gone either way, but it was London who opened up a margin to win 15-13 and claim the title.

U15 MVPs: Ben Lucas (SE), Adam Ketley (EA) and Mithuran Prabhakaran (LO).

1. London
2. East
3. South West
4. South East
5. West Midlands
6. East Midlands

U17
Matches on Sunday were extremely close with three going the distance, and all three of them including the South East.  The East Midlands stunned the South East in the first match of the Competition.  The North East and West Midlands came into the competition with strong promise, and both lost out narrowly in their games on Sunday.  By Sunday night only London and the South West remained unbeaten.

On Monday, the West Midlands recorded their first victory of the competition in the final match, meaning that all teams had won matches at the event, demonstrating how close the competition was, and how on a different day things could have been different.  The South East carried on where they left off, preferring to play 3 set volleyball, which probably went against them as they tired as the day went on.  The North East played the most sets with 11 and were competitive throughout despite only winning 2 out of 4 of their games on the day.  The East Midlands found their form from the first match of the Competitions to see off the North East and secure 4th place.

It came down to the Final game to decide the top three.  With the South West having lost narrowly to London, and the East having lost to the South West, both the East and the South West required an East win in the Final Game.  London had gone into the game with an air of confidence, having not lost a set in the tournament.  In the first set London started strong, but the East were game for a fight and despite an early London lead, kept fighting until the end.  London however proved too strong in the first set as they took it 25-20.  In the second set, there was still all to play for, and the East started quickly, opening up a gap on their rivals, and looked comfortable as they past the mid-point in the set.  However, London were not going to lie down, they would fight all the way, in the true spirit of Champions.  They took a pulsating set 25-23, and with it the title.

U17 MVP: Theo Lucas (SE), Ed Van Wingerden (SW), and Javier Bello (LO).

1. London
2. South West
3. East
4. East Midlands
5. North East
6. South East
7. West Midlands

A special mention should go to the following for some notable performances across the two day’s play;

George Longmore (U17 SW)
Iraj Safaee (U15 SW)
Oliver Bunting (U15 EM)
Josh Green (U15 SE)
Christian Ioannou (U15 LO)
David Hodson (U15 WM)
Jack Arnold (U17 EM)
Daniel Sach (U17 EA)

A full set of results can be found here

Spot the ball competitions use to be a good fund raiser in the past, I notice that the Academe of Beach Sports have been holding a “Name the Diver” competition this week.

I believe someone got it right…

Following each Inter Regional Championships event, we ask a number of our representatives about their experience, today we focus on Fi Pugsley (SWVA no. 4), who was taking part for the first time.

On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May I was privileged to take part in the England inter-regional competition representing under 14 south west girls. The competition was held at the national volleyball centre in Kettering.

It was an impressive and large facility. It was a great pleasure to play with other girls from around the south west and I have developed really good friendships with them.

We played five matches in the pool and then we succeeded in getting through to the semi-finals on Sunday. The team fought hard with many clear servers and amazing three touch play. I think we were most proud of our performance in the match against North West who were the main competition. The referees and North West coach remarked upon how well we played.

Sadly we lost in the semi-finals against London but we took it to a close 3 sets.
Being involved in the competition has really helped me to improve my all round skills and how to cope under pressure. It’s prepared me to know what to expect from future competitions and I know I need to work on tactics.

Fi Pugsley