With the final set of match results now in from the weekend, we can now confirm our 2013/14 Southwest League Champions.

Well done to Plymouth Marjon who finished the season with a 100% record, eighteen wins from eighteen matches to pick up this seasons title and to Torexe Topcats who just edged out Exeter University and ABS for second place following their 3-0 win over Bristol on Saturday.

In the Men’s division, this years Southwest Champions are Kernow with Lydney Lynx in second and City of Bristol and Plymouth Marjon sharing third place.

Player of the Match Competition

Vicky Cooper picks up our first Ladies Player of the Match award after receiving nine nominations and Dave Tyack picks up the Men’s Player of the Match Award again with nine nominations, well done to everyone involved.

Presentations

All awards will be presented on Sunday the 18th May at the SW Championships in Plymouth.

The 2014 SWVA U16 Girls squad, coached by Paul Locke and Beth Hadley, took on some of the top teams in the region today in their final match practice session at this years Exeter Ladies Challenge.

The team finished third following a win over City of Bristol in the 3rd – 4th play off. The squad is off to represent the region at the Inter Regional Championships in London next weekend.

Full event results available at www.ExeterLadiesChallenge.com

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 and we hope that clubs and members will nominate those who they believe have put in their time and energy to assure the future development of volleyball.

Award Catagory:

• Doreen Dingle Administrator Award
• Bert Williams Referee Award
• SW Coach Award
• Commitment to SW Volleyball Award

Please see the attached for the full details and nomination form. Please note the closing date of May 20th – could I please encourage you to promote / publicise the awards wherever possible.

SWVA Volunteer Awards 2014 & nomination form

Ron Richards
rricha7122@aol.com

Rules and Format

We are not really in to advertising products but this is a solution that may come in useful. Originally highlighted to us early this year by Jo Turville with respect to sitting volleyball, I came across another use for it at Okehampton last week.

Product Description
1″ velcro net straps that provide additional tension to help secure the volleyball net to the standards. Includes 6 tension straps with buckle for secure fit.
Item Length: 8 Item Height: 6 Item Width: 6

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tandem-TSNETTENSIONSTR-Velcro-Tension-Straps/dp/B00600VLRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386337846&sr=8-1&keywords=velcro+tension+straps

Wessex Leaf Under 16 boys are the English Champions after a 3-0 win against Ernest Bevin, London on Sunday in Kettering.

The start of the Final was delayed which caused a few more nerves than usual.  A missed dig and serves into the net from the more experienced players was proof of that but Bevin errors showed they were also feeling the pressure.  The players soon settled down as Louis Stephenson led the way with some forceful hitting. He was joined on the front row by Ed VanWingerden and Dan Harwood who both tipped intelligently to push Wessex to a 5-2 lead.     Stuff blocking from Jones and Van Wingerden halted the Bevin attack and the lead went to 12-6.    With Van Wingerden, Jones and Mohit Kerai passing accurately, setter Allen was able to control the attack.  This led to aggressive hitting from Wessex which saw Bevin making block errors and the lead went to 18-13.   Wessex seemed comfortable but Bevin fought back to level at 19-19.   The Wessex Leaf supporters were doing all they could, making lots of noise to encourage the team to go ahead again. Wyatt came to the rescue with six penetrating float serves.  This, plus a combination middle play from Allen and Wingerden, saw Wessex Leaf take the set 25-20.

Wyatt continued his excellent serving in the 2nd set and with Allen following suit Wessex stormed into a 8-3 and then 16-5 lead.  This was dream stuff and Bevin were unable to stop the flow of points.   Jones, Van Wingerden and Stephenson were smashing winners home and the score raced to 21-6.  Allen set up Wyatt and Harwood on the wings to finish the set 25-8.  Unbelievable dominance !

The whole team were playing excellent volleyball and the third set followed in the same way.   A great backcourt recovery from Jones and then one by Allen helped Wessex to a 8-3 and then 16.5 lead.  Kerai was still controlling the pass which allowed Allen to vary the Wessex attack.  There seemed no Wessex weakness as they went 22-10 up and only three points from victory.   Bevin weren’t finished though and in an all or nothing attempt started to put in some tough serves.  Wessex had switched off and suddenly Bevin had won 6 points in a row.  A time out was called to tell the team to up the level and reassert their authority. Ben McKenzie recovered a Bevin smash as Wessex got to 24-17.   Stephenson showed no nerves on Championship point to put in a serve that Bevin couldn’t return.  25-17.

It was time to celebrate !

Coach Lynn Allen said   “The boys have come a long way over the past year.  They have worked really hard and gained more match experience which has paid off with some superb performances this season.  The boys have proved themselves the best team in the country and deserve to be National Champions.  There have been a lot of people, nearly all volunteers, involved in this success and all their help and support is greatly appreciated by the team and the Club. ”

Squad – Harry Jones, Tom Allen, Ed Van Wingerden, Louis Stephenson, Sam Wyatt, Dan Harwood, Ben McKenzie, Mohit Kerai, Tom Sear, Austin Pearce, Jack Williams, Alex Beveridge,

The South West Junior Beach Championships www.swjbt.co.uk needs your help, the provisional date is for Saturday 12^th July at Weston. However the SWVA Junior Beach Volleyball Officer Denise Austin does need your help. The event usually has between 6-8 courts, with approx. 40 teams taking part.

The format and competition preparation will be supported by Denise Austin but the on the day ground work and logistics, setting up, putting down and smooth running does need a competition directior.

Due to Denise taking the volunteer job for VE Head Beach Coach of the Junior national programme she will be busy on that day with her athletes in the VEBT which is taking place at the same time.

“Weston is a great central location and with the VEBT taking place at the same time, it’s a really good opportunity for our younger players to see the older senior tour players competing.

I will be on hand through out the day and will advise on any issue but do need support staff if we are to maintain the growing numbers of beach volleyball juniors playing in our region, if you feel that you could be of service please don’t hesitate to contact me, denise@beachvolleyballinc.com thanks very much in advance if you do!”

Kind Regards

Guernsey’s Premier Open Volleyball Tournament Weekend
Sat 25th/Sun 26th Oct 2014

Matches played all weekend at Guernsey’s only dedicated Leisure Centre. Finishing with a fantastic presentation party evening on the Sunday.

Participants: Teams from around the Bristish Ises including Reading Devils, Ashcombe, The Royal Navy and Jersey Island team to name a few competing against our top island teaams.

Open to Men’s, Ladies & Mixed teams with a capacity of thirty teams.

Officials: Top Volleyball England Staff referees

Latest info and updates: www.facebook.com/Guernsey-Volleyball-Open-Tournament
Check out our website: www.volleyballguernsey.com

Entry form for the Goldcoast Oceanfest King and Queen of the Beach

http://www.academyofbeachsports.org.uk/goldcoastoceanfest2014/registration

Any four of the top teams could have taken this year’s titles but the final ended up as an all Plymouth affair. Surviviors (playing in their extramly bright hazard orange colour strip) made their way to the final with a 24 – 18 win over the SW U16 Girls before taking the title with a win over Plymouth Marjon.

Plymouth Marjon made their way to the final with a 25-17 win against City of Bristol in the semi-final.

The third fourth play off match went to the SW U16 Girls this year, with City of Bristol in fourth and Torexe Topcats rounding out the top five positions.

MAY 2014

• 3-5th Inter Regional Championships – University of East London
• 17-18 May SW Championships – Plymouth Entry forms
  
• 17 th May SW Girls training – Burnham on Sea – 11:00 to 16:00
• 26th May-1st Jun FIVB ‘Beach Get Involved’ Seminar
• 31 May SWVA AGM
• 31 May UKCC Level 1 Coaching – Cardiff
• 31st May-1st Jun Wick Outdoor Volleyball Tournament Bristol wick2013

JUNE 2014

• 01 June UKCC Level 1 Coaching – Cardiff
• 6-8th June SportBeatFest – Gloucester sportbeatfest
  
• 7-8 June UKCC Level 1 Coaching – Cardiff
• 7-8 June Beach Student Cup – Croyde Beach_student_cup
• 14-15th Jun Perranporth Beach Tournament
• 14-15th Jun Skegness VEBT
• 21-22nd June CEV Continental Cup – Bournemouth
• 22nd June – Mixed 4 aside Funday Tournament – jurek.jankowski@gmail.com
  
• 23rd June Devon Schools Beach Championships
• 28-29th Jun Great Yarmouth VEBT

JULY 2014

• 4th July South West Schools Beach Championships Championships
• 5-6th July Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Festival Entry list
• 12-13 Exeter Coaver Volleyball Festival richm2003@hotmail.com
• 12-13th Jul Weston Super Mare VEBT

AUGUST 2014

• 2-3 Aug UKCC Level 2 Coaching – Cardiff
• 9-10 Aug UKCC Level 2 Coaching – Cardiff
• 9-10th Aug Salisbury Volleyball Tournament – tournament
• 16-17th Aug Weymouth VEBT
• 18-29th Aug FIVB Level II Coaching

SEPTEMBER

• 13-14th Sep Cardiff Open Tournament

OCTOBER

• 25/26th Oct 2014 Guernsey Open Tournament www.volleyballguernsey.com