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Holiday Programme Volleyball Otago are excited to host our first ever holiday programme during week 2 of the Term 3 school holidays. This is a three-day event where you will have the opportunity to learn skills and drills from experienced coaches. The sessions will also include some refereeing skills and on the final day, each grade will run a mini tournament that parents are welcome to attend. Please note that group sizes will be capped so after registrations close, you will be sent an email confirming your registration or if you have been placed on a waitlist. Those on the waitlist will be advised on Friday 4th October if a place has become available. Included in the cost of the programme is a Volleyball Otago T-Shirt that each participant will receive and get to keep. PROGRAMME DETAILS Date: Monday 7th - Wednesday 9th October. Time 9.00am to 3.00pm daily Location: Edgar Centre Cost: $150.00 (payment is required by Friday 4th October. Details for payment will be included in your confirmation email) Age Groups: Kiwi Volley - Years 4-6 Middle Volleyball - Years 7-8 Junior Volleyball - Years 9-10 Senior Volleyball - Years 11-13 If you haven't registered yet that's no problem! We are giving you until end of day today to register!  |
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School Competition Update The term 3/4 competition season kicked off for our seniors on Monday, September 16th. They’ve already completed their first two rounds in their five-week season! Please note that in Term 4, competition day will shift from Monday to Thursday. The early start to the competition for seniors allows for an earlier finish as they head off on study leave. Registrations are now closed for our middle and junior school teams, which will begin on the first week back in Term 4—Monday, October 14th for juniors and Friday, October 18th for middles. Since the junior games start on the first day back, be sure to check our website for the draw. If you’re new to volleyball or need a refresher on the rules and layout of our competition, please refer to the handbook linked below :) |
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Adult Winter League Results Volleyball Otago's adult winter league was an absolute blast this season! Each Tuesday from mid-June to the end of August, 11 teams across the men’s and women’s divisions came together for 10 weeks of fantastic volleyball. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and friendly competition, as players versed friends from their club, school, or old mates. Each week, participants had the chance to practice their skills, or have it be another opportunity to play some volleyball! On the last night of the season, we had some close finals which resulted in the following placings: Men's Grade:
Women's Grade:
VO wants to grow this league and have even more teams enter next year! We want to hear from you (whether you have played in the league or not) on what we could do to get you and some mates to join us next season! Congratulations to all the teams who played this season and we hope to see you next year! |
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Whistle Wisdom In our latest update, we’re focusing on an important part of the game—faults. A fault happens when a team breaks the rules, which affects how the game goes. Faults can occur from various actions that go against FIVB rules, like serving incorrectly or foot faults. According to Rule 6.1.2.1, if a team makes two or more faults in a row, only the first one is counted. This rule helps keep the game moving and makes sure teams aren’t punished multiple times for consecutive mistakes. When players from both teams commit faults at the same time, like both touching the net, it’s called a DOUBLE FAULT, as per Rule 6.1.2.2. In this situation, the rally is replayed. This rule ensures fairness, giving both teams a chance to compete again without a fault affecting the result. Understanding these rules is important for players and coaches. It’s not just about avoiding faults; it’s also about knowing when your opponent might make one. By staying informed and practising these principles, everyone can improve the overall level of play. Happy playing, and remember— get involved and keep the ball flying! -Kate C |
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Personal Bio: Anais Blanchard In the six years I’ve played volleyball, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with people across New Zealand, with Volleyball Otago being one of the most impactful experiences yet. My journey as a player began at Rangitoto College in 2019, where I initially joined social volleyball during my first year of high school. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. What started as a fun after-school activity quickly turned into three training sessions a week and early Saturday games. Being a part of the Rangitoto Premier Girls’ team, alongside amazing mates—including two of my best friends—created memories of placing 3rd and 1st at New Zealand Nationals and winning gold at the Australian Champs. While volleyball was central to my high school experience, I assumed moving to university would distance me from the sport. However, to my surprise, it grew my passion even more. After a rivalry throughout high school and playing together for IPC for three years, Amelia Brown and I took on the challenge of moving away from home and into a new community together. Reaching out to Baz and Andy before moving gave us a look into the supportive community we were about to join, but we did not expect the amazing friendships and level of play we’ve since encountered. What started as a few open gym sessions quickly turned into trialing and playing for the U19 A IPC team, the Otago Uni Women’s team, and the Vikings A team. Amelia and I were honored to be named Captain and Vice-Captain of the U19 Girls’ team, roles that both excited and challenged us. Coach Marnie and Manager Syreeta not only supported us during training but also in between, offering rides and advice as we transitioned from Auckland to Dunedin. There couldn’t have been a better coaching duo for our team, as reflected in our success in Wellington. The girls we had the privilege of playing with welcomed us with open arms and kindness. I believe I can speak for both Amelia and me when I say that our experiences on the women’s Varsity and Vikings teams have been equally positive. There is a strong sense of community here that makes Volleyball Otago a special group to be a part of. A particular highlight would have to be traveling to Christchurch for the Southern Zone tournaments. Among all the fun and great play, I’ve made connections that will last a lifetime! -Anais B |
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