Pines target fifth straight title
When Colin Redpath signed up to coach the Pines, he never expected to be standing in the position he’s in now.
Redpath, the New Zealand senior men’s coach, is aiming to led the ProVolleyball Pines to a record fifth straight Volleyball New Zealand club championships title at the ASB Sports Centre in Wellington next week. ‘‘It’s certainly the aim,’’ he said. ‘‘It was so hard to win that first title. You plan and you dream about it but it seemed out of your grasp.
‘‘But once we got that first one we almost worked out the winning formula and to keep on winning has been amazing and we’ve just won key points at the right time.’’
The Nelson club have been the kings of the court since 2012, sweeping all before them on the national stage during four years of complete domination.
But can they do what no team has done before and get that magic title No 5?
Redpath believes so, although he expects to face the toughest challenge yet as the target on their back has only gotten bigger over the years.
‘‘They’ll be going for us. We’re keen to win it though and that’s been the motivating factor for us this year. The boys have trained quite hard and we’ve talked about it and thought about it. No team has won five times in a row before.
‘‘We’re trying to make history and that’s quite different. In the past years we’ve won out of the fear of losing where this one is more of an opportunity and whatever happens, happens, but we’re looking forward to it.’’
Helping their cause is an experienced squad packed full of talent, including last year’s MVP Ben O’Dea, best setter Patrick Shone and best spiker Ben Glue.
Regulars Teryn Proracki, Thom King, Nic Turner, Harry Fergusson, Giles Black and Matt Wenn also back for another shot while the two newbies include New Zealand national team member John Gibbs and Australian Philip Freere, who has been playing professionally in Denmark.
Nelson’s biggest challenge will once again come from North Harbour, Playaz (Auckland) and Mauao (Bay of Plenty), while Pioneer (Christchurch) and Barbarians (Wellington) are capable of matching it with the big guns if they perform to their potential.
The Pines open the championships at noon on Tuesday against bottom seeds Capital Wolves Alpha.
Patrick Shone, Teryn Proracki, Ben Glue, Harry Fergusson, Giles Black, Nic Turner, Thom King, Ben O’Dea, John Gibbs, Matt Wenn, Philip Freere.