Full-time volleyball officer for city

The appointment of a dedicated volleyball development officer for the region is a major step forward for the sport.

Volleyball Victoria and Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly representatives are finalising details of the position, now with full-time funding.

The development officer will be based in Horsham, making it central to Western Region affiliates, which are investing in the position.

Sunraysia, Warrnambool, Horsham, Ballarat and Phantoms clubs have all committed to the position and the value it will bring to the respective entities.

With Volleyball Australia contributing through its participation funding and Volleyball Victoria matching it, together with the regional affiliates, a unique partnership has been formed, one that will be the blueprint going forward.

This is great news for the sport and one we have been working on over the past two years.

To see it this close to becoming reality is exciting for all involved, both directly with the position and the volleyball community in general.

We know how hard it is for the state body to commit time and resources into regional areas, and the investment into the development officer enables it to still have a presence in the region.

The main responsibilities of the development officer will include the establishment of ‘Spikezone’, volleyball’s equivalent of Auskick, and the hugely popular Sporting Schools Program, which will give more primary school children exposure to the sport.

I can’t wait to go to a Spikezone session in Horsham or Murtoa and see kids running around in their special Spikezone t-shirt with their special Spikezone volleyball. It’s going to be great.

To be able to have someone on the ground during school times is so much easier than having to have someone take time out of their work or take the pressure off students who might not be as confident coaching.

The development officer will also work closely with associations that are on board to help them build sustainability and strength in their boards of management to give them the skills they need to make the sport stronger.

It’s exciting and all involved are certainly looking forward to the future.

Groups or individuals interested in participating in volleyball in the Wimmera should email info@volleyballhorsham.com.au.