Teams preparing for country titles

Six competitive Volleyball Horsham teams are deep in preparations for the 2021 MIXX FM Victorian Country Volleyball Championships in Horsham over the June long weekend.

Thirty-four teams have entered the event, one less than 2019 and exactly the same number of teams that entered when Horsham last hosted the titles in 2017.

Volleyball Horsham coaches have had three selection trials to give as many members as possible an opportunity to participate, with numbers exceeding expectations.

Men’s division-two coach Tim Popple said coaches were pleasantly surprised by the turnout, especially from the men, with the creation of a fourth men’s team.

“We will be represented in each division for the men, which is a good sign for the future,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing a whole new generation of youngsters playing in their first country champs and hopefully it won’t be their last.”

Numbers were not as strong for the women, with enough interest to form two teams.

Championship commission members now have the tough task of sorting through the entries and allocating them to their right divisions.

With some associations entering multiple teams, the task is that more difficult to ensure a balanced and even competition.

Technical delegate, Geelong’s Rob Straube, said the division-one men would be very strong, with Horsham defending its 2019 title against Bendigo, Latrobe Valley, Sunraysia and Ballarat.

“Unfortunately, the women’s division one has only three entries – Bendigo, Horsham and Sunraysia, which is disappointing,” he said.

The championships are the pinnacle event for country volleyball, with more than 600 players, family and friends making Horsham their home for the long weekend.

Volleyball Horsham vice-president Vaughn Maroske said organisers knew of accommodation places that were already booked out.

“We are looking forward to the wider community benefitting from having so many visitors to Horsham,” he said.

“Between the visiting teams, their families and friends, as well as the number of volunteers Volleyball Horsham needs to administer the championships, the weekend promises to be very busy.”

Round matches start at 8am on the Saturday and conclude mid-afternoon on the Sunday.

Monday features all seven gold-medal matches at Horsham Basketball Stadium, with all bronze-medal matches at St Brigid’s stadium.

Men’s division three and four matches will be at Horsham College from 8am on the Saturday.