COFFS Harbour Volleyball Association recently held one of its biggest annual tournaments over the Easter long weekend.

Coffs Harbour volleyball players took part in the Easter Midway tournament over two big days on the courts at Sportz Central.

Coffs Harbour senior and junior teams took on visiting teams from Armidale, Casino and Sydney, and showed they were worthy adversaries on their home court.

Coffs Harbour teams won the second division men’s title and finished runners-up in three of the divisions in a great tournament for the host club.

A new addition was added to this year’s Easter Midway, as juniors took part for the first time.

Coffs Harbour Volleyball Association president Craig Little told News Of The Area that adding a juniors competition gave his young players valuable experience against more seasoned teams.

“The teams they were playing against were quite experienced, and for many of our players it was their first tournament,” he said.

“Both our teams took sets off the teams that won.”

Little said his juniors would soon be entering another big tournament.

“We need to have something to aim for, so we’re taking juniors to more tournaments and down to Newcastle in early May,” he said.

“Just to give them the exposure and to play against good opposition, as that’s the only way they will get better.”

The passionate president said his focus was on developing Coffs Harbour’s burgeoning junior talent.

“We’re looking at getting the regional program up and running and transition juniors into playing for state teams,” he said.

“We’ve had a real resurgence since COVID-19 as we’ve had 80-85 juniors training.”

The Coffs Harbour Volleyball Association hosts its season each Thursday night at Sportz Central.

Midway results:

Div 1 Men’s: Baulkham Hills Bolts 2 def.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Coffs) 0

Div 2 Men’s: Upsetters 2(Coffs) 2 def. UNE Green(Armidale) 0

Women’s: Baulkham Hills Bugs 2 def. Estrogen Express (Coffs) 1

Junior Boys: Baulkham Hills Rams 2 def. Monkee (Coffs) 0

Junior Girls: Baulkham Hills Stingers 2 def. Baulkham Hills Fireflies 0

Notable Most Valuable Player Awards

Men’s Div 1: Lachie Alexander

Junior Boys: Sean Milaudi

Women’s: Tiff Jones and Hanny Rodriguez Varela.

 

By Aiden BURGESS