Volleyball
10 December, 2024
Exciting times ahead for Volleyball Horsham
A strong finish to the year has set Volleyball Horsham up for a positive 2025 with plenty of opportunities being planned for players and members alike.
In a year where Volleyball Horsham recorded the second biggest registrations among regional affiliates, medal winning performances at Junior and Senior country champs, Horsham Tournament and Volleyball Victoria Junior Open, 2025 can’t come quickly enough for some.
Emerging young gun Oscar Jackman can’t wait for volleyball to start again after a successful year where he continued his improvement.
“There are three things I’m looking forward to the most and that is how the A grade teams will stack up next year, increasing my opportunities with Phantoms in state league and breaking into the Horsham men’s division one team at the country champs.”
“The A grade will see some definite changes with some boys moving onto university and some younger ones stepping up, so that will be interesting.”
“I got a taste of state league volleyball this year and really enjoyed it, so will be looking to get increased opportunities with Phantoms and becoming a starter in a team, knowing full well that the competition for places will only get stronger, following a successful year for the men’s teams this year.”
“Playing in the men’s division one team at the country champs will be my biggest goal, as their bronze medal win this year was huge for the team and the association.”
Fellow emerging young star Sophie Quick enjoyed a successful year captaining the under 19 girls to a gold medal at the junior country champs, playing with the senior women’s team in their gold medal win at the Horsham tournament, and silver medal at the country champs, leading her team to a bronze medal at the Volleyball Victoria Junior Open and playing A grade for the first time.
“I really enjoyed my volleyball this year so much so that I’m really excited to try out for Phantoms next year, because I feel that is the next step for me.”
“The exposure I received playing in A grade set me up really well for all of my opportunities, as the game is faster and harder, and we girls don’t take a backward step when the boys hit the ball at us.”
“I’m also excited for the evolution of the women’s A grade competition as it has grown in standard as each season has gone by, and with the emergence of the younger girls who won a silver medal at the VVJO, I’m keen to see them step into the women’s A grade competition and continue their development.”
“They will certainly make it harder for us older girls.”
Both Jackman and Quick are emerging stars on the Volleyball Horsham scene, with their timing opportune, as senior teams start to integrate younger players into their teams, as older players move on.
Volleyball Horsham vice president Matt McLoughlin is looking forward to seeing how his HTLC program will evolve in 2025.
“The Lutheran school teams experienced some wonderful success this year with teams in years 6,7 and 8 make SSV state finals, so I’m keen to see how they develop next year as they become more experienced.”
“I know the year seven boys were keen to get things in tow for next year as they think about formulating their team and playing in the Volleyball Horsham domestic competition to gain valuable experience.”
McLoughlin said the growth in the sport over the past two years has been nothing short of amazing right across the board.
“We’ve had great numbers in our juniors, but just as much in both our women’s grades and we’ve been fortunate to hold onto a lot of players in that 18-22 age bracket which helps to strengthen our top-end competitions.”
“Hopefully the success we’ve had over the course of this year will help inspire others to get on board, as we have a grade of competition that suits all levels of participation.”
“I know we as a committee are excited for what the future holds, and we will continue to work hard to create opportunities for all of our members no matter whether they are juniors, seniors or just participants who enjoy their weekly fix of volleyball.”
