Volleyball
28 May, 2024
Volleyball community ready to rally for Fletcher
All is set for another great day of volleyball on Sunday, as the volleyball community rallies for a cause in support of Fletcher Dandy and his family.
Entries have been rolling in, necessitating the need to split the day into junior and senior divisions, as volleyballers of all ages come together, where competition will make way for some serious fundraising.
The format for the day will be lightning spike rules, which has teams playing two ten minute halves games, with games being played every 25 minutes.
The juniors will kick the day off from 9am with six teams registered to play in what Volleyball Horsham vice president Matt McLoughlin says is a great sign.
“It’s great that the kids have recognized the importance of the day and are getting right behind it. They’ll have a ball and at the same time contribute to what we hope will be a day of great benefit to Fletcher and his family.”
For the families and friends of the junior teams who would like to come down and support the day there will be a muffin breakfast on offer, while a barbecue lunch will complement the senior component of the day and a canteen will run throughout the day.
“All proceeds from the barbecues and canteen will go towards the overall fundraising goal, as well, said McLoughlin.”
Senior team’s coordinator Laelah Robertson says the day is another opportunity for many of the country championship players to get some valuable court time, with less than two weeks before the championships.
“We saw on the Ararat versus Horsham Challenge Day that the more our teams took to the court the better they played, and while the results weren’t what some may have liked, the team play was getting better, which was the important thing.”
“While court time is invaluable the overarching theme for the day will be for everyone to enjoy themselves and try and raise as much money as possible for the Dandy Family.”
The day has received great support from non-volleyball members with donations of Tupperware, exercise classes, cleaning, slices, food, Phantoms and Volleyball Horsham merchandise, making for a great array of raffle prizes.
The Lightning Spike for Fletcher will be played at St Brigid’s College stadium on Sunday, commencing at 9am so whether you’re a volleyball enthusiast or not, the community is invited to attend a make a donation.
ARARAT V HORSHAM CHALLENGE
Ararat Volleyball took the honors on the Ararat versus Horsham Challenge Day held at the Ararat Fitness Centre with the Pink Panthers and Paradise girls fighting out the women’s division, while Horsham Red and Paradise went head to head in the men’s draw.
The day was thrown into turmoil upon arrival at the stadium when melting ice on the roof caused the courts to become unsafe, amidst a scene of players on their hands and knees mopping up the courts.
While this set back put the day behind slightly, the players put on a great show with many close games, especially on the women’s court with the Horsham Red and Navy girls playing an exciting 33-31 result, with a number of other games being decided in tie breakers.
At the end of the day Horsham Red took out the men’s final defeating Paradise 25-13, while the Pink Panthers were too strong for Paradise in the women’s final winning 25-15.
Overall the day was considered to be a success with more days like this, and Anzac Day previously, on the agenda for the two groups.