Tania Green sees her share of Whakatane’s troubled teens.

The physical education relief teacher also sees their potential being unlocked, through a net, a court and a stitched ball.

Vast chunks of her spare time are spent coaching the town’s children and teens in volleyball.

She then helps them fundraise, enabling even those with the least means to travel to regional and national tournaments.

Read more with The NZ Herald

Report from Sport Wellingotn Region

At a Wellington City Council meeting today ( Friday 27th June, 2008 ) the council confirmed last years decision to support a 12 court Indoor Community Sports Centre at Cobham Park by 13 votes to 1.
It was with considerable concern and huge disappointment that the Wellington City sporting community greeted the news last week that some members of Council wished to re-open debate around the 12 court Indoor Community Sports Centre at Cobham Park.
To use a sporting analogy, this potential flip flop was most unwelcome.
The sporting community has been working collaboratively with the Council since late 1999 to bring this project to fruition.
Ross Graham, Chairman of Sport Wellington Region, said at the council meeting “As one of those involved in developing the concept from the beginning, I want to make it very clear that 12 courts is a bare minimum. Original scoping studies funded by the Council early this decade planned for 18 courts. Twelve was eventually agreed, in acknowledgement of the funding issues associated with 18 courts. Numerous potential sites were considered over the years, including the Waterfront. The Waterfront option was rejected on the basis of being able to cater for only eight courts, as well as costs associated with the land purchase and construction. It is not a viable option.”
Work towards the resource consent process will now continue with construction likely to start later this year.

Media Release: Volleyball New Zealand

Volleyball New Zealand announces the following New Zealand Men’s team ( 23.6.08 ) to play a four match series against the Australian Institute of Sport Development Squad in Canberra from 14-19 August 2008.

NZ MEN’S TEAM:

Non Travelling Reserves

Management

   
Coach Tony Barnett is delighted with the turn out of over 120 athletes throughout the country participating in trials over the last 2 months and has picked a team with a good mix of talented younger players and experienced older players.

The Dominion Post reported a story on the 17th of June about the possible delays to the 12-court sports centre planned for Cobham Park which is championed by Wellington Mayor Kerry Predergast.

There is a meeting on the morning of Friday 27 June (9:15am) at the Old Town Hall. The Council will be revisiting the planning of Kilbirnie’s Cobham Park Sport Centre. Councillor Andy Foster opposes the idea of such a sports venue, sighting that it’s a costly venture. Foster was reported as saying to the Dominion Post, “We could build an eight-court stadium, or something smaller, on the waterfront which would be affordable.”
Mike Freeman, an executive member of the Wellington Basketball Association writes an email proposing for all sport followers to show support of the 12-court stadium instead of a Water Front option with less courts. He proposes in his email, people should show their support by emailing Wellington’s Mayor Kerry Predergast on kerry.prendergast@wcc.govt.nz There is a huge threat for a Sports Centre development in Wellington being delayed by many more years beyond the proposed completion of Cobham Park in 2010. This subject has a large bearing for Volleyball as a sport, as many opportunities for various Volleyball tournaments such as the Wellington League, College Regionals, Junior College North Island, Senior College Nationals, Central Zone & Club Nationals could be held at the Cobham Park venue with affordable and accommodating space with the many courts that it provides.

You can read the story with the Dominion Post by clicking here.

And click below to read Wellington Basketball Committee Member Mike Freeman’s email.

Hi all

Yesterday a crisis emerged in the process for the new stadium at Cobham Park. I have been advised by Sport Wellington and friendly councillors that the mayor needs as many emails as we can muster today to ensure the project goes ahead.
As part of the Council’s Annual Plan process Councillor Andy Foster has endeavoured, through the Councils Strategy and Policy Committee, to revisit the decision on CobhamPark and questioned the need for 12 courts. He is pushing to revisit the ’sites analysis’ with the idea of 8 courts at the Port (if the land can be obtained) and possibly covering some courts at Hataitai (amongst other possibilities). This would put everything on hold for a while, probably years. It has taken nearly 10 years to get to where it is now.
Twelve courts is the minimum we have agreed to with the planners any less would not be enough for us, netball and volleyball. Actually the cost at Cobham Park is $46 million compared to $80 million at the waterfront.
The Mayor needed to use a casting vote to defeat Andy Foster’s motion yesterday after a debate (which took approximately 3 hours) took place. The motion will go to the final Annual Plan full Council meeting next Friday 27 June at 9:15am. She is feeling uncomfortable with pushing the vote through on her casting vote and needs to see that she has the full support of the sports community!

ACTION
1. We need your support to be emailed to the Mayor today “You continue to support an Indoor Community Sports Centre at Cobham Park.”
The Mayor’s email address is kerry.prendergast@wcc.govt.nz
The key arguments to include can be taken from this list:

• Our existing stadium has only two courts and we cannot cope with all the players and teams who want to play now. People of all ages are missing out on basketball and healthy exercise now. This will get worse if there are further delays.
• Our floor has worn out, we are nursing it through until 2010 as it is. It will need replacing at a cost of $300-$500K. We don’t have that money and would likely have to close the stadium.
• The 12 courts at Cobham Park will quickly be in full demand by all sports. Any less will be insufficient. That site is the only one which allows for future expansion.
• We have waited for ten years and there has been extensive planning and consultation. Why do it all over again.
• Cobham Park is the best site for easy access for families and there is plenty of free parking planned. Parking at the port would be expensive and restrictive. There are good bus services to Kilbirnie where Cobham Park is.

2. Please attend the meeting on Friday 27 June at 9:15am. Big numbers in the gallery will indicate to Councillors the support for site at Cobham Park.

This is very very important. Please do this today.

Regards

Mike Freeman
WBA Executive Committee Member.

Originally posted Friday, May 23, 2008

Nominations are invited for the NZ Women’s Volleyball squad 2008/2009.

After a very successful tour to the Asian Championships held in September 2007 the NZ Women’s Squad is currently preparing for the 2008 season.

The schedule for the team is currently being finalised but is likely to include the following:

Date: 31 May 1/2 June – Queens Birthday Tournament
Activity: Training Camp – for South Island players and those playing in the Canterbury Queens Birthday Tournament.
Venue: Pioneer Stadium, Monday 2 June. 9.00am – 1.00pm

Day 1: Saturday 28th June
Venue: Bethlehem College
Time: 11.00am – 5.00pm with one hour lunch break at 2.00pm
Activity: Training Camp – For North Island based players.

The Secondary Schools Trans-Tasman Volleyball Competition has been contested and completed in Nelson. The final result saw Queensland girls beating the North Island girls 3-2 ( 23-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 ). In the boys competition Queensland defeated defending champs North Island 3-0 ( 25-21, 25-21, 27-29 ). The Trans-Tasman competition involved teams from the North Island, South Island, Queensland and New South Wales. At the conclusion of the Trans-Tasman competition, test teams were selected to create a match of Australia vs New Zealand.

 
Queensland prospered although New Zealand shared the international spoils when the Trans-Tasman secondary schools volleyball series ended on Thursday at Nelson’s Trafalgar Centre.

Queensland walked away from the four-day tournament with both the boys and girls’ titles. But Australia missed the sweep when the New Zealand girls won their test in a five-set thriller, leaving the Australian boys’ team to wrap up the series with a 3-2 win over New Zealand.

More with the The Nelson Mail.

All countries are now locked-in, women’s and now men are all ready for medals honors at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing.
Japan’s men, took on a topsy-turvey Argentinean team to a 5 setter thriller. That match was their 2nd-to-last of seven matches played in the World Olympic Qualifier which also doubled as the Asian Olympic Qualifier. With that victory over Argentina, they secrured their spot in Beijing. 

Japan, ended the tournament with 6 wins and a loss to 10th in the world Italy, who are punching way above their 10th placed ranking. Italy also booked themselves with the best seats in the house by winning the the whole tournament without defeat, only Argentina & Japan managed to push them to a 5 set match.
Japan have made strong in-roads with their brand of volleyball, playing much more powerful & taller opponents, but are managing to seal the business deal in the end where is matters with great defence.

To read more about Japan’s historic return to Olympic Volleyball click here.

To see all the teams qualified for the 2008 Olympic’s click here.

Also story of Italy winning a place at the 2008 Olympics, click here.

The New Zealand Volleyball Website is reporting on the Men’s Indoor Volleyball Programme. Mentioning that its continuing to evolve under the direction of new New Zealand Men’s Coach, Tony Barnett.
The first of a series of regional tournaments was held in Christchurch as part of a training camp and trial matches to promote and development the Men’s National Programme.
Notable things to look out for was the announcement of NZ Men’s Team on Monday 23rd June (Fri 27 June – confirmation by players of availability). They will compete in the Oceania Tournament in July, Tonga.

To read more with VNZ about the evolution of the Men’s Volleyball Programme click here.

2nd Central Zone Result’s for Men’s Competition
Palmerston North 24 – 25 May, 2008.

2nd Central Zone Result – Finals
Palmerston North 24 – 25 May, 2008.

* Table below has 1st Round in black text and 2nd Round in a different colour.

Semi 1 – NZIS vs Rongotai ( 25-14, 25-16, 25-14 ) Winner NZIS

Semi 2 - Hawkz vs Massey ( 7-25, 14-25, 15-25 ) Winner Massey

FINAL
NZIS vs Massey ( 3-0 )
( 34-32, 25-21, 25-15 ) Winner NZIS

Play Off 3rd/4th
Rongotai vs Hawkz ( 3-2 )
( 25-15, 16-25, 22-25, 25-18, 18-16 ) Winner Rongotai

Play Off 5th/6th
Eagles vs Measina Spikers ( 3-2 )
( 27-25, 22-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8 ) Winner Eagles

Play Off 7th/8th
Linton VC vs Western Suburbs ( 2-3 )
( 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 25-18, 8-15 ) Winner Western Suburbs

 Play Off 9th/10th
Massey B vs Wainui Rapids ( 3-1 )
( 25-21, 17-25, 27-25, 25-20 ) Winner Massey B

Pool Play
Pool A – NZIS – Eagles – Hawkz - Linton VC - Massey B
Pool B – Massey A - Rongotai – Western Suburbs – Wainui Rapids – Measina Spikers