Local volleyballers put on an impressive performance at their first ever regional academy games.
The South West Sydney Academy of Sport volleyball squad finished with two gold medals and a second and fifth placing at the 2022 games held in Wagga Wagga.
Two senior boys, a junior boys and girls teams represented our local academy.
Coaches David Toomalatai, Francis Nanai Ah-Kin and manager Rod Hardwick were in charge of the teams.
The senior boys top team defeated Illawarra academy in the final to win the gold medal.
Not to be outdone, the junior boys side also defeated Illawarra in the final to win the gold medal.
South West Sydney junior girls volleyball team finished second after going down to the Illawarra side in the final.
The senior boys shadow team finished fifth in their competition, falling short of a finals berth in a thrilling showdown with the Hunter academy side.
“The boys played hard. There was a bit of friendly banter between the squads prior to the match, but as soon as the side walked onto the court, our side went about their business in a clinical display of sheer power and athleticism,” says academy sport program manager Daniel Currinckx about the gold medal effort from the senior boys.
“And while it was the on court action that showed how tight our teams had become in such a short space of time, it was the off court antics of the squad that brought a smile to the program coaches faces,’’ he said.
“The volleyball squad certainly made their presence felt on and off the court.
“In between games it was not hard to find the South West Squad, often playing pickup basketball games on the outdoor courts at the Riverina Anglican College, whilst blasting music from their speakers.”
Next stop for the volleyball squad will be trials for the Volleyball NSW Phoenix Pathway program and state teams selections.
For further information on the South West Sydney Academy of Sport or further details on the academy’s volleyball program, check out www.swsas.org.au or email sport@swsas.org.au.
