Sharks show promise with epic opening game!

The Sharks finally kicked off the 2015/16 season in the first week of October travelling to Brighton to face Brighton Freedom, one of the top teams in the league last year. Unlike last year were there was lots of scrambling to pull together six players, this year they went with a full complement of seven, ready and raring to go.

Lining up with Dominic & Eber through the middle, captain Tim setting, Mark opposite and Vlad and Kishan power hitting through the outside they started slowly in the first set. 13:17 down at the first time out they pulled it back to 23:23 on the back of quality serving from Mark & Vlad and won 27:25


Second set started with Jin in for Mark and was another slow start giving Freedom another head start 4:11 but again pulling back to 23:23 before losing 23:25. 


Third set was a better start with Mark back in, Eber connecting on a couple of quick sets and Vlad dumping behind the blocks. Sharks pulled out to 10:4 before the tables were turned as they got stuck on a couple of troublesome serve receives losing 20:25. 


Fourth set was with Jin again. This time serves were swapped backwards and forwards, but some great play including the longest rally of the match with great cover on both sides. Sharks pulled ahead in the final stages, Tim targeting the sidelines with his serves to win 25:20. 


Final set and again the Sharks were slow to start 6:1 down at the first time out. They pulled it back to 10:10 with Eber dominating the net but got stuck on a serve rotation again losing 11:15. 

Whatever the result, they managed to maintain a higher standard for longer and put together some great passages of play. Just need to be quicker out of the blocks.........

Another 5 setter for Demons - against Dolphins1 this time!

The fact of being an underdog changes people in ways that we often fail to appreciate. It opens doors and creates opportunities and enlightens and permits things that might otherwise have seemed unthinkable.

-Malcolm Gladwell

can we dig it? yes we can!

As you may now gather, it is an all too familiar site, the Demons playing a team who seem by default and record, much better on paper, but what we sometimes lack in winning, we gain momentum from, and deliver in true fighting spirit!

opening with a strong attacking 6, team talk and coaching had been focused on dominating the block, and winning on accuracy of serve. no doubt the training sessions had paid off, with an unquestionable high standard of defence in place. ( thanks Mark..) excellent coaching from Sandrine, and versatility from all the squad. several position changes meant options for tactical play could be tried out.

last season brought close matches between the Demons and the Dolphins, and this one was no exception.

matched for skill, and effort the demons took them to the fifth set, pulling back on several occasions to prove our worth, and narrowly missing out on the win.

the best is yet to come. bring it on!

MVP and bake off champion this week is Jojo who found and used the most awesome serve on the night!

p.s hope joey's knee gest better soon after her surgery; fantastic to have her supporting, along with the other Worthing players; cheers guys we appreciate your support!!!

and i will leave you with this..joke of the day;

The trouble with jogging is that by the time you realize you’re not in shape for it, it’s too far to walk back...

ttfn

debs

Titanic 5 setters between Demons and Pirates

first match of the season;

well here it was. the start of the new season, and pirates were looking pretty darn good in the warm up.

After some last minute coaching tips from Mark, and some cheeky comments from Mickey, I felt ready to coach the Demons, and get the match started!

With a fab debut from Aggi, and a sparkling return from mummy Dorothe, the team set out to play as the underdogs, and ready to take some whoop ass... but No, I say! we are winners, and if I am goddam well gonna look silly on the side of the court shouting like a crazed northern bird, then at least I want to do it triumphant in a first win of the season!!

and my girls, they only went and pulled it out the bag and smashed it!!!  Boom!  get in!

MVP and bake of winner of the week went to Rika!

an finally; joke of the day;

“I was playing chess with my friend, and he said, ‘Let’s make this more interesting.’  So we stopped playing chess.”

—Matt Kirshen

debs,

August update!

Ok - so I said the next monthly update would be September, but you are getting a bonus August email as well, you lucky things.  As always I've kept it short!

While the weather hasn't always been ideal, the hard-core beach regulars are still making the most of the sand courts on both a Tuesday (Worthing) and Wednesday (Sussex Volleyball Association).  If you haven't been yet then the 25th August is the day to try it - sun (hopefully), drinks, BBQ and an out of the hat competition….what more could you ask for. 

It was a fantastic turn out from Worthing at the SVA sand competition with Mexican Dream defending their title for the second time (a big thank you to Sandrine and Mark for "volunteering" and doing a great job organising it).  There has also been a strong presence at other tournaments with Damo, Paulina and Marco winning the triples, Worthing Baa Baa's winning Men's Div1 at Ashcome and a number of other teams/players from Worthing doing well!  There is already talk of entering teams into Bath and Sandbanks next year!

Fee's

A quick reminder - this is the last month at the old monthly instalment rate and from 1st September local league fee's go up to £15 per month as agreed at the AGM.  You will need to advise your bank of the change or amend it yourself via on-line or telephone banking (by 31st August).  Richard will be monitoring the September bank statement closely, please make this transition easy for him by setting this up promptly.  This fee covers hall hire for games and training, courses for officials and coaches, curry and awards at the AGM, sand court hire, affiliation with Volleyball England and SVA,  player registration with SVA as well as equipment (balls, posts and nets etc.).  This still represents great value for money compared to other clubs and sports. 

Fixtures and the New Season

The coaches will be getting together in early September to sort out the teams to try and balance squad numbers and introduce new players.  If you are playing this season and can't make training in the first week of training (I know some people will be on holiday), can you let me or your coach know.  This will help us get the numbers and balance of the teams right for the season.

The fixtures coordinator has happily ensured we double headers for all our games, but if we need to rearrange any games as single headers, another team will be assigned to officiate.  Please work with your team secretaries to ensure your team provides enough officials and remember we must provide first and second ref's, two scorers and a minimum of 2 lines managed every match. To help it be another successful season we need everyone to take their turn officiating, please don't leave it to the same people each time.  If you aren't confidant in a role then speak to me and I can arrange for someone to coach you.  If anyone is interested in going on the new format one day officiating course then let me know.

Speaking of officiating - a reminder that the new net rule is being applied this year i.e. any net touch is a fault not just the white band at the top.

Key dates

Beach Competition and BBQ - August 25th

All Standing orders for local league should be amended to £15 - 31st August

Local League indoor training starts - 1st September

Local League games start 13th September

Please keep an eye on our web site and Facebook page/group for additional information, match reports and pictures.  Don't be shy….get involved, send any photo's, match reports and news to Andy or Dan to go on the website or post to the Facebook group! 

If you aren't a member yet, then the SVA have their own private Facebook Group, which they are using to share more information.

http://www.worthingvolleyballclub.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/WorthingVolleyballClub?ref=ts&fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/131892616993064/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Cheers

Dan

Monthly Report From Dan

So we're already at the end of January and the league tables are starting to take shape.  Vipers are still challenging for the title, but have a lot of work to do to make up lost ground to both Brighton Jaguars and Crawley who have both only lost one game. Jets have continued their promising start to the season and with a couple more wins should guarantee div1 volleyball next year, rather than leaving it to the final game of the season like last year!   The Sharks have pushed most teams all the way with a lot of five setters, but haven't managed to win that crucial final set....yet!

The ladies played a few more games in the first half of the season and Angels are starting to gel, although they miss Em on court, they have still picked up some good wins and are getting their heads around the positions.  Demons with a number of new players and missing some experienced ones (Dorothee and Lorna) have a few games in jand and with a couple of wins could still match last years impressive position.  Devils are currently top, but still have to play Dolphins and Crawley away and EG1 at home, so lots of good volleyball to come!

National league the Ladies are traveling to Manchester today for the Quarter finals of the National Cup to play Salford a strong Super8 team and have some tough games in the League to play still including Bath and New Forest!  There is no training for the next couple of weeks, its back on 25th February at the High School (20:00 - 22:00).

Doubles and triples
Emma and Carl will be a little too pre-occupied to run the doubles and triples tournament on 2nd and 3rd May this year. Is there anyone keen to step up and give it a go? All profits go towards keeping the club membership fees at £10 per month. Speak to Andy, Em or me if you are interested ASAP!

Key dates
Tuesday 3rd March - no training, there will be a social instead (probably curry and maybe bowling look out for more details nearer the time) 

Tuesday 28th April - Free curry, AGM and awards (again details will be sent out nearer the time - save the date!)

If anyone has any ideas for awards this year (serious or comedy) then please let me know!

Saturday 16th May - SEVA Men’s

Sunday 17th May - SEVA  Ladies

Weekend round up

Sharks fought hard with two ladies helping out for the first time this season, but lost to a ever improving Brighton team. MVP Kish

Angels though notched up their first win (hopefully of many) 3-0, with both Tayna and Sylwia playing well. MVP Em

Devils also won 3-0 at home to EG2 who also are improving each time we play them, helped by having Elaine there to guide them and take control in the moments they got pulled out of shape. MVP Sintija

It's Christmas......well it's October and we are planing our festive socials!

For all Club members Local and National we are trying somewhere new for the Christmas meal Limings Mexican restaurant.  Our Social Secretary Amy is organising this for 2nd December and the booking needs to be confirmed ASAP so speak to her quickly if you want to come!

We can't get into the hall on 25th November so there will be no training but instead we will be going over to the Chilli Pickle for a curry and then Ice-Skating.  Let Dan know if you are interested in joining in part or all of the evening.

Christmas mini triples tournament will be run instead of training on 18th December followed by drinks at the North Star.  A Teamer will go out shortly so Andy can try and get even-ish teams (by coincident "Team Lay" won last year consisting of Andy, Matt and Katie!) please respond to the teamer or let Andy know if you can make it.

MVP's for September and October...

Here's the total MVP's leader board for Worthing.  As you can see everyone is still in with a chance of claiming the title of Most Valuable Player.

Beach Tournaments 2014

Ashcombe and South East VA Beach Tournaments 2014

At Worthing Sand Courts, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 2EJ

http://ashcombevolleyball.co.uk/wordpress/summer-beach-tournaments-entries-now-open/

Worthing Beach Bash
Saturday 24th May 2014

Ashcombe Beach Tournament  [1]  June
Saturday 21st June 2014

Ashcombe Beach Tournament [2] July
Sunday 13th July 2014

Ashcombe Beach Tournament [3] August
Saturday 9th August 2014

Freda

End of Season wrap up!

Now that the season has finished for all teams, here is a run down of our plans for the next month...

22 April - training as usual

29 April - Beach 6-8

6 May - AGM

13 May - Beach Volleyball 18:30 - 20:30 every Tuesday

A couple of quick notices

1) There has been a great response to the AGM with every team well represented, but if you haven't responded yet let me know ASAP if you are coming along and would like the free curry!

2) If you haven't received a teamer this morning for tomorrows training it's probably because Teamer has had a refresh and it has gone into your spam folder - please let your email client know that teamer isn't junk mail (no matter what your personal opinion may be!)

3) Can you teamer if you are joining in the tournament on the 13th May (it will be sent in just a minute!) as Andy has kindly volunteered to organise it and he needs to know numbers to sort out the teams.... will "Team Lay" be defending their Christmas title?

4) If you have left it late to enter the Doubles and Triples tournament at Southwick you need to get the money and form to Em on Tuesday - this is the final deadline!  Also we will be having a raffle to raise money for the club at the Doubles and Triples, if you have anything you would like to contribute that would be marvellous, please pass it to Me, Em or Andy.

5) Nearly forgot this one - if you haven't already heard from your team coach or secretary regarding the Sussex Cup on the 15th June you will soon!  Please respond quickly as we need to let the organisers know how many teams we will be entering!

Ok, this should be (fingers crossed) my last email for this season, so I just want to say a big thank you to all the coaches and secretaries for doing a great job organising your teams and fixtures it has made my job so much easier.  Also thanks to all the volunteers who stay and line, score and officiate and take all the stick for the "dubious decisions"!

AGM and key messages

As we are approaching the end of the season we are starting to make arrangements for the Club AGM, the details are below along with a few other bits and pieces... 

Annual General Meeting
We will be holding the Worthing Volleyball Club AGM on Tuesday 6th May.  It will follow the format of previous years and will be held in the Function room at John Selden Pub, Half Moon Lane, BN13 2HN. 19:30 - Meet in the bar for a drink.20:00 - There will be a choice of two free curries for all paid up members or an alternative for those that don't want a curry.20:30/21:00 - The AGM will be held were we report on this year and consider arrangements for the next year (League entries, subscriptions etc)The meeting will include various awards for the year, some serious and some just for fun. Then more drinking! To help ensure we order enough food and can start thinking about next year can you let me know1) Whether or not you will be attending the AGM2) Would you like the curry or an alternative3) Do you want to play in the indoor league next season (September 2014 - April 2015) 

Communications
This year we have tried communicating more through social media including Facebook and Twitter rather than sending out a constant stream of emails.  The blog has had regular match reports for the majority of teams as well as publishing all the key messages including that weeks fixtures and training details.  We have continued using teamer for arranging training and games (for those of you with smart phones there is a free app which simplifies responding further).  All of this has reduced the volume of emails. How have you found this? What have you found useful or enjoyed and is there anything you would like to see more or less of?  

Sunday 15th April
There is a single header game at the High School starting at 20:00 (Devils vs Brighton Teela) can anyone help out lining, scoring etc?  We will have social games between 18:00 and 20:00 a teamer will follow shortly. 

Beach League
We have been talking about starting a beach league at the Worthing Sand courts on aWednesday evening 18:30-20:30.  The format would be mixed teams of three. For this to take off it would require 7-12 teams can you let me know if you would be interested in taking part?  Cost would be around £2.5 - £3.5 per week per person depending on the number of entries.  This will be an open league with hopefully entries from all the local clubs, but as we are the biggest and most local I expect that the bulk of the teams would have a Worthing player in it! 

Club Kit
If anyone would like one of the Club hoodies can you let me know what size you want and if you would like your team and/or nickname/name on it those details too.  The hoodies are about £15 and there is a small additional cost for printing your name.

Competitions dates
Sussex Cup 15th June 
This is a one day tournament that is free to enter for teams registered with the Sussex League.  Teamers will go out nearer the time but save the date!

SEVA
For the top two teams in the Ladies and Men's 1 divisions.  Devils can you save the date and hopefully Vipers will be representing Sussex again this year.  Andy Crockett try not to book a holiday on the 31st May...Just saying!31st May Men1st June Ladies

Doubles and Triples
This is a fun competition run by the club which should hopefully help towards keeping the cost of our monthly fees down and give you an enjoyable day or two's volleyball.  Use the facebook group page or spread the word about if you are looking for a team mate!  If you need a hard copy form I have a few, so catch me at training.

Last week at the Beach

We will be moving training back indoors to Worthing High School from Tuesday 20th August, with the usual start time 18:00 for the girls and 19:30 for the fellas.

This means that 13th August will be our final beach session and we have decided to end the beach season with a mixed threes or fours competition and a BBQ.

Can you let me know if you want to join in the BBQ and/or the competition.  It be the usual format for the BBQ, minus our head chief as Andy is on holiday.  Amy will buy the food and drink and it normally comes to about £4-£5.

Worthing Doubles and Triples Tournament!!

Worthing VC will again be running the Doubles and Triples Tournament at Southwick on the weekend of Sat 4th and Sun 5th May.

Although Emma and Damian are the principal organisers they are looking for help to set up the courts on Fri 3rd and to give a little help with the running of the 2 days of action.

Ideally we want to see plenty of teams from Worthing entering the Doubles on Saturday and/or the Triples on Sunday. I played a few times in the past when younger and fitter ... it's really good fun for all standards of players. By entering and giving a bit of help you can help to make sure that the Club makes a profit (which will help to keep down the subs at a time of rapidly increasing costs).

Don't be shy! 
      Thanks Nigel

Jets win 3-0 and Vipers beat Horsham in a 3-2 Thriller

The Jets beat Dolphins 3-0 and a full match report will follow.

Vipers beat Horsham in a 3-2 thriller securing the final set 16-14. Looking forward to the match report from Mark, but just wanted to say thanks to the support which was awesome. There was a great atmosphere that really helped the Vipers get over the finishing line.

Match Arrangements

This Sunday 17 Feb we have 2 matches at WHS;

6 pm:    Jets v Dolphin 2   (Jets will be aiming to keep up the pressure at the top of Div 2)

8 pm: Vipers v Horsham 1 (This is one of Vipers' biggest matches of the season and should be highly competitive!) Why not come and support our teams?

On Monday 18 Feb, 8 pm  Sharks are away to Kings 2 at East Grinstead.

Unfortunately we are losing the use of the Sports Hall on Sun 3 Mar and from Tue 2 to Sun 14 Apr while the floor is refurbished. This requires the rearrangement of 6 matches!

On Tue 19 Feb we will attempt to get the Demons v Devils match played instead of the usual ladies' training. Could both teams please confirm that they can play on Tuesday?  Warm up 6.00 pm, match start 6.30 or whenever the teams can get going (preferably by 7 pm). 

I have also asked Eastbourne Ladies team if they could possibly play Demons at WHS on Fri 22 Feb. Start time would be about 7.30 pm.

Please keep checking your e-mails as things are rather fluid at the moment! Your help and understanding is very much required.

Thanks

Nigel

Happy New Year - News Update

Hi,

Happy New Year to all and please see a quick News Update as follows:-

• Devils beat Ashcombe Durrington last Sunday with an easy 3-0 win. Happy to publish a match report if I get one!
• Demons fought back from 2-0 down against Kings to level the match only to lose the last set and the match 3-2, but was great to see their fighting spirit is still very much alive.
• Vipers lost a very close match to a much improved Eastbourne team before Christmas which opens up Div 1 again. Horsham recently beat Adur so it is all still to play for, but with no room for any more slip ups! Vipers play Kings away next Monday the 14th.
• Sharks play Dolphins tonight (Wednesday the 9th of Jan) so good luck and hope you have enough players to secure another win.
• Jets have a crucial match against Hastings away on Sunday the 13th. Hastings have only dropped one match so far this season so this could go a long way to decide the winners of Mens Div 2.
• Devils play Adur Adora at Lancing Manor Sunday the 13th.

Please let me have any match reports and if anyone received a new camera for Christmas, then why not use it at a match and send me some more photo's to post on the site!

Enjoy the second half of the season.
              Cheers Andy

Referees Course

As the last referees course was oversubscribed there is to be another on the weekend of 26/27 January at Ashcombe, Dorking.

We could do with more qualified referees in the Club. If anyone is interested please let Nigel Or Paul know as soon as possible. Best way is to respond to Nigel's email or speak to him or Paul at training.

Please can we remind each team that you must provide enough players to officiate at others double header fixtures. Ideally you must provide 1st and 2nd ref's, two people to score and two line judges. Please can we start to get more people trained to use the score sheets which really are not as hard as they look to get filled in correctly. It is each teams responsibility to ensure you provide enough officials and ensure they either arrive before your match or stay after you have played.

Thanks "the Management"........

Hi and Welcome...

...to the all new Worthing Volleyball Club Blog!

The old Website is looking tired and with no volunteers to maintain it I thought I would see if "blogging" was easier to do!
So far no special skills have been required and now all I need is your thoughts and input on what you want to see?
I have set up basic pages for the Vipers and Jets and will do the same for our other teams once you send me your photos and info you want included?
It would be great to have match reports on the site plus any other entries on how things are going with each team? It should be easy for individuals to add to the site and I can share passwords etc to representatives from each team as required.
Also, it is easy for anyone to leave responses to blog posts by clicking on the "no comments / 913 comments" at the bottom of each post.
Alternatively if I get no response and it appears that nobody uses the site then I will stop wasting my time. Please let me know what you think?
Cheers Andy