The Academy Of Mary Immaculate Volleyball Programme in 2000

This year saw the best achievement in participation and results at the Academy to date. The school has also promoted volleyball to be one of their two profile sports which has basically given Cress and I as coaches the right to enter the girls into any event we see fit.

The junior squad, of years 7 and 8, had between 20 and 26 players training all year. Cress Savige running her trainings on one court with kids and balls going in all directions brilliantly controlled this situation. The intermediate and senior squads were also full with some of the year 10 students completing their 4th year as members of the program.

On the court the results were as follows:

Southern Catholic Sports Association Championships - Div.2 (Metro) :

juniors 1st, inters 1st, seniors 1st (this has gained the school promotion to Div. 1 for the first time!)

All Catholic Schools (State) :

juniors 4th, seniors 3rd

Victorian Schools Cup (1 day event) :

U/14 one 4th, U/14 two 5th, U/15 4th, U/16 2nd, open 3rd

Junior State League :

seniors 6th

On a personal achievement level, congratulations to two year ten students - Theresa Falcone and Kate Burton for making the V.I.S. U/17 Squad.

Thanks must go to Tyrell Harding, the head of health and recreation at the Academy, whose commitment in elevating the volleyball program to where it is now has been astounding, and to Dean Penny and Fiona Tarquinio for their coaching support at the Victorian Schools Cup.