Melbourne University Tiger at the Australian University Games 2001
The plane touched down on a tarmac lit by sun and surrounded by sea. Onboard were Melbourne University's answer to the annual call of University Games. Sydney had turned on a beautiful day to mark the arrival of Melbourne Uni's atheltes. Many volleyballers however were not so pleased to see the brightness of the sun, as it happened to be Sunday the 23rd of September, the day after the celebrations of the state league grand finals. Many faces showed the effects of the heavy celebrations the night before. Yet, as the bus pulled in to the hotel on the corner of Pitt and Liverpool Street in the middle of Sydney, their bleary eyes brightened. 400 university students in a 4 and a 1/2 star hotel in mid-town Sydney, something didn't add up, but no one was complaining.
The Games opening ceremony took place on the lawns of the University of Sydney, the antique buildings a sobering experience for some. But not for us. After two slabs of good old Carlton brewed VB, the opening ceremony was seen to be a well crafted entertainment extravaganza. The volleyballers filled the shoes of the absent soccer boys, chanting loudly whilst looked upon with collective bemusement from other athletes. Stephen Roux led a reconaissance mission into the heart of the Monash camp, to steal the ridiculous looking cat mascot held aloft by a ridiculous looking Monash athlete. Emma Hiller went deep undercover amongst the group, asked a young Monash woman if she could hold the mascot, she handed it over and in a bolt Stephen Roux took the mascot and ran across the grounds of the opening ceremony, gesticulating madly and performing wild tricks. Roars passed through the crowd, along with the mascot. Melbourne 1, Monash 0.
The games took place at Homebush. The Tiger (the boys team) were to face their arch rivals Sydney in the first game. After losing to them last year in the grand final, the boys had much to prove. With new additions to the team of Ben Loft and Dave Beakley the Tiger had a fiercer roar. Winning the first set in convincing style, confidence was high going into the second set. Yet within fifteen points, Tom Andrews, with no assistance from anyone, succesfully rolled his ankle for the third time straight at Uni Games. Mind you, he finished off the point with one leg, succesfully blocking his opponent to win the point. His replacement, Richard 'Tricky' McLeish (quite happy with the aforementioned injury), played on and the team took out the first game 3-1. At the end of the game, the team was witness to a marvel in male - female relations with Ben Loft succesfully picking up in about eight words.
Tuesday and Wednesday saw more victories for the Tiger, many goals reached and team rules abided. Team rule 1 was well respected with everyone beginning their drinking early. Ben Loft acheived our first team goal, succesfully smacking a quick ball (or a metre ball for the rest of us) into the left testicle of the player attempting to pass the ball. The impact we suspect did indeed drive the testicle into the stomach of the player. On the Wednesday, the team song was unveiled (co-written by Jake Avent, Dave Warwick and Tim Richter). The mighty roar of the 'Tiger lads' echoed through the stadium. (Hopefully Angry can get the copywright to the song so it can be available on the website). Thursday saw the comeback of Tom Andrews, much to the disappontment of Tricky who was having a brilliant tournament. Unfortunately, we met Queensland Uni of Tech in the semi-final and their Australian beach player, Josh Slack, along with a cast of other competent volleyballers tore Melbourne Uni to shreds.
Although the ultimate goal of gold was not acheived, these Australian University Games went down as one of the best. The team came together on and off the court, enjoying a satisfying week of volleyball and social activities. The tournament was finished with a BBQ (supplied by Ben Hamilton) in the middle of Hyde Park. Congratulations must go to Ben Heritage, who had a marvellous back court tournament, and Ben Loft who fulfilled his role as big guy in the middle and scary hitter from outside. Both of these players acheived postions in the Green and Gold representative team. Congratulaions must also go to Tim Richter, Eric Orton and Ben Heritage who all received the pink jacket. Tim, for too much fisting, Eric for asking Cress Savige which uni she attended and Ben for falling asleep on the job.
Special thanks to Tim Richter and Jake Avent for the efforts as coaches, their help was greatly appreciated.