1999 Tafe NSW Volleyball Challenge

Five Renegades members travelled up to Sydney as volunteers and referees for the Sydney 2000 Test Event, the International Volleyball Challenge, from August 5 to 8, 1999. Tene, Dave and Angry (plus former Renegades player, Andrew Makohon) drove up on Monday, while Tram and Amir took the easy route by flying.

[img_assist|fid=77|thumb=0|alt=[Chaine Staelens spiking against China - credit: Nick Wilson, Allsport]|class=image-legacy]Leading up to the week, much of the talk had been about trying to workout just what our jobs were going to be - SOCOG had given us verylittle useful information about our volunteer positions. At leastAmir knew he'd be calling lines and ball touches as a linesmanall week. There was little to worry about though as we all ended upwith jobs on the field of play, watching all the matches - the wholereason for volunteering the the first place.

It was great being able to not only watch some of the world's top ten teams play, but also get to meet the players and listen to the coaches.

The Australian women still have a long way to go before being able to consider themselves truly competitive with the likes of China and Italy. However, the Australian men put on a good show, pushing The Netherlands all the way in an entertaining 5 setter on Saturday night (Troy Goodman had the game of his life, with fists punching the air on each shut-out block) and defeating Korea on Friday.

[img_assist|fid=80|thumb=0|alt=[Australian men blocking - credit: Adam Pretty, Allsport]|class=image-legacy]

The week culminated in a big party after the finals on Sunday night with free alcohol. But I think that the USA's Lloy Ball and several members of the Australian team are now wishing they'd skipped the the pub next door when the official party finished...all little boys wanted to be a fireman though, didn't they?!

All in all, a fantastic week of high class volleyball that left us all looking forward to the Sydney Olympics in 2000.