Volleyball Taranaki Inc.

SEND A THANK YOU MESSAGE TO YOUR COACH:
Volleyball Taranaki acknowledges the time and effort that coaches put into their team/s.
Here is an opportunity for players to send your coach a personal message to say THANK YOU.
Sport New Zealand is running a campaign to celebrate everyday coaching heroes.
You can create a personalized digital thank you message and send it to your coach!
Link here ➡️

Let's Celebrate Our Everyday Heroes • Homepage Coaches across Aotearoa dedicate countless hours to supporting young athletes and teams. Now it's your turn to say thanks! Choose from an e-card or video message, fill in the details, and we’ll take care of the rest. Sport NZ will also spotlight selected messages on our socials, so keep an eye ou...

Volleyball Taranaki extends is deepest sympathy to the extended Thomas family on hearing of the passing of Tony Thomas the legendary player, coach and referee from Nelson.
Tony visited Taranaki on several occasions during the 1990's as the co-director of the Export Gold national Beach Volleyball pro-tour.
RIP Tony- gone too soon.

It is with our deepest sympathy that we acknowledge the loss of Tony Thomas, a cherished member of our Volleyball Tasman family. Tony's remarkable journey spanned almost 40 years as a Player, Coach, National Assistant Coach (Jnr Men), National A Referee, and International Beach Volleyball Referee. His expertise and dedication saw him appointed by the International Federation to Beach Tour events in Asia and Brazil, and as the Beach Referee Manager for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Tony's leadership was instrumental in shaping the future of our sport in the Tasman region. In 2019 he was rightfully honoured with Volleyball New Zealand’s Distinguished Service Award to follow on from his Life Membership with Volleyball Tasman.

Our hearts go out to Tony's family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Tony. Your spirit will always be a part of Volleyball Tasman.

Obituary: https://deaths.press.co.nz/nz/obituaries/the-press-nz/name/anthony-thomas-obituary?id=55658446

Volleyball Taranaki extends is deepest sympathy to the extended George family on hearing of the passing of Phil George the legendary Volleyball coach of Western Heights High School in Rotorua throughout the 1980's and 1990's.
Phil received a Volleyball New Zealand Service Award in 2004.

Kia Hiwa ra! Kia Hiwa ra!

Kua taka te pou o Atiu e Rarotonga!

Kua taka te pou o Rotohokahoka!

Kua taka te pou Poirewa!

Kua taka pou Whutupaora!

E te rangatira e Mr George, haere atu ra.

Haere atu, hoki atu ki te kainga tuturu o te tangata.

Haere atu hoki atu ki te wahi tika.

E te rangatira, haere atu ra, haere atu ra.

With great sadness, we acknowledge the passing of Mr Phillip George.

Mr George taught for many years at Western Heights High School and was instrumental in establishing volleyball at our school. His coaching and dedication to volleyball led to many National titles over the years and firmly cemented Heights as a powerhouse in the sport.

His other passion was rugby, coaching the First XV to three Moascar Cup victories - the oldest and most prestigious nationwide trophy in First XV rugby.

Western Heights High School extends our sincere condolences to Mr George’s whānau.

We invite our community to share memories and messages below.

COACHES OF YOUTH (12-18Y) FEMALE ATHLETES:
If you are a coach of competitive youth (12-18y) female athletes then this FREE course will be on interest to you.
The "Her Strength- Elevation Youth Female Sport" course will be held over 6 x 2 hour sessions from 6-8pm on Tuesdays from 13th August - 24th September.
To more information or to register email Dr. Julia Casadio at [email protected]

"This is an essential message for all adults working with sporting youth" so we can ensure our rangatahi are active for life 🙌✨

2024 IPC PLAYERS
THOSE WHO ORDERED VTI HOODIES-- THEY HAVE ARRIVED.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 16-22 JUNE:
Volleyball Taranaki extends its most grateful thanks to all parents, drivers, managers, coaches, referees, sports co-ordinators and Club officials for the time and effort you all contribute into making Volleyball available to so many players in Taranaki. Without your voluntary contribution many of our Volleyball activities would not happen.
Board of Directors. Volleyball Taranaki.

2024 TARANAKI UNDER19 WOMENS' BLACK TEAM-IPC:
Back row: Robbie Booth (Coach), Melanie Avery, Madeline Leeks (Vice-Captain), Emma Hale, Tia Christiansen, Chelsea Gartner (Captain), Jean Smiley, Jessica Proctor (Assistant coach).
Front Row: Tatyana Ibarra-Antioquia, Lola Crawshaw.

NZ JUNIOR MEN vs AUSTRALIA THIS WEEKEND 8-10 JUNE:
OCEANIA PLAYOFF -
A spot in the Asian Volleyball Confederation(AVC) Junior Men’s U-20 Championships is on the line this weekend at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra as our New Zealand Junior Men’s team meet Australia in a 3-match series.
You can see our NZ/Poirewa Aotearoa team in action via live-streaming coverage for each match linked below.
Match 1 – June 8, 6pm (NZ time) – click here https://www.youtube.com/live/pq8UND9sUzE (AusVolley Youtube)

Match 2 – June 9, 8pm (NZ time) – click here https://www.youtube.com/live/lm1imwIe-S4 (AusVolley Youtube)

Match 3 – June 10, 4pm (NZ time) – click here https://www.youtube.com/live/lh_aFC0Vb0s (AusVolley Youtube)

2024 TARANAKI UNDER19 WOMENS' GOLD TEAM-IPC:
Back row: Lila Corral, Ava Topping, Meisha Hopkinson, Samantha Hart, Haruna Saito, Erica Thompson.
Front Row: Aliana Scholey, Anna Clough, Scarlett Dinnis.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GRANT HARRISON:
Grant Harrison (Whangarei) has been awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to volleyball.
Grant becomes the third member of the wider Volleyball New Zealand community to have received a Queen's/King's Honour.
Many Taranaki Volleyballers will be familiar with Grant.
The following article was published in the Northern Advocate.

When he started out in volleyball, Grant Harrison wanted to help others enjoy the game. Receiving a King’s Birthday Honour for it was not on his cards.
He said to be made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit [MNZM] in recognition of his work with the sport was unexpected and humbling.
Grant Arthur Harrison was a made Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service to volleyball.
“I have received awards as part of team successes, I have been acknowledged for services to volleyball locally and regionally in particular in coaching - but the significance of this recognition is far wider. It makes me aware of an impact wider than who is in front of you at any given time.”
Harrison has been contributing to the development of volleyball for more than 40 years.
He has led Te Puke High School’s Senior Girls’ team to three national championships in the 1980s which led to his appointment as the coach for the Under-19 New Zealand Junior Women’s Volleyball team and served as head coach for NZ’s senior Women’s National team between 1991 to 1996.
He became the regional sport director of Sport Northland in 1994, holding the position for 26 years.
He oversees the development of beach volleyball, assisting with the National Beach Volleyball circuit, and coaches the Under-17 and Under-19 Northland Inter-Provincial teams, providing opportunities for player selection for national camps.
“I have been fortunate to work in sport and I am enthusiastic about that, and I am grateful to be acknowledged for doing something that is important to me. It also gives me cause to reflect on those who have supported and encouraged me on this journey and to those who I have impacted. It means a lot to me that I have had the impact on people to have them nominate me for recognition rather than the recognition itself.”
He said he developed his love for volleyball from his father and was also influenced by Phil Merritt, the first volleyball coach who was able to mentor him in the first few years of coaching and Keith Roberts who introduced him to the science involved in sport.
“I hope I have passed on a love of sport being more than just what you play, it’s about personal development. It gives you a greater understanding of yourself and your capabilities as well as an acceptance of differences. A personal focus of the work I have done has been coaching. I take pleasure in seeing athletes become better people as well as better athletes.” Photo / Michael Cunningham

2024 VNZ INTER-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS-FINAL PLACINGS:
The championships were played at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre, Wellington, June 1-3.
Senior Women
Gold: Harbour
Silver: Canterbury
Bronze: WECA

Senior Men
Gold: Harbour
Silver: Canterbury
Bronze: Wellington

U-19 Women
Gold: Canterbury
Silver: Bay of Plenty
Bronze: Wellington

U-19 Men
Gold: Harbour
Silver: Otago
Bronze: Bay of Plenty

U-17 Women
Gold: Canterbury
Silver: Tasman
Bronze: Harbour

U-17 Men
Gold: Bay of Plenty
Silver: Waikato
Bronze: Tasman

LINK TO THE 2024 IPC DRAWS & RESULTS
https://www.volleyballnz.org.nz/competitions/indoor/inter-provincial-champs

NEW SPORTS STADIUM FOR NEW PLYMOUTH
Volleyball Taranaki is thrilled of the announcement that the New Plymouth District Council will fund up to $50million for a new 6 Basketball court stadium beside the current TSB Stadium.
The new stadium will provide 12 Volleyball courts capable of hosting NISS, NZSS and VNZ Club national events. Each court will be full-size and have sufficient free zone space around all courts.
The TSB Stadium has 4 such courts so Volleyball will have a 16 court tournament venue. For local leagues 19 courts will be available.
Huge thanks must go to Phil Gayton and the Spotswood Volleyball Club for all of their efforts since 2005 in continuing to promote for a new venue, attending numerous planning meetings, and preparing and delivering written and verbal submissions, etc to the NPDC LTP's. Volleyball is all the better for their efforts.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350291538/active-hub-gets-green-light-and-major-lift-budget
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350291538/active-hub-gets-green-light-and-major-lift-budget

Council approves Tūparikino Active Community Hub with $50m budget The New Plymouth District Council has given the green light to the Tūparikino Active Community Hub and lifted its budget to $50 million.

2024 TARANAKI UNDER 17 BOYS' SQUAD:
The following players have been selected to represent Taranaki at the 2024 VNZ Inter-provincial tournament to be played in Wellington at King's birthday weekend.
Wairangi Davey (Captain)
Dhio Yoshimura (Vice Captain)
Ethan Hagley
Rowan Lucinsky
Carter Lucinsky
Jaxon McDonald
Astin Pope
Ollie Smith
Sammi Annane
Charles Jemenez

2024 TARANAKI UNDER 19 MENS' SQUAD:
The following players been selected for the 2024 IPC tournament in Wellington King's birthday weekend 31st May 3rd June.
Zalan Lizan (Captain)
Mason Kempton (Vice captain)
Flynn Schrider
Reeve MacRae
Lucas Heggie
Cullen Bouterey
Kaleb Hinton
Malachy Herlihy
Marshall Fearson
Tommy Li
Balint Molnar

TARANAKI WOMENS' 2024 UNDER 19 SQUADS:
The following squads have been selected for the 2024 IPC tournament in Wellington King's birthday weekend.
A reminder that there are trainings sessions on Sundays 19th & 26th, and Mondays 20th and 27th May.
Gold team:
Erica Thompson (Captain)
Samantha Hart (Vice-captain)
Ava Topping
Anna Clough
Scarlett Dinnis
Meisha Hopkinson
Lila Corral
Haruna Saito
Aliana Scholey
Black team:
Chelsea Gartner (Captain)
Madeline Leeks (Vice-captain)
Emma Hale
Tia Christiansen
Jean Smiley
Lola Crawshaw
Melanie Avery
Tatyana Ibarra-Antioquia

HAWERA VOLLEYBALL CLUB
2024 WINTER LEAGUE
SUNDAYS 5.30-9.30 CONTACTS marion.webby@ stdc.govt.nz or [email protected]

TARANAKI UNDER 19 WOMENS' TRAINING SQUAD:
Volleyball Taranaki will announce the training squad for the 2024 IPC to be played at Wellington at Kings' birthday weekend on Sunday.
Two teams will compete from the wider squad.
The next training session will be at the TSB Stadium from 8.00 - 9.00pm on Sunday 5th May.
All who attended last Sunday are asked to attend this session.

TARANAKI UNDER 17 BOYS' TRAINING SQUAD:
Volleyball Taranaki has announced the following training squad for the 2024 IPC to be played at Wellington at Kings' birthday weekend.
Sammi Annane
Wairangi Davey
Kingston Davis
Ethan Hagley
Charles Jemenez
Rowan Lucinsky
Carter Lucinsky
Jaxon McDonald
Astin Pope
Ollie Smith
Dhio Yoshimura
Further details will be advised,

TARANAKI UNDER 19 MENS' TRAINING SQUAD:
Reg Korau has announced the following training squad for the 2024 IPC to be played at Wellington at Kings' birthday weekend.
Reg will advise players of the time of the training session tomorrow- Wednesday 1st May.
Cullen Bouterey
Marshall Frearson
Lucas Heggie
Malachy Herlihy
Kaleb Hinton
Finley Jones
Mason Kempton
Tommy Li
Zalan Lizan
Reeve MacRae
Balint Molnar
Kauby Ngatai
Flynn Schrider

U17 & U19 BOYS' IPC TEAMS NEXT TRAINING SUNDAY 26TH MAY AT TSB STADIUM 6.00-7.30PM. U19 WOMEN 7.30PM.

NPDC- "HAVE YOUR SAY":
Here is the link to the NPDC "Have your say" on the 2024-2034 LTP.
Please consider making a written submission.
Submissions close this Friday 19th April.

10-Year Plan (2024-2034) 10-Year Plan (2024-2034).

VOLLEYBALL & BASKETBALL SUPPORT THE PROPOSED NEW SPORTS HUB:
For over 20 years, both Volleyball and Basketball have annually asked the NPDC to have extensions made to the TSB Stadium that was built in 1992.
In 2002, the stadium was re-designated an "Events Venue" and since then both sports have suffered from lack of court space or being unable to make regular bookings due to commercial exhibitions and expos, etc. Increased playing numbers have also meant that more court space is required.
In 2014 an extension was added to the 10 year LTP but removed in 2017.
In 2021, the NPDC allocated $40m towards the Hub project in its LTP.
The sports collective is keen to see a 6 Basketball court extension that would give an additional 9-12 Volleyball courts. Not only will this help with current lack of court space but would allow for some future increase in playing numbers.
In 2021, the NPDC allocated $38.5m towards the project in its LTP.
The new LTP is open for discussion at present with submissions closing on Friday 19th April.

A link to the NPDC for written submissions will be posted above this page.

Top basketball boss claims lack of quality facilities in New Plymouth holding sport back New Zealand’s top basketball administrator has weighed in on the Tūparikino Active Community Hub debate.

2024 IPC AGE GROUP TRIALIST:
The second session for the U17 Boys', Under 19 Mens' and Under 19 Womens' squads will be held at the TSB Stadium on Sunday 28th April.
The actual time for each group will be advised closer to the date once the Spotswood Volleyball Club has published its 2024 Autumn League series 1 draw.
Each age group will have a separate session between 5.00 and 9.00pm.
The players who have missed selection for the second session will be personally advised.

2024 IPC AGE GROUP TEAM INFORMATION:
The Board of Directors have appointed the following officials for their 2024 IPC programme.
Selectors: Brendan Dickson and Reg Korau
Coaches:
Girls: Head Coach Phil Gayton; co-coaches Robbie Booth & Jessica Proctor.
Boys: Head Coach Reg Korau; co-coach Te Kiri King.

For this year's IPC in Wellington (31st May - 3rd June) Volleyball Taranaki has entered the following 4 teams:-
Under 19 Women 2 teams.
Under 17 Boys and Under 19 Men 1 team in each.

There were insufficient player registrations for the Under 17 Girls so players who did register can trial for the Under 19 teams if they wish.

The approximate cost per player for the IPC is $500.

The trials will be held on Wednesday 10th April at the TSB Stadium.
Girls: From 5.30 - 7.00pm
Boys: From 7.15 - 8.45-pm

Players who did not participate for a school in the senior regional qualifying series will need to bring $20.00 to the trials to register with Volleyball Taranaki.

Board of Directors.
Volleyball Taranaki.

VTI AGE GROUP TRIALS FOR THOSE WHO REGISTERED IS AT: TSB STADIUM WED 10 APRIL
GIRLS' TRIAL 5.30-7.00
BOYS' TRIAL 7.15- 8.45

2024 IPC PLAYER "EXPRESSION OF INTEREST"
Registrations have closed.

:2024 INTER-PROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT:
This year's Volleyball New Zealand IPC will be held in Wellington during King's Birthday weekend Friday 31st May - Monday 3rd June (4 days).
Volleyball Taranaki Board of Directors met last night to consider the position regarding entering Taranaki age group teams in the 2024 event.
As was the case last year players are being asked to register on the "Expressions of Interest" form that will be posted here today(see above).
Registrations have closed.
The Directors will meet again to make a decision as to what teams VTI will enter. This decision will also be considering what Coaches are available.
If a decision is made to enter teams, it is hoped to hold a trial before the holidays.