Sports spike injected into volleyball
Social games have started, with matches being played every Sunday and Monday at 5pm and 6pm respectively.
A year ago, no one would have predicted the start of a volleyball league in Newcastle.
A year ago, the only volleyball games played in town were the weekly social game among schools and volleyball veterans, and even these games were not played regularly.
A year ago, volleyball was a passing fancy.
Today the foundation for a volleyball league has been laid with the birth of the Newcastle United Volleyball Association (NUVA).
Speaking to project chairs, Keegan Moodley and Sandile Mabaso, one begins to understand the passion behind the driving force of NUVA.
For the sports fundi, Sandile’s name would sound familiar, as he also led the team behind the first Moonlight College Annual Volleyball Tournament last year.
“We want to incorporate all people of Newcastle into this association and future league. Volleyball used to a huge sport in Newcastle prior to 2002. We want to reignite this passion for the sport,” explained Sandile.
As many residents have taken up the sport socially in the past year, the NUVA wants players to unite.
“We want everyone to affiliate to the league so we can begin training camps, create a league, develop school teams and create a sport in town that everyone can enjoy,” said Keegan.
While NUVA is still finding its feet, it has big plans for the future.
It has committed to becoming affiliated to provincial and national volleyball bodies, allowing members of the club to travel for tournaments and selection camps.
“We want to create a youth development training camp in Newcastle. We will be starting a league for schools, host social games, and possibly create a business league to make sure everyone gets involved,” stated Keegan.
“We want to build our sport, and create a bigger hype about sport in Newcastle. Everyone says sports is dying in town, but we forget that we can’t always rely on the municipality and the departments for help. We have to do it ourselves sometimes.”
With this in mind, NUVA requests all parties interested in the development of volleyball in town to attend a meeting scheduled for February 1 at Paradise A-Grounds from 6pm.
The interested parties can include players, school sports coordinators and even corporate bodies who are interested in assisting NUVA.
Social games have started, with matches being played every Sunday and Monday at 5pm and 6pm respectively.
“Even if you are just taking up the sport you are more than welcome to join these games, to allow you to build your skill-set with experienced players.”
Contact Sandile on 078 184 0919 or Keegan on 082 750 7518 for more information.
