Air women take 5th consecutive title
Interservices Volleyball
Interservices Volleyball was hosted by RNZAF Base Ohakea over the period 19 – 23 July 2010. Having undertaken a comprehensive training camp over the preceding weekend, both the RNZAF Men’s and Women’s teams (baring a couple of injuries in the Men’s side), were well placed to take on their Army and Navy counterparts in the competition that ensued. Of note it was pleasing to see a significant number of new ‘skins’ at the tournament. There were a record 28 new players or management personnel at the 2010 event, which bodes well for the future of the sports code.
The weather and welcome were warm for all, however the results on the first day of competition were mixed for the RNZAF squads. While beating the Navy teams, both lost to their Army opponents in the first set of round robin games. The RNZAF Women’s team refocused their efforts on day two going through the second round of competition undefeated, not dropping a set, and attaining the first seed spot for the finals. The Men’s team improved on their first days play, taking a set off the Army team, however it was not enough to make it direct to the finals. They knew they would need to play hard against a Navy side which was gaining momentum and confidence, having beaten Army, who rested their big guns and allowed a few of their inexperienced players some court time.
Interservices Volleyball
Finals day dawned bleak and grey in Ohakea and the Air Women’s team waited to see who they would face in the finals. It turned out a crunch game for all, with Navy having gelled significantly as a team over the week, and Army having to reassess their priorities realising that they could not coast along into the finals. A hard fought game with Navy coming out on top. As the rain came down outside the Men’s team faced off against the Navy. While the Air team won the first set convincingly, the Navy squad never gave up and took the second set, which presented a showdown in the third. The RNZAF guys stepped up to the challenge and came away with a win, ready to meet the Army team in the final.
The Women’s final was a tough affair with Navy injecting a late arrival from Wellington to their squad. The Air team took this change in their stride and never let up their focus on the game. While the third set was a close one (25 – 23) the Air side didn’t faltered and came away with a 3 – 0 win, retaining the Police Volleyball Cup for a fifth consecutive year – a significant achievement for female RNZAF sport.
Interservices Volleyball
The Men’s final was an equally physical challenge with the RNZAF team meeting a refreshed and relaxed Army squad. Unfortunately being minus a few key players, the injuries from the week and the demanding semi final game earlier in the day took its toll on the guys and they went down to strong Army team, 3 – 0.
Regrettably, due to availability issues, the Defence Force Squads were light on RNZAF representation, especially the Women’s side; however the following personnel participated in the New Zealand Club Nationals in Napier at the end of August:
- Men’s – F/S Bruce Madley, CPL Steve Repko, AC Brad Anderson, AC Alfie Walter.
- Women’s – Mr Baz Belzile (Coach), SGT Kirrin Borgman (Manager), W/O Scratch McCutcheon (Strapper), AC Ash Thurston.
Interservices Volleyball
Thanks go to the Coaches, FLTLT Paul Smillie and Mr Baz Belzile, for their commitment and hard work at the tournament and to ‘Team Borgman’ for their efforts behind the scenes to ensure the players could focus on the games.
Men’s Team
FLTLT Paul Smillie (Coach), AC Leroy Simpson, F/S Stix Hills, CPL Steve Repko, AC Joel Wiapo, AC Brad Anderson.
CPL Larry Boyd, AC Alfie Walters, F/S Bruce Madley, LAC Gos Gosselin, LAC Matt Janor, FLTLT Jeremy Borgman (Manager), absent LAC Jack Wheeler.
Women’s Team
LAC Amiee Wright, F/S Des Hibbs, SGT Kirrin Borgman (Manager), CPL Nic Lang, LAC G Nuralli, SQNLDR Jackie Searle, Mr Baz Belzile (Coach).
LAC Lauren O’Connell, LAC Hayley Ireland, AC Ash Thurston, AC Deen Ah Lam.