First competitive schools volleyball in Cavan since the 1960s First competitive schools volleyball in Cavan since the 1960s 23rd January 2008 BREFFNI College, Cavan played hosts to Drogheda Grammar and Vocational School Drumshanbo in the schools cadette B Boys National Championships. This is the first Cavan team to enter a National competition since Virginia Vocational in the 1990s but Virginia did not play at home. However the oldest name in the oldest schools volleyball records is Loreto College, Cavan, who were the school Cadette A Champions of 1968. No Cavan school has achieved National honours since then Despite a total lack of experience of ever playing any outsiders the Cavan boys did very well with a number of close sets. Results Match scores; Drumshanbo B bt Breifni College Cavan. 25-14. 25-23; Drogheda Grammar School bt Drumshanbo C; Drumshanbo C bt Breifni College Cavan 25-20 25-14; Drogheda Grammar School bt Drumshanbo B 19-25 25-19 15-10. By virtue of victory over Cavan 25-21 31-29, Drogheda topped the group James Sherry is the man in charge of volleyball at Breifni College. Volleyball has been played in a number of schools including schools Leitrim since the 1970s. In the last few years schools in Northern Ireland involved in the sport has grown substantially. Link Here

LCA Volleyball Moyle Park

6th Year LCA Host 1st Year Volleyball Tournament On Monday 3rd of December the 6th year LCA hosted a volleyball tournament in the Sports Hall for the 1st years. Every 1st year participated in the J.J. 4 Volleyball Tournament in memory of Jason Kelly, a first year student who died recently. The students were split into 19 teams playing on 6 courts. Two teams from each court went through to the next round and the winers went through to the finals. One of the teams from J.J's class, 1.2, succeeded in winning the competition. The winners got 6 trophies, one for each team member. The tournament was organised by the 6th year LCA class in conjunction with Mr O'Byrne, the Active Leisure Studies teacher. A plaque was presented by school principal, Mr John Shortt, to Gary Kelly, J.J.'s brother, from the 6th year LCA students. Click here for an audio visual slide show of the Volleyball Tournament with photographs taken by Mark Hanna. Moyle Park College Link

Volleyball in Coláste Bríde

Volleyball in Coláste Bríde Presentation Secondary School, Clondalkin The enthusiasm for volleyball started up towards the end of our first year in 2000. Most players were from R. Eilbhe and at the start there was barely enough players for a full team. We practiced and had great fun.Our first time playing as a team went extremely well, within a few weeks of playing volleyball; we managed to win the sports day tournament in our school and we were presented with trophies by the principal, Sr. Margarita Ryan. After that the team became confident. We trained vigorously every lunchtime and on Wednesdays after school. We practiced in the gym. We even managed to do a charity match for concern against the teachers in our school. We raised an outstanding 128 euro. In the second year brought great achievements but in the 3rd year was the most memorable. Managed by Ms. Bishop we reached All-Ireland final in Carlow. The standard was very high –we played well as a team. Sarah Jane Fagan and Donna Kiernan’s serving was very powerful and Laura Bunbury and Natasha’s setting was accurate. Natalie, Miriam and Aimees play gave some superb smashes at the net which gained valuable points. We tried our best but were beaten by the better team on the day. We were presented with the All-Irelands Runner-Up medals and we were so proud of ourselves… When the team reached TY and 5th year we reached the quarter finals. This year now as seniors most of the team have completed a volleyball refereeing course and now help at every match that the juniors and cadettes. We miss Laura Daly and Lisa Courtney this year as they moved on to greater things and we wish them well. The club has now five teams playing in competitions. The introduction of j4 and j6 volleyball has improved the standard of play for younger team playing. We encourage other students to participate. It is a fast moving game. It is also an excellent team sport. By Natasha Daly and Natalie Keegan, 6th years Link Here

Volleyball in Newry

Council to host volleyball - 27th February 2008 NEWRY and Mourne District Council are hosting a secondary schools mini-volleyball development programme and are working in partnership with the Volleyball Association Northern Ireland who will be delivering it. It is targeted at second and third year students to increase knowledge of volleyball and the development of the sport. This unique opportunity is part of the Playing for Peace project, which is financially supported by the European Union, Peace and Reconciliation Programme and administered through the Local Strategy Partnership. Playing for Peace is a programme designed to address the issues of isolation, engagement, and leadership and cross community activity among young people in Newry and Mourne through the medium of sport. Volleyball is the second most popular sport in the world but many people in the Newry and Mourne area don’t know anything about this Olympic sport. It is a fun, team game played on many surfaces including grass, sand and indoors with teams of 2-6 people on each side of the net. The sport of Volleyball encourages co-operation, inclusion and equality. It also offers participants excitement, teamwork, fun, good health and the opportunity to socialise. The mini-volleyball programme is designed for physical education classes, it has simplified techniques and is adaptable to facilities. Its main focus however, is on learning through participation. Mayor Michael Cole stated: “Volleyball is a fantastic sport to bring to the area. The Sports Development Department at the Council, through Cross Border Minority Sports Development Officer Nikki McAlinden, are working hard at promoting minority sports within the area. Volleyball would be just another to add to the list. Its great to see so many young people active and enjoying sport.” Link Here