Article by Soracha O'Rourke, TY Student, Presentation College Tuam, Co. Galway
Ah, the college scene. Caffeine fuelled all nighters, relying on beans on toast for survival (beans means Heinz) , wild out of control raves and parties, hoards of national school children screaming, shoving and elbowing their way into the uni’s multi functional sports hall…. At least that was the case on Tuesday March 10th 2009 at Mary Immaculate in Limerick! No these are not child geniuses enrolling for courses, neither are they experimental subjects for the science grads or even just plain old lost. Better. These little group of angels, I’m sure that’s what their teachers call them, are the 2009 All Ireland Spikeball finalists, and my god have they earned their right to be here!
On March 10th some elite primary school students, speckled across the country abandoned their maths books, schoolbags, prefabs and pens, for one day at least, and ventured out to Mary Immaculate, intent to do the months of preparation, training and lets be honest, fun, justice! As nets were erected, bags hauled through the corridors and the competitors seeped through the door confidently the buzzing of excitement and anticipation that also glimmered in each kid’s wide eyes could almost be heard. Eighteen teams, eight schools, 3 sections with one victorious winner. It was time to get down to business!
The contest was divided into three separate categories: Girls, Boys and mixed. The first teams filed onto the courts heads in the game, eyes on the prize and any other cliché you want to throw in yourself. As soon as the ball was soaring through the air like a bullet resulting from the first service of the day it became quite obvious as to why these bunch have made it this far. I have just watched a handful of cute, smiley, bubbly children magically transform into monsters on the court, no joke! Slaps and spikes so hard I wouldn’t be surprised that if the other participants miss it the gym’s wall will acquire itself a new window, compliments of the volleyball association. They put their bodies on the line diving to hit that dig and volleys rendered the balls so high that I could have written this report in the time it took for it to come back into play. And yet as soon as the sharp whistle from the time keeper indicated the end of the fifteen minute set it was like they stepped out a scary Halloween costume and into their ordinary selves, each side shaking hands warmly, already craving the next match.
In the three segments participants from Kildare, Westmeath, Kerry, Roscommon, Galway and Kilkenny, Dublin, Wicklow, Laois, Westmeath and Limerick went head to head for the longed for championship titles, consequential ego boosts and expansions in pride and naturally and most importantly, the bragging rights! The afternoon was played away until only six teams were left. Yes, ladies and gentlemen we have reached the finals.
The heat has been turned up when it is announced that the finals will consist of two 14 minute sets, but these kids don’t break a sweat, they must be just too cool to panic. The Girls division court sees the Ardfert Kangaroos from Kerry and the Callan Wallabies from Kilkenny battle it out for top trumps. Lady luck was in the Kangaroos’ from Ardfert National School’s corner but my crystal ball tells me we haven’t heard the last of those Wallabies! In the Boys quarter the game evolves personally as the two teams, Creagh Superstars and Creagh Dynamos both branch from Creagh National School in Ballinsloe Galway! The Superstars may have had the upper hand this time but id say there will be many a rematch during the upcoming P.E sessions and lunch times out in the yard, am I right lads? The Glenbeigh warriors in Kerry and St. Augustine’s Wallabies in Galway face off against one another in the mixed contest, The warriors from Glenbeigh National school bringing the win home to the kingdom. Congratulations to all those who got placed but there wouldn’t even been a tournament if the other schools hadn’t taken part, so a big shout out to them as well.
Being amidst all the organised chaos, action and commotion that such an event breeds its easy to forget what today is all about. Sure there’s the shiny trophy, the polished medals and photographers cameras flashing but that’s only such a small portion of what the whole programme was concerned with.
One of the aims was to increase the amount of Irish children involved in sport today, especially when obesity levels are at astronomical rates. Spike ball involves 100% more gameplay than ordinary volleyball making it the perfect sport to get kids hearts pumping, feet jumping and arms thumping, the fast paced game masking a complete body workout, that can keep kids in top shape. The experience has also taught the kids a lot in the area of social integration. Working together towards a common goal, discovering not everything can be achieved by yourself and being aware that you cant always have your own way are qualities that children will use to their advantage in many aspects of life.
It was absolutely fantastic to see the level of interest, skill and talent present among all the pupils of the schools, it seems that the popularity of Spikeball is spreading like wild fire! Hopefully next year even more schools will take part in the competition next year and help spread the addictive game even further!
