National SpikeBall Primary School Championships 2008/09
SpikeBall Primary School Southern Region Finals
Report by Ciara Buckley
On Friday February 6th Colaiste Stiofan Naofa in Cork played host to the SpikeBall Primary School Southern Region Finals. Teams from Primary Schools in Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford took part in this exciting event. SpikeBall is an adapted Volleyball game that has been growing steadily in popularity amongst Primary and Post Primary schools over the past number of years.
To qualify for the Regional Finals Schools first played in County Finals in their respective counties in 3 categories of competition, Boys, Girls and Mixed, with the winners in each category going forward to the Regional Finals. Last years Southern Region Finals were dominated by Kerry teams with Ardfert N S winning the Girls and Mixed Competition and Glenbeigh N S winning the Boys competition. Ardfert were back in action this year to defend their Regional title in the Girls competition, which would be three in a row, and to challenge for the Boys title having beaten Glenbeigh to the County title this year. Glenbeigh had success this year at county level in the Mixed competition and hoped to add a Regional Title in this category of competition.
The standard was very high on the day with a great improvement evident in teams since County Finals which ran during December and January. All the teams were evenly matched so an exciting day of action was in store. The adapted rules, in particular the second touch being a catch and throw ensure more rallies and attacking play and this was evident throughout the competition. From the first introduction to the sport players are encourage to hit the ball as attacking the ball is the most exciting part of Volleyball. Indeed it was the teams that used their attack to the best effect were the teams that were the most successful in the competition.
In the Girls competition, the Ardfert Kangaroos from Kerry asserted their dominance from early in the day and progressed comfortably from the pool stages to the knockout round of the competition to book their place in the semi finals. Kilkenny team, the Callan Wallabies from Bunscoil McAuley Rice in Callan, newcomers to the competition this year were hot on their heels taking second place going into the knockout stage. St Michaels Falcons from St Michaels N S in Limerick and the Innishannan Tigers both put in solid performances in the group stages and progressed to the semi finals to challenge for a place in the final and a Regional Title. Despite some spirited performances in the pool stages the Gaelscoil Wildcats from Gaelscoil Philib Barun in Tramore and Ayle Eagles from Ayle N S in Tipperary took early exits from the competition failing to qualify for the semi finals. The first semi final pitted last years champions Ardfert Kangaroos against St Michaels Falcons. The Falcons battled hard throughout the game however the experience of the Kerry side proved the difference between the two teams and the Kangaroos progressed to the final. In the second semi final Callan Wallabies overcame the Innishannon Tigers in a very close and action packed game, to reach their first Regional Final. The girls final was full of excitement with each team trading points and unwilling to give into their opponents. However it was to be Ardferts day with the Kerry girls winning the match 2 sets to 0 and reclaiming their Regional title.
In the Boys competition, the Ardfert Blockers, Kerry County Champions, were dominant in the pool stages, undefeated in all four opening games. Ayle Spikers from Tipperary were also undefeated after the opening round, losing out on the first position to Ardfert going into the knockout round only by point difference. Murroe Cougars from Limerick and Church Hill Superstars from Kilkenny were also looking like strong title contenders based on early performances. Carrigaline Dynamos and Gaelscoil Sharks despite some great play were overpowered in the pool stages, such was the level of competition, and took early exits. The semi finals of the Boys competition were both extremely competitive and highly charged games. The Ardfert Blockers had to draw on all their experience in their contest against the Church Hill Superstars. They had less unforced errors at crucial stages of the game and the Kerry side were the first to book their place in the final. The second semi final could have gone either way with Ayle Spikers just losing out by one point to the Murroe Cougars who reached their first Regional Final. The Blockers were too strong for the Cougars in the final and won the match 2-0.
In the Mixed Competition, it was to be a Kerry team again that prevailed on the day. The Glenbeigh Warriors unbeaten in the pool stages looked like early favourites displaying great attacking and defensive skills from the start of play, progressing with relative ease to the semi finals. The battle was on for the remaining semi final places which were filled by St Michaels Dynamos, defeated only by the Warriors in the pool stages, St Leonards Pumas from Kilkenny and Grattan St Vipers from Cork completed the line up. The Clonmel Hitters and Gaelscoil Lions just missed out on a semi final place, but I’m sure will be back next year stronger than ever. St Leonards Pumas took on the might of Glenbeigh in the first semi final, and despite their great efforts they had no answer for the spectacular spiking by the Kerry team. The Dynamos overcame Cork team the Grattan St Vipers to set up a final showdown with the Glenbeigh Warriors. Again the Warriors were dominant in the final and took the game 2 sets to 0 and with it their first Mixed Regional Title.
Sports Studies students from Colaiste Stiofan Naofa and 5th years from Glanmire Community College assisted in running the days’ competition and also officiated all the matches. Their help over the day was invaluable and greatly contributed to the smooth running of the event.
These finals proved to be another very successful outing for Kerry teams with all three Regional titles going to the county. Overall the day was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. We now look forward to the National Finals in March where the top two teams in each category of competition from the South will be pitched against the best of the East and West Regions. Well done to all the young Volleyballers who took part in the Regional Finals and best of luck to the teams that have qualified for the National Finals
If you would like any further information on the SpikeBall schools programme or any other Volleyball queries contact Ciara Buckley, Development Officer Southern Region at 086 8173990 or south@volleyballireland.com
Results:
 Boys Competition:
Winners: Ardfert Blockers, Ardfert NS, Co. Kerry
Runner–up: Murroe Cougars, Murroe NS, Co. Limerick
 Girls Competition:
Winners: Ardfert Kangaroos, Ardfert NS, Co. Kerry
Runner–up: Callan Wallabies, Bunscoil McAuley Rice, Co. Kilkenny
 Mixed Competition:
Winners: Glenbeigh Warriors, Glenbeigh NS, Co. Kerry
Runner–up: St. Michaels Dynamos, St Michaels NS, Co Limerick
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