ABOUT WESSEX VOLLEYBALL

The Game
For those of you who find the game a mystery this quick guide may help! Two teams play on each half of a court separated by a net. The basic idea is to ground the ball in your opponents court or force them to make a mistake.

Once the ball is served into the opponents court (1 attempt only) each team has up to three shots (a block is not counted in these three touches) to return the ball back over the net. No player is allowed two consecutive touches (again a block doesn’t count as a touch)

There are five basic shots to master – serve, underarm pass or dig, volley, smash and block. The team must rotate one position when it gains serve so that every player gets to play in all positions. The exception is the use of a specialist backcourt player called a libero. 2 time outs of 30 sec and 6 substitutions are allowed per set.

National league matches are the best of 5 sets – all rally point up to 25 apart from the deciding set which is up to 15. Winning team must be 2 points clear. Local league is best of three sets. A lot of mini volleyball matches are timed.

There is of course rather more to it than that but that takes up a complete rule book!

Membership Fees:

• Adult: £20.00
• Junior: £15.00
• Mini Volleyball: £10.00
• Family: £45 .00
• New members receive a free Club shirt
• Club shirt for existing members: £4.00 - please order from Lynn - Email HERE

Wessex has National League Division 1 Ladies and National League Division 2 Men's teams.

The junior part of the club provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 7 and 19 years to receive coaching and competition in events ranging from local mini volleyball tournaments to National Cup. All coaching is by qualified coaches who are trained and have been screened for their suitability for working with young people.

For those who aren’t aware, volleyball is an energetic non contact sport for both sexes and all ages. It is a team game, whether playing 6 aside on a full court or 2 a side on the beach. Mini volleyball is played on a badminton court with 2, 3 or 4 a side and lighter balls. The Club caters for indoor and beach (in the summer) volleyball, beginners to Internationals from age 7 upwards. Wessex are one of the top all round volleyball clubs and the most successful at junior level in England. We have won 1 English National Cup Senior title, 32 National Junior Championships as well as numerous South West titles.

Join Wessex Volleyball Club: Download Membership Application (pdf)
Junior Applications: Download Parent's Consent Form (pdf)

National League Training Times

• Men - Carter Community College - Tuesdays - 8.15 to 10pm
• Ladies - Carter Community College - Wed's - 8.00 to 10.00pm and some Fridays - 8.00 to 10.00pm.

Junior Info
The junior training times are:

• Under 14 boys and girls 6.45 to 7.45 on Monday’s at Talbot Heath Girls School (School Yr 4, 5,6,7) Rothesay Road, Bournemouth. Cost £2.50
• Under 15 boy’s 7.30 to 8.45 on Monday’s at Talbot Heath Girls School (School Yr 10) Rothesay Road, Bournemouth. Cost £3.50
• Under 16 boy’s 8.30 to 9.45 on Monday’s at Talbot Heath Girls School (School Yr 11) Rothesay Road, Bournemouth. Cost £3.50
• Under 15 girl’s 6.00 to 7.15 on Tuesday’s at Carter Comm College (School Yr 10) Blandford Close, Poole. Cost £3.50
• Under 16 girl’s 7.00 to 8.15 on Tuesday’s at Carter Comm College (School Yr 10) Blandford Close, Poole. Cost £3.50
• Under 18 girl’s 7.00 to 9.30 on Wed’s at Carter Comm College (School Yr 10) Blandford Close, Poole. Cost £4.00
• Under 18 boy’s 7.00 to 9.00 on Wed’s at Talbot Heath Girls School. Rothesay Road, Bournemouth. Cost £4.00
• Fees for members are £1 less than shown above.

Please check whether training is on during school holidays. We do ask that players in the junior and mini volleyball teams inform the coach if they have to miss training. Failure to do so will result in the session fee still being charged.

At Talbot Heath players are not allowed on the balcony or in the far changing rooms. Players must bring their own water bottle to training and matches.

There will be opportunities for talented players to attend South West and England trials and training. SW information will be sent to you if you tell your coaches you are interested.

The South West competition dates and squad training dates and forms are available from the SWVA link (left) or Click HERE

The Inter Regional Championships are the first weekend in May.

The England coaches scout for players during the season.

Volleyball in Schools
Wessex Volleyball Club and the P.B.V.A. are actively involved in volleyball in schools. Your school may be involved in sessions and matches so ask your teacher. The next competition dates are:

• 17th Jan 2008 Thursday  7.30 to 9.30 pm Schools Mini Volleyball Championship (Under 14, Under 13 and Under 12)
• 28th Feb 2008  Thursday   7.15 to 9.45  Schools Under 18 Cup
• 13th March 2008 Thursday  7.15 to 9.45  School Under 16 Cup

Poole and Bournemouth District VA
The players in a team are expected to turn up for each of their matches as shown in the PBVA Handbook. If you are not available please give your coach plenty of warning. All players must take it in turns to do their share of officiating. Make sure you know the local rules! All juniors playing in the local league at Poole Sports Centre on a Thursday evening must wear the Club shirt. Failure to do so results in a fine of £2 from the PBVA and this will be passed on to the players concerned. Players must register to play by filling out a registration form.

If you give a passport size photo to Dave Fry you will get you a membership card which allows you free entry on Thursday nights to Poole Sports Centre. Parents can register for an Associate PBVA membership with the same benefits. Cost per match is £4.00 for adults and £3.75 for juniors. Reduction of £1.00 per match for members.

The PBVA web site is www.pbva.co.uk (or the link on the left)

Junior dates
For dates of junior fixtures, please go to Fixtures page or click HERE

National Cup u15’s – 3/2 (SW) Plymouth & 3rd and 4th March in Worcester Portman Wessex Mini Volleyball tournaments – to be confirmed SW Mini Volleyball tournaments - 27/1 24/3 SW Mini Volleyball Championships Under 15’s and Under 17’s –3rd Feb in Plymouth SW Mini Volleyball Championships in Weston Super Mare on the 10th Feb

It is the aim that every member should be able to play to the highest level their ability allows without being restrained by financial considerations. To do this we need sponsorship. This can take many forms - cash or in kind (e.g. mini buses) – for full club, team, player or match donation. In return we have much to offer. The club generates a lot of publicity, has a very good image, is successful and is very involved in youth development and the local community. Contact Geoff Allen on 01202 740021 for details.

Mark Pitman Memorial Fund – juniors can apply for a grant towards their expenses. Please ask Lynn or Geoff for an application form.