Local volleyball takes big leap

"Volleyball is rapidly growing in popularity," says Gemma Carlisle, regional manager Volleyball Hawke's Bay.

After hotly contested action in the Hawke's Bay/Poverty Bay Senior Secondary Schools championship at Pettigrew-Green Arena on Friday and Saturday, one cannot but agree.

Ten girls and six boy's teams representing high schools Havelock North, Woodford, Taradale (2 teams), Hastings Girls (2 teams), Hastings Christian School, Napier Girls. Hastings Boys, Gisborne (2 teams) and Napier Boys, battled for top honours.

The eventual winners were Hastings Girls' High and Napier Boys' High.

Hastings Christian finished second in the girls' section with Gisborne Boys' High second in the boys'.

Hawke's Bay will also be well represented at the national championship to be held in Palmerston North from March 17-22.

Brett Monaghan, of Napier Boys' High, and Faalagi Oli, of Hastings Girls' High, impressed at PG Arena.

Asked about the future of volleyball here, Carlisle says: "It's increasing in popularity, particularly at school level. We have nearly 2000 registered players. As for our regional tournament, I was most impressed with the standard. The future looks good."