Volleyball is being revived as the Nelson Mandela Bay Volleyball Association has taken up the challenge to let this sport gain the popularity it once enjoyed not only in Uitenhage and Despatch, but also the Eastern Cape.
Heading this challenge is former Jack-of-all-trades local sportsman Andrew Prins, also the chairman of the Nelson Mandela Bay Volleyball Association (NMBVA).
According to Prins NMBVA is backed by Volleyball South Africa, the Eastern Province’s Sports Council as well as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“Two of the main reasons for the decline in volleyball were the lack of volleyball courts and lack of development among young players,” said Prins.
“Uitenhage, countrywide, was known for its excellent volleyball players. W we even had Springboks. Now that most of these players have retired from the sport there is a huge gap as development of young players was not a priority.”
Prins is excited about the municipality coming on board and granting the use of municipal halls in Rosedale, Uitenhage Indoor Sports Centre, Despatch and Raymond Ma-hlaba hall. Other courts include those at NMMU Missionvale and South campuses as well as at VWSA PeoplePavilion.
Currently NMBVA has 18 registered teams (12 male teams & 6 female teams) and Kouga has joined the association with their 2 teams.
Last year the association hosted three provincial tournaments which include the South African Local Government Association volleyball games. In the latter, the NMBVA U.19 male team won with the U.19 female team finishing third. Three of the association’s members were included in the SA U.23 team.
Four of NMBVA’s teams participated at last year’s Inter Provincial Tournament with the male and female U.23 teams both making it to the finals where they unfortunately lost.
Volleyball school league
“Our focus is very much on development. There are many talented young ones in our communities and we need them to become keen volleyball players.
“In exposing them to volleyball, a schools development league is being played, with some outstanding players participating,” said Prins.
Local schools participating in the league include Uitenhage High, Gamble Street, John Walton, Dower Practising School, Uitenhage Primary, CW Hendrickse, Caritas, Limekhaya and Uitenhage Convent Primary.
National Champions Cup
The Nelson Mandela Bay Volleyball Association will host the National Champions Cup, seeing top clubs competing from April 24-28 at NMMU South Campus. The local association will enter four teams.
The office bearers of the Nelson Mandela Bay Volleyball Association are: Andrew Prins (chairperson), Vernon Mostert (secretary), Craig Cowie (treasurer), Kelvin Maarman (development officer), Eugene Coetzee (development officer), Nadia Petrus (matches & referees) and Deon Daniels (schools: convener).
- For more information contact Andrew Prins at 063 680 5963 or e-mail: andrewprins11@gmail.com
