National Secondary Schools' Volleyball Championships are off to a slamming start

The Volleyball New Zealand 2010 National Secondary Schools’ Volleyball Championships are underway at Arena Manawatu.

On Sunday night, 140 volleyball teams from around the country arrived in Palmerston North for the 42nd National Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships.

The Opening Ceremony commenced with a moving Hato Paora College welcome and an enthusiastic opening statement from Palmerston North’s Mayor, Jono Naylor. While Coaches and Managers attended the Technical Meeting, athletes were entertained by local celebrity – past New Zealand’s Got Talent runner-up, Joshie and a celebrity volleyball match featuring Jono Naylor, More fm DJ’s, Jets Stars Kaine Hokianga and Coach Ryan Weisenberg, with Manawatu Stu supporting on the sideline.

Manawatu is this year represented by Feilding High School, Freyberg High School (boys and girls), Palmerston North Boys High School (3 teams), Longburn Adventist College and Awatapu College. Palmerston North Boys High School found out the level of competition early, as they confronted last year’s champions De la Salle College in pool play - loosing 3:1.

Top seeded teams from Tauranga Girls and Boys Colleges are looking strong and will be serious contenders for the Finals and a gold medal – a goal that slipped away from them in 2010. From the South Island, Waimea College from Tasman are showing potential to rattle the North Island teams in both girls and boys divisions as they also pursue the champions titles.

The Finals for all divisions will be held on Friday and should not be missed. The day will conclude as the Boys and Girls Division 1 teams set serve and spike their way to this year’s gold. With free entry to this event throughout the event, organisers expect Arena Manawatu to be packed to full capacity on Friday afternoon with the commencement of the Girls Division 1 Final at 3.00pm and the Boys to follow at 4.30pm.

ENDS.

Tournament information, draw, and results can be found at the following link: http://pnvolleyball.co.nz/VNZ%20SS%202010/VNZ%20Senior%20SSChamps%202010.htm