My job as Head Coach is to plan the Sunday evening programme, and to coordinate our team of coaches.
Juniors
This year we attracted a new and very enthusiastic crop of junior beginners who developed very rapidly. By February we were able to take two teams to a SW Junior Grand Prix for their first taste of competition. Our U15s (Alex M, Alex K, Anna G) performed well against much more experienced opponents, while our U11s (Anna B, Hannah, Gabriella and Kuba) excelled to win the U12 division! Hopefully we will be able to attend these events regularly next season, when younger players like Julia can play too.
My congratulations to all our junior players, it’s been a pleasure coaching you. And I’d like to thank all the adults who helped, especially Julie for looking after all the admin and welfare.
Men
Our men’s team have one match to play in Wiltshire League Division 1, which will decide whether we finish second and go into a promotion playoff. We will at least equal last season’s 3rd place. We also played very well in both cup competitions, losing only narrowly to Premier Division teams.
All five new players, including our 13 and 14-year old juniors, made an excellent contribution to a fantastic team spirit and an enjoyable season. Congratulations Zafer (captain), Andrew, Kasper, James, Dave, Tim, Dan, Sergejs, Seb, Hayden, Phil and Laura.
Wiltshire Ladies and Junior League
Despite injuries, illness and work commitments we managed to take a mixed team of adults and juniors to 5 out of 6 rounds of the league to finish in 4th place. We improved as the season progressed, ending with a 50% win record, and beat all our opponents at least once. Our highlight was beating Salisbury to reach the final of the Christmas Cup, where we lost by only two points to champions Devizes.
We use this very friendly and enjoyable league to develop our new adult and junior players around a core of experienced campaigners. Well done Donna, Debbie, Wiesia, Charlotte, Maisie, Hayden, Kasper, Kernnya, Laurie, Emma, Krystal, Kat.
South West Women’s League
Our club’s highest ranked team had an encouraging yet frustrating season! Strong team spirit and ability drove some excellent performances, we beat top teams, and improved on recent seasons. Yet injury, illness and work commitments depleted our match squad and we often ran out of the energy needed to win two five-set matches in a day. On top form we could have achieved as high as 3rd place in the league, but with lack of numbers we lost too many games against middle-ranked teams. This squad has great potential for next year: Donna, Debbie, Oriele, Zuzana, Laura, Kat, Helen, Charlotte, Maritza, Maisie, Wiesia, Mirella, Krystal.
Team coaches
Following Irwin’s retirement I coached all four of our teams/groups this season. It’s been great, but with a demanding work life and declining energy (advancing age!) I can’t keep it up. For the health of the club, me and my family I will be reducing my volleyball commitments next season, so the club must find some more coaches to share the load.
Summer 2017
- Weekly grass sessions (playing for fun) at Lydiard Park – starting May – if someone will organise it.
- Whitefield Tournament, Bristol (grass), 22-23 July – women and men.
- Other sand and grass tournaments, local and nationwide – just get together and enter!
Indoor season 2017-18
- Indoor training will start on the first Sunday in September – see club website for announcements.
Sunday night club sessions 2016-17 (statistics)
During the indoor season (September to April) we plan a training programme for each team or group during our three-hour club sessions on Sundays. Catering for different groups makes for a crowded match and training schedule, but we aim to achieve a fair share of time for our teams and players:
|
Dedicated hours (Sunday evening)
|
Men home matches
|
Men training
|
Women training
|
Mixed training
|
Junior training
|
|
2016-17 season
|
14
|
32
|
27
|
6
|
16
|
|
2015-16 season
|
8
|
29
|
30
|
12
|
17
|
|
2014-15 season
|
18
|
24
|
26
|
14
|
19
|
Women play their home matches at Lavington School
|
Regular players
|
Men
|
Women age 16+
|
Juniors under 15
|
Total
|
|
2016-17 season
|
13
|
16
|
9 (7 girls, 2 boys)
|
38
|
|
2015-16 season
|
11
|
10
|
12 (7 girls, 5 boys)
|
33
|
|
2014-15 season
|
11
|
14
|
13
|
38
|
|
Average attendance
(match & training)
|
Mixed adult
|
Men
|
Women
|
Juniors
|
|
2016-17 season
|
16 (55%)
|
9 (69%)
|
9 (56%)
|
6 (66%)
|
|
2015-16 season
|
14 (58%)
|
8 (73%)
|
9 (69%)
|
5 (42%)
|
|
2014-15 season
|
14 (48%)
|
8 (73%)
|
8 (44%)
|
5 (38%)
|
Phil Heads
Head Coach
March 2017