Jonathan “Funky” Dragt is an ex-teammate and my housemate. I’ve known him since 2001, when we both started playing reserves for different clubs. I met him at Uni when Volleyball SA was holding a come-and-try day to promote a new social competition at the campus. He came from Horsham in Victoria and was coached by Dave Berry, an ex-Victorian state player that missed out on national selection because of a liver condition.
Jono and I became fast friends and with a few others started the UniSA volleyball club to make it cheap for people to play social volleyball. The club went on to field successful University Games Teams winning the Men’s and Women’s national titles in 2002 and 2003.
Jono joined my club soon after and we played through some of the darkest times in our club’s history, when our men’s team turned over dozens of players and didn’t win a match for 3 years.
Jono got his nickname from a crazy haircut he got for a tournament – it was dyed in our club colours, green, red and white. He’s not very tall but has a huge leap, great setting hands and brilliant passing technique.
Over the years we played HEAPS of volleyball together, for club, uni and social teams. We’re unbeatable on court. I’m the dour one and he’s the showpony. We traveled a lot together on tournaments, and i figured if we could still be friends after all that he’d make the perfect housemate. We’re like the odd couple – completely opposite. I’m bookish, organised and clinical, whereas he’s outgoing, messy and more emotionally engaged. We get along great.
He’s also a great coach. this year we ran our club’s (Henley Hawks) junior programme, and worked really well together. We bring very different strengths that complement each other. Generally, I’m very technical, tactical and strategic. He’s spontaneous, energetic and has an excellent rapport with players. I also wanted him to coach the Willunga boys this year in Melbourne, but he had to pull out at the last minute becausze he couldn’t get the time off work. he’s much better with that age group and the team doesn’t respond to me that well.
Pity. Could have really used him on this trip.
