Most certainly there was some over simplification on my part there…

But I have spoken to a few of the athletes I mentioned last time, and they all agree, without hesitation, that they are better volleyballers due to the experience of playing in Sydney. Rory Welsh is one such player, who excelled like you would not believe in Sydney, he then went onto win an MVP award in melbourne. He told me that his time in Sydney helped every aspect of his game, as well as giving him the confidence and experience in tournament play. Jade arrived at the trials not looking like the player you mention…But boy did he grow throughout the training sessions and in Sydney he stepped up exceptionally.

Another one to think about is a young lad called Jordan Maslen, who last during trainings was otherwise focussed, he was always wanting to go out and play footy…After the trip to Sydney, I spoke to him and his Father, and they both agree, he’s a volleyballer now. He has the bug, he wants to play 21s one day. Another lad in my team last year David had a pretty good tournament, he was a TID athlete who was just kind of playing because he was at SASI…After the State program he told me how he loved the sport, as soon as the tournament finished his Dad was on the phone to Brighton, seeing if he could enroll in the school. He regrets not starting playing earlier (perhaps as a 14 year old in a State team….)

There are many little stories like this…Sure they players might have achieved the same thing if they were not a part of a development squad, but you cannot argue with the testimony of athletes telling you that you have either helped them become a better player and set them up for future tournaments, or given them the passion to love the sport.

Murph