National SpikeBall Primary School Championships
Eastern Region Finals '08
The Eastern Region SpikeBall Finals took place on 21st February at Manor House School, Watermill Road, Raheny, Dublin. Teams from Laois, Dublin, Kildare and Louth took part in what proved to be an extremely exciting event. SpikeBall is an adapted Volleyball game that has been growing steadily in popularity amongst Primary and Post Primary schools over the past number of years. Qualification for the Regional finals was done through county championships so the best that the East had to offer was on show on the day. The winners and runners up from each competition qualify for the National Finals.
Girls Competition
The Girls competiton was made up of two pools of 3 teams. Castleknock Educate Together, Dublin, St Malachy's (Team B), Louth, and The Rock NS (Team A), Laois competed in Pool A while in Pool B we had Sallins NS, Kildare, The Rock NS (Team B), Laois, and St Malachy's (Team A), Louth battling it out for a place in the semi finals. The first semi final saw both teams from St Malachy's in one semi final with Team B making it into the final to face The Rock (Team B). In a hard fought final St Malachy's (Team B) got the better of the Rock winning 30-18.
Well done to all the teams and in particular to St Malachy's (Team B) and the Rock (Team B) who qualify for the National Finals.
Winners: St Malachy's (Team B), Louth.
Runners-up: The Rock (Team B), Laois.
 
(L) Girls Winners - St Malachy's (Team B), Louth.
(R) Girls Runners up - The Rock (Team B), Laois (with teacher Liam Ahern)
Boys Competition
The Boys Competition was made up of 3 teams - Castleknock Educate Together, Dublin, Sallins NS, Kildare and The Rock NS, Laois. With each team playing each other twice there was some very competitive games with The Rock and Castleknock making it to the final after a hard fought set of games. In the final Castlerock overcame The Rock 22-13 despite the Rock beating Castleknock twice in the earlier rounds.
Well done to the three teams. Castleknock and The Rock NS qualify for the National Finals.
Winners: Castleknock Educate Together, Dublin.
Runners up: The Rock NS, Laois.
 
(L) Boys Winners - Castleknock Educate Together, Dublin
(R) Boys Runners up - The Rock NS, Laois (with teacher Liam Ahern)
Mixed Competition
The Girl Competition was made up of four teams - Castleknock Educate Together (Team A), Dublin, Castleknock Educate Together (Team B), Dublin, Sallins NS, Kildare & Ballyshannon, Kildare. The four teams all played each other once with all teams playing great SpikeBall. With Castleknock Educate Together (Team A) qualifying as group winners the other final place was decided on points scored difference with Sallins edging out Ballyshannon. The final itself was very exciting with Sallins beating Castleknock 18-17.
Well done to the four teams. Sallins NS and Castleknock Educate Together (Team A) qualifying for the National Finals.
Winners: Sallins NS, Kildare
Runners up: Castleknock Educate Together (Team A), Dublin
 
(L) Mixed Winners - Sallins, Kildare
(R) Mixed Runners up - Castleknock Educate Together, Dublin
Transition Year students from Manor House School, Raheny assisted in running the days’ competition providing referees and score keepers. The TY’s are participating in the SpikeBall Transition Year Leader Programme run by the Volleyball Association as part of the Women in Sport initiative. The programme has been a great success in introducing Volleyball to many new Primary Schools and has been a great experience for both the primary school pupils and the Transition Years involved. A big thank you to the girls and their teacher, Glenn Carpenter, for assisting with hosting the event.
We now look forward to the National Finals on 11th March in Limerick where the teams from the East will be pitched against the best of the South and West. Well done to all the young Volleyballers who took part in the Regional Finals and best of luck to the teams that have qualified for the National Finals.
Thank you to all the teams that took part and the teachers for the participation.
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