National SpikeBall Primary School Championships
SpikeBall Primary School Southern Region Finals
Report by Ciara Buckley
 On Thursday February 7th Christ the King Secondary School in Douglas played host to the SpikeBall Primary School Southern Region Finals. Teams from Primary Schools in Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford took part in this 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.
To qualify for the Regional Finals Schools first played in County Finals in their respective counties in 3 categories of competition, boys, girls and mixed, with the winners in each category going forward to the Regional Finals. Last years Southern Region Finals were dominated by Kerry teams with Ardfert N S winning all three titles not just at Regional Level but also at National Level, a remarkable achievement. Ardfert were back in action this year to defend their Regional titles in the Girls and Mixed competition, having lost out to Glenbeigh N S in the boys competition at the Kerry County Finals.
 The standard was very high on the day with a great improvement evident in teams since their last competition in December. However all the teams were evenly matched so an exciting day of action was in store. The adapted rules, in particular the second touch being a catch and throw ensure more rallies and attacking play and this was evident throughout the competition. From the first introduction to the sport players are encourage to hit the ball as attacking the ball is the most exciting part of Volleyball. Indeed it was the teams that used their attack to the best effect were the teams that were the most successful in the competition.
 In the girls competition, the Ardfert Smashers from Kerry asserted their dominance from early in the day and progressed comfortably from the pool stages to the knockout round of the competition to book their place in the final. Cork team, the Farranree Superstars were hot on their heels taking second place going into the knockout stage, however their title hopes were dashed in their semi final against Ayle Koalas from Tipperary. Ayle Koalas, who played in the National Finals last year, started the day slowly, however as the competition progressed their confidence grew. They also ended the hopes of St Michaels Wallabies in their quarter final encounter. The Wallabies performed extremely well in their first year of competition and I’m sure will be back even stronger next year. Gowran Sharks from Kilkenny and Gaelscoil Lions from Waterford, despite some spirited performances also took early exits from the competition at the quarter final stages. The final of the girls competition pitted last years champions Ardfert Smashers against Ayle Koalas. It was a very exciting game with each team trading points and unwilling to give into their opponents. However it was to be Ardferts day with the Kerry girls winning the match 2 sets to 0 and reclaiming their Regional title.
 In the boys competition the Glenbeigh Warriors were looking like early favourites coming into the day after beating last years champions Ardfert in the Kerry County Finals and denying them a chance to defend their National Title. Indeed Glenbeigh did not disappoint on the day. Displaying great attacking and defensive skills they progressed to the Boys Finals unbeaten. The Blue Blazers from Cork were also looking like strong contenders, 2nd to Glenbeigh after the pool stages only on points difference. In the quarter finals the Blazers out played Tipperary team, CBS Pumas to book their place in the semi finals. Their opponents were Kilkenny team the Gowran Pumas who put in a great performance to beat Limerick side Courtenay Tigers in their semi final. The Blazers just defeated the Pumas by one point in the semi final to set up a thrilling final against Glenbeigh. The final lived up to all expectations however the might of Glenbeigh prevailed and they took the match 2 sets to 0 and the Regional Title.
 In the Mixed Competition, it was to be a Kerry team again that prevailed on the day. The Ardfert Blockers unbeaten in the pool stages defeated the Gaelscoil Tigers to book their place in the final. Church Hill Wildcats from Kilkenny, in their first year of competition, performed extremely well to reach the semi finals, defeating Limerick side Cloverfield Spikers in the quarter finals. Their opponents in the semi finals were Ayle Spikers from Tipperary who overcame a very strong Cork side, Innishannon Seals in what was a very close quarter final encounter. Ayle continued their good form in the semi final, overcoming the Wildcats to book a place in the final against Ardfert Blockers. The final was another closely contested match with the outcome going in favour of the Blockers. The Ardfert Blockers won the game 2 sets to 0 and with it the Regional title.
 Transition Year students from Christ the King Secondary School and Glanmire Community College assisted in running the days’ competition and also officiated all the matches. 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.
These finals proved to be another very successful outing for Kerry teams with all three Regional titles going to the county. Overall the day was a great success. We now look forward to the National Finals in March where the teams from the South will be pitched against the best of the East 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
If you would like any further information on the SpikeBall schools programme or any other Volleyball queries contact Ciara Buckley, Development Officer Southern Region at 086 8173990 or south@volleyballireland.com.
Results:
Boys Competition:
Winners: Glenbeigh Warriors, Glenbeigh NS, Co Kerry
Runners–up: The Blue Blazers, Scoil Cholmcille CBS, Blarney St, Cork
Girls Competition:
Winners: Ardfert Smashers, Ardfert NS, Co Kerry
Runners–up: Ayle Koalas, Ayle NS, Monard, Co Tipperary
Mixed Competition:
Winners: Ardfert Blockers, Ardfert NS, Co Kerry
Runners–up: Ayle Spikers, Ayle NS, Monard, Co Tipperary
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