|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary of Tournament 30th May 2004 | |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
||||||
|
Americans Take Over Perth
It was celebration big style around the North Inch on the 29 and 30 May 2004 with the annual Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament celebrating 20 years of top class volleyball in Perth. NewYork College sides X-Patriots arrived in Perth on Thursday evening and true to their inimitable style they were there on the North Inch on that very evening to help the local band of volunteers erect the 30 sets of outdoor nets and posts for the weekend's outdoor competition. Friday evening saw the Americans lead a children's coaching session which was clearly enjoyed by one and all. Friday evening also saw the Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Volleyball Association where outgoing chairman Ian McGowan was replaced by Scottish Volleyball's first ever woman chairperson in Margaret Ann Fleming. Next door at the Inch Restaurant the opening Ceilidh was getting underway with the Americans, Faroe Islanders and Ulstermen all savouring the delights of Scottish traditional dances with stovies to fill their bellies and set them up for some more of the same. Saturday morning was particularly hectic as the remainder of the 135 teams arrived to register their players for the tournament. Indoors the five indoor courts were soon alive with men's and women's division of honour teams battling it out for the honour of claiming the Scottish Open Championship title for 2004. Teams from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and of course U.S.A. were all thrust together in an exciting mix. Outdoors saw a number of teams with "Fair City" involvement competing in various divisions, with the mixed divisions again being the most popular. As luck would have it the Perth weather turned a little damp as just after 10 a.m. the rain began to fall. Conditions became slightly treacherous as players fought to keep their grip on the wet grass. Thankfully the rain stopped and things dried up for surprisingly almost perfect playing conditions with no direct sunlight and no wind. On the fun side the team of inflated Sumo men performed remarkably skilfully despite their massively inflated girths. Full marks again to the team who like to entertain while having a great laugh at themselves. Local interest was certainly to the fore after Saturday's games with Inchy Feet, Dodgy Spikers, Kintronics, Kelty to name but a few qualifying for the latter stages of the tournament on Sunday. Indoors both American men's and women's sides along with City of Glasgow Ragazzi men and Team Falkirk College women qualifying for Sunday's final. Saturday evening saw everyone head to Dewars Rinks for the festivities to continue in the shape of a mammoth disco. Sunday morning saw the sun shine on the competitors for the first time as they assembled for a nine o'clock start. Just after play commenced the committee of volunteers had their own celebration as they cut the 20th birthday cake, washing it down with some bubbly. It was crunch time for all the qualifiers knowing that one defeat could end their chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the tournament. Kintronics were the first team to falter losing out 23-25; 21-25 to Glenfinnan. Next to falter were Kelty, followed by Dodgy Spikers. That left Inchy Feet with the Angus, Hay and Blacklaws families husbands and wives making up the team. They met Forres House in the final of mixed division 2 and came out on top to lift the trophy. Men's division 2 saw Campus Sports reach the final only to lose out to Edinburgh University. Mixed division 3 saw Perth's Rodney's Trotters lose out to the Dodgy Diggers in that final. Other Perth interest saw Roy Munro and his Haughton Volleyball Club from Darlington lose out in the men's division 1 final to Mets Vets. In the Division of Honour finals there was also local interest with ex-Kintronics star Lesley Blyth lining up as libero player for Team Falkirk College against X-Patriots. In the first set English International player Mel Coutts and promising Scottish youngster Shona Mullen pounded point after point but the Americans were not to be outdone and a very close first set ended with Team Falkirk College 25-23 ahead. The second set saw a complete reversal with the X-Patriots dominating play to level things with a 25-12 score. The third set saw the early scores going point for point but it was the Americans who finished the stronger (15-10) to retain their Scottish Open title they won last year. Next it was the Men's Division of Honour Final and City of Glasgow Ragazzi lined up against X-Patriots Men. The first set saw the Americans edge out their Scottish counterparts 25-17. The second set was a demonstration of power volleyball with both sides out to outgun the other. Level at 25 points each the score progressed to 28 points each. It was Ragazzi who scored the two vital points to level the game at one set each. The third and final set commenced and the Patriots took an early lead only for Ragazzi to peg back but this time the Americans took the vital two last points to win 15-13 and make it a double celebration for them. All in all a very successful tournament with much credit to the organising committee who again provided a wonderful spectacle for the people of Perth and the volleyball fraternity. Thanks are also due to a small select band who support the tournament by sponsorship deals: Ramada Jarvis Hotels, Scottish Hydro, Strathmore Water and B&Q. With their support the Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament continues to thrive.
D. G. Munro | Summary of 2002 | Summary of 2003 | Summary of 2004 | Summary of 2005 | Summary of 2006 | Summary of 2008 |
Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament. The largest Volleyball event in the UK now reaching its 21st year at Bell's Sports Centre, Perth, Scotland. Perth will again plays host to the Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament, the largest volleyball event of its kind in the UK. Over one thousand competitors usually take part on over 30 outdoor courts on Perth’s North Inch and compete over the Saturday and Sunday for prizes in the mixed division, recreational and the national team leagues. The top national league teams play on the five indoor courts in Bells Sport Centre with the finals taking place on a Sunday. The standard of play is always excellent, entry is free and there is seating for spectators. Saturday - Sunday - 130 teams plus. The open is grouped into divisions ranging from top national league players to beginners, youth groups, and those playing only for recreation. The Division of Honour tournament took place in the five indoor courts at Bell's Sports Centre. Teams come from all over the country including England, Ireland, Wales and a regular lot from the Faroes. Teams that played in the past have come from America, Russia, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Radio Hello volleyballers. E-mail: info@sovt.info With over 40 courts available on Perth's North Inch plus ample space for car parking and camping, the setting is ideal for promoting *F.I.V.B.’s "park volleyball" concept, facilitating the coming together of a totally unique volleyball experience in Scotland. Volleyball can be enjoyable from the pure fun level right up to the highest degree of skill and fitness and reflecting this the open is grouped into divisions ranging from top national league players to beginners, youth groups, and those playing only for recreation. The **Division of Honour tournament takes place in the five indoor courts at Bell's Sports Centre with players and spectators alike appreciating the high roof of the domed structure which allows the game to be shown at its best. The outdoor courts will be busy with the usual record numbers of entries which includes mixed sex teams and a few in fancy dress, a practice that has never diminished or diluted one bit the level of competitiveness on display. Both men's and women's divisions are played in accordance with F.I.V.B. rules. On the social side of things there is the ***Ceilidh taking place on the Friday with kilts and bagpipes as well as a range of fun dances which is sure to get everyone on the dance floor. On Saturday the Fireworks Disco lights up the arena with the usual bank of speakers to create a carnival of light and sound. Two days of volleyball and two nights of partying. Why not begin a holiday in Scotland enjoying a weekend of volleyball and socialising with the natives. Volleyball is easy to learn, easy to play and even with just a set of old trainers, scabby shorts and a T shirt you're on the court. A team consists of six with liberal use of substitutes and a game based on sets of three or five, each of 15 points. The scoring being similar to badminton, the objective being to score by volleying the ball over the net - eight feet high for men and seven feet six inches for women - to land somewhere on the opposing court. Setters and hitters are out to thwart your careful volley. The setters are the 'midfield men' of volleyball and control the initial play. They can play the ball only twice to set it up for the hitter who has to belt it over the net, leaping on high to 'spike' it, slapping it over the net, at speed, where the opposing side hopes to repeat the process and so on until the ball hits the ground. It's an enjoyable and fast game. HISTORY ENTRY RULES BACKGROUND INFO. INCH THE NORTH INCH. The confrontation took place in 1396 and was to be a spectator sport with the king and nobles to the front. The opposing parties fronted up and it was discovered that one side was a man short. The opposing side to a man, in honour, refused to drop a team member. So for a handsome fee a local Perth man was drafted in to make up the difference. The battle proceeded at great fury clash after clash with the Perth man, a stout strong blacksmith to trade, giving an exceedingly good account of himself until in the final round the blacksmith and nineteen others in various state of repair were arrayed against only one. That singular competitor took to the freezing River Tay and it is not recorded whether he made it or not. In competitive terms in relation to Scots and Clans the ongoing feud in question above was over which of the two parties was entitled to the place of honour (right flank) in whatever battle that might be going on at whatever time. They were both on the same side (normally). *F.I.V.B. International Federation of Volleyball. **The Divisions of Honour are for top National league teams. Both men's and women's divisions are played in accordance with F.I.V.B. rules. Entries to this part of the competition are assessed by the Scottish Volleyball Association Referees' Commission and for this purpose all entries should be accompanied by team lists identifying the players with their honours where appropriate. ***A Ceilidh is a hospitable Scottish evening of traditional drink, food, music and dance. Dancing Scottish dances can get you fit enough to tackle an army assault course and on the floor training is available from many willing helpers.
| Summary of 2002 | Summary of 2003 | Summary of 2004 | Summary of 2005 | Summary of 2006 | Summary of 2008 | |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
