Brooke Weston saw success when they hosted and won the School Games Volleyball Competition for Years 9 and 10 successfully qualifying for the Winter Games at Kettering Leisure Village later this month.
Three teams of students played against Lodge Park school with each competition played in two rotating pools until everyone had played each other, up to 15 points per game. The winners of each pool then played for first and second place with the overall winners progressing onto the Winter School Games final.
The girls’ competition was close with teams consistently interchanging as to who was in the lead. They showed real determination, and commitment in getting the ball over the net and a real sense of celebration when they had won a point resulting in coming first, second and third in the competition.
The boys also played some outstanding volleyball and worked as a team for each point by setting, digging and spiking the ball with a consistent success rate. All three Brooke Weston teams played with natural ability and although it was a close competition the boys finished first and second resulting in all of our teams qualifying for the Winter Games.
Alongside the students participating in the tournament, were 15 students who are currently completing their Volleyball England Leadership course. Using freshly learnt knowledge of referring volleyball they officiated and scored each game rotating roles and supporting each other when a decision needed to be made and acted as role models to other students. They officiated confidently asking questions to the organiser if they were unsure.
P.E teacher Ms Jodie Barber said, ‘Volleyball is a sport that all students want to try. It isn’t part of the curriculum in every year group so the majority of students play by transferring the skills they have learnt from other sports. It is always a close competition with volleyball, and to have three teams in both competitions is exciting and shows that Volleyball is growing as a sport at Brooke Weston. To have so many participants along with 15 Volleyball leaders’ officiating the games is a real credit to the students’ enthusiasm to be involved with sport. I wish both teams the best of luck in the Winter Games finals in a few weeks.’