Volleyball

TUESDAY NIGHT IS VOLLEYBALL NIGHT

VolleyballGoogle maps iconThis plaque is located on the Circuite de Savage walking track, between McKenzie and Dover sts.

When volleyball started in Cobden in 1978, nobody thought it would still be going strongly well into the 21st century. Not seen as a mainstream sport, it has catered for both males and females of all ages with wonderful sporting talent and, equally, for people with very little ability.

The association, begun by Paul Bachelor, Alan Pell and Kelvin White, has been both traditional and innovative in its approach. Many former and current players will remember finals that sometimes went to midnight as well as . . .

  • The rivalry between inter-town teams from Camperdown, Simpson, Terang, Boorcan, Ecklin, Scotts Creek, Port Campbell and Timboon and, of course, Cobden. But we don’t play for sheep stations!
  • The white line fever that would sometimes boil over and stretch reasonably solid friendships– usually around finals time. But we still don’t play for sheep stations!
  • The power of Alan Pell, Phil Wood, “Banger” Pouw, Trevor Cotton, John Rix, Jess Greagen, “Dasher” Reed and Pete Duynhoven; the more subtle skills of Robert Rix, David Hallyburton and Thomas Rantall; the longevity of Dallas Petrie, Mark Rantall, Barry Coad, Brendan Crameri and Gary Oates; the development of young guns like Peter Woodcock, Stuart Harrison, Sam Rix, Brendan Drewry, George McMeel and Troy Logan; and the gamesmanship of too many to mention. Yes, we do play for sheep stations but only in finals.
  • Pelly and Whitey taking teams of young guns to Warrnambool in the 1980s and making division 1 finals.
  • A combined Cobden volleyball team beating all-comers in the Glenelg Games. The team included Phil Wood, Trevor Clarke, Trevor Cotton, Mark Rantall, Gary Oates, Anthony Reed and Kelvin White.
  • The Chris Brooks-inspired awards that often bear no relevance to volleyball ability but are accepted as proudly as a premiership medallion. Mark Roberts won a Most Eligible Bachelor Award, Russell Smith was a perennial nomination for the Sexiest Player Award and, despite their famous training sessions, NOBTs consistently took out the This Team is Crap Award.
  • The impact of our ‘international’ teams comprising players from countries like Uzbekistan, Ukraine and The Philippines. Led by manager Chris Vogels, the sublime skills of Elvin, Alvin, Dima, Joel, Filimon, Rodel, Jolo and company have lit up the Big Gym many times.
  • Team names like Killer Babes, Crownies, Boofheads, Southern Guns, Poachers, Frothies, Dire Straits, Monarchs, Young Ones, Tigers, CANS, Cougars, Technicians and Chris Brooks’ Slugs will go down in folklore.

Tuesday night is dig, set and spike night at the Recreation Centre in Cobden. The association is always looking for new players – absolute rookies or more experienced types – so drop in anytime. Our aim is to create a friendly sporting environment where competitive edge is not the highest priority . . . until finals time!