Hands up if you’re taking to the court? Volleyball ACT Autumn season is about to start with divisions for players of all ages and skill levels. Photo: Roy Meuronen.
Roy Meuronen might be a competitive guy, but in one upcoming sporting pursuit, he will be among a “very mixed bag” of players – some there to give him a run for his money, others there to socialise, stay active or simply have fun.
Volleyball ACT’s Autumn season ‘kicks off’ on Monday, 8 April, with multiple divisions for players of all ages and skill levels ranging from beginner to experienced.
“It’s a lot of fun in an inclusive atmosphere,” Roy says.
“Volleyball is, by definition, a non-contact sport, with a net separating teams. But beyond that, there’s a great deal of camaraderie, and I’ve made lifelong friends out of the sport.”
For the past 20 years, Roy, a Volleyball ACT life member who has been involved with the sport since the early 80s, has played at the State League level (the top local level) at ANU. He plays for the Division 1 team of the men’s Open League competition.
Open League is Volleyball ACT’s major open competition. It is considered a league for everyone, from work teams to school teams and even just groups of friends. While club teams are welcome, this is the highest-level league a volleyballer can play in without being in a club.
Open League provides players with competitive and social volleyball experience, but Roy says it’s not all work and no play, even at this competitive level.
“We might play hard, and we’re very competitive, but it’s always really friendly between teams,” he says.
“You could describe our team as a retirement plan for ex-players, but almost all of us used to play at the State League level … The Open League has given us a more relaxed, casual, non-training environment in which we can still play competitively.”
Volleyball ACT’s Recreational Indoor competitions are for all players who want to participate in a fun, friendly, and social competition.
Roy, who often plays in the Recreational League with his wife and friends, says these mixed-gender competitions are designed to meet your exercise and team competition needs at a fun and recreational level.
“My wife used to play back in the day, but this game is all for fun,” he says.
“It’s a great excuse on a Thursday to have fun, catch up with friends, stay active and maybe have a few drinks after.”
Men’s games take place on Monday nights, women’s games on Tuesdays, and mixed recreational games on Thursdays. People can join in a club team, or enter their own teams – a popular option for businesses looking to put together a sporting team.
According to Roy, volleyball is an ideal sport for team building and collaboration.
“Volleyball isn’t the kind of sport that caters to the individual athlete. It doesn’t matter if you have one guy who is a gun – if you don’t have a solid team and teamwork, you don’t have success,” he says.
“It’s a skill-based sport, yes, but there isn’t a lot of running around. We probably couldn’t run around for 90 minutes straight as you would in a soccer match. You’re on a 9 x 9 court and there are six of you covering that space, so volleyball can cater to a wide spectrum of athleticism and fitness.”
Volleyball ACT’s autumn season starts Monday, 8 April, and runs until late June. The spring season starts Monday, 22 July, and runs until early October. For more information, visit Volleyball ACT.
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