Local game on the rise as new teams join MVA
Inclusion strategy pays off
Following the increase in the number of club members joining the Malta Volleyball Association (MVA – mva@maltanet.net) in 2009, when six new teams played in the national competitions, the 2010-11 season was heralded with another four outfits registering with the association.
The MVA now boasts 15 member clubs, more than double the six that existed in 2008.
The strategy of inclusion, through a series of social competitions held in conjunction with the association’s regular competitions, has paid off. These social leagues, where groups of volleyball enthusiasts play in mixed teams, prompted the same individuals to organise themselves into clubs and participate in official events.
The seven international competitions organised by the MVA since 2008 (from a total of eight which the country has taken part in) has also helped to re-ignite interest in the local game. The momentum seems to have prompted some of the inactive volleyball enthusiasts to get in-volved again and form teams that include new or experienced players.
In fact, for the first time since 2001, the National Championship will have First and Second Division categories in both men and women.
The men’s leagues will be contested by seven teams, all fighting it out in a preliminary round before the split in the two divisions. Aloysians Defenders, Valletta San Antonio and Sliema, the teams from the previous season, have now been joined by Attard Tenovar, Mġarr, Iklin and Fleur-de-Lys.
The women’s Division One league will include the following teams: Paola Hibs Candy, Flyers Depiro, PlayVolley Toyota, Fleur-de-Lys, Southend and Playvolley Galaxy. TGIF, Mellieħa Tritones, Paola U-18, Flyers Depiro II, Birkirkara, Southend II and newcomers Qormi play in Division Two.
The increase in teams brought about an unexpected problem for the league organisers as they cannot cater for all matches to be played at the Cottonera Sports Complex. MVA officials are currently engaged in talks with the Kunsill Malti għall-Isport to help find a suitable solution.
The MVA’s priorities this season are threefold.
Besides preparing beachvolley teams for the 2011 GSSE in Liechtenstein, the MVA will be holding courses for new coaches for local clubs to employ qualified personnel in their junior sectors. This initiative should set in motion the association’s plan to increase the number of new and young players in the game.
One may obtain more details on MVA activities by phoning 9947-6773 after 7 p.m.