Volleyball starlets heading to Largs for training camp
Three girls have been selected to represent Shetland at a four-day Scottish junior national volleyball development camp in the second week of the easter holidays.
Heading to the Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs are Louise Birnie and Ava Sim of the T Rowley Juniors and Becky Peterson of Sandwick. It will be their first taste of training at a national level and they are very excited at the prospect.
Shetland Islands Volleyball Association chairman Ben Laurenson said: “This is a wonderful boost for the association and is a fantastic reward for the junior training that has been taking place over the last few years. There are now many youngsters taking part in the game in the isles with most of them competing in the local leagues.
“During the camp the girls will receive training on all aspects of the game and will be tutored by some of Scottish Volleyball Association (SVA) top coaches. It is hoped that this could be a springboard for our young athletes that may lead to them attending further events on the Junior National Programme.”
Laurenson, accompanied by Mike Bradley and Davie Leslie, will attend a level 3 coaching course run alongside the camp, which should see them achieve their third coaching qualification in the last 18 months. The first came in October 2007 with the arrival in Shetland of SVA director of coaching Thomas Dowens, who was then the national team head coach.
Laurenson said: “He was like an earthquake that literally shook our perceptions of the game to their very foundations.”
Since then the three have had a thirst for more coaching knowledge and they attended the level 2 course at the Easter School in Largs last year.
The forthcoming trip will be funded by SIVA and grant assistance from the SIC’s sports development unit. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the girls they should contact association treasurer Ruth Christie at hoodiehoodie@hotmail.com or by phone on (01950) 422284.
