As we rapidly approach the start of the new season, many teams are now beginning to focus on preparing for the season which lies ahead. Thoughts turn to getting back into the gym, renewing old acquaintances and dusting of the cobwebs.

But for Su Ragazzi, the sight of the new season rapidly approaching is only a sign that the weeks of pre-season conditioning are coming to an end. Throughout the warm summers nights, the members of Su Ragazzi have been pushing themselves through 3 phases of conditioning, in order that come the first whistle of the new campaign, they are in the best shape possible for what will hope to be a successful season.

While many of the faces seen at the conditioning work are familiar, some new faces have joined the club, and some old faces have even returned. New setter Tomasz Kostek has been finding out what it means to be part of the club and the girls have welcomes Anne Lempers and Alex Dickinson into the squad, while Jonny Herley and Stewart McGrenary have been welcomed back into the club with open arms, returning with a wealth of experience from their travels.

All teams have been back in the gym for almost 10 weeks now and the players were all brimming with anticipation at the first technical sessions last week. But from these first technical sessions it was clear to see the effort that had been put in by the players to improve physically, with some players showing the obvious results in their physical stature.

Saturdays at Coltness returned with additional technical sessions being run. It also saw the first team meeting run by the club, focussing on the development of the club and identifying what the clubs aims and values are. Small discussion groups were formed and chaired by experienced members and the conversations were challenging and thought provoking. How often do we actually stop to consider what we want to achieve and if we are all striving for the same?

The end result of these groups and the teams meetings were that the task was simply too big for the time we had. Many groups found themselves on distant tangents, whilst many were caught up in the little details and not the big picture. But it was great to see the experienced players like Bobby Jackson who were around when the club was formed discuss his passionate views on the club to the inexperienced youngsters who have not had their views influenced by previous ‘greats’ like grubber.

So the club now finds itself ready for the new season, in good physical shape and the technical side coming together. Now the big questions begin to be asked.

Will this be the year Glasgow Ragazzi regain the league title?

Will the Su-ettes rally strongly together and get through another tough season?

And will the platers in the mens 2nd team begin to fulfill their potential?

This is an exciting time to be part of Su Ragazzi Volleyball Club.