Su Ragazzi VC has always understood that the end of one season is the best time to start the preparations for the next one.  For sure players are tired, and probably need a break, but at the same time they are ‘clued in’ to development potentials, and very much in the right frame of mind to make progress.  This is the post season programme time.   
 
This year we made a decision to have a very substantial post season programme.  One which featured practice sessions, a range of development themes, a series of one day tournaments, referee development clinics, and work on improving our match scorers and line judging.  That’s a lot!  The SVA helped by providing a Club Development grant which helps with the hall hire charges.  The Refs Commission is also helping by running a grade 3 course at the third of our tournaments.  Saturday 2nd May was the first of the tournaments, and it was great fun!

First of all a great big thank you to Dundee Volleyball Club for participating in today’s event, and joining in with the fun.  For a very long time our two Clubs have had a strong bond, a sharing of enthusiasm for the process of playing good volleyball and developing excellence.  Today the development featured young players getting better, and older players relishing the opportunity to compete with a smile.  It worked.

The tournament was a three team round robin.  Su Ragazzi fielded two teams, and the Dundee boys completed the roster. 

The matches were all three sets regardless of the score.  John Scrimgeour coached the Dundee boys, the Su Ragazzi players had personal targets for the day – they then coached themselves. 

Tournaments are great.  They teach players how to play the game, how to learn from their mistakes and how to develop proficiency.  There used to be a very substantial tournament programme as part of the regular SVA calendar.  Many Clubs staged events, both pre and post season – it is regrettable that this no longer happens……I wonder why that is?  

Today the atmosphere in the gym was full of smiles, while the court space was full of endeavour. 

The players were focussed and competitive, while realising the highest levels of performance were perhaps not achievable.  There was a shared intent, and a shared belief in the value of participating.  Points were won and the banter between the players crossed the net with ease.  Points were lost, and hand-claps helped refocus attention.

Meanwhile the primary focus for the hosts was being met.  Umair Ansar is just a young player.  He has made fantastic progress this season, and is being groomed for a more substantial role next season.  Today he played six sets without interruption. He played them well, he accepted feedback from his spikers, and adjusted his setting accordingly.   Bob Reid and Alasdair King are young middle blockers.  They don’t have a great deal of experience, and today they played six sets.  The match up between them was fascinating.  Their contribution to the proceedings was both substantial and excellent, and we will all win because of their progress.  Meanwhile Christophe has been there - done it- bought the T shirt, and he was still passionate about every ball that was missed.  The mixture of talent, potential, and experience speaks volumes for the future development of the club, and promises great things for the future.

Su Ragazzi has a proud tradition.  We regularly look back to the successes of the past and celebrate the value of our history.  That’s as it should be.  But today was all about investment in the future, in recognising the promise of moving forward, and that’s also exactly as it should be.  Today’s event was supported by today’s players, and by today’s people.  It was supported by Jen Downs and  Ross McLennan who have just joined the Su Ragazzi family.  It was supported by Bob Jackson who has been part of the Su Ragazzi picture since the very beginning. It was also supported by the stalwarts from Dundee VC – the past, the present and the future represented in a  single event – that can’t be bad!

Su Ragazzi I were successful in winning the event (that was Umair’s team).  Dundee won sets from both of the home sides.  Jim Houston won the prize for the best shot of the day – a stunning block on power hitter Ali Galloway - and everyone who attended benefited.  A good day.  A successful day.  A day full of the best that competitive Club sport has to offer.  I was privileged to be a  part of the picture.  

Next week the tournament moves to Sunday, and features the Fabulous Suettes.  If you are interested in adding to the proceedings the event will be at Coltness on Sunday 10th – FBS in match 1 will be 12.00 - and the home side will be supported by South Ayrshire VC and North Lanarkshire VC….I can’t wait.

Well done to all, and thanks for a great day!

Thomas

PS – Umair was excellent!

PPS – thanks to Mike McConville and Jen Downs for the great pictures.