The Dungog High School girls’ volleyball team continued its winning form by winning gold at the first NSW Schools Cup volleyball tournament for the year.
The team finished off last year with gold in the open girls’ competition then backed it up with making the Hunter region final (yet to be played) and then headed to Sydney to take gold once again.
The dedicated girls travel to Newcastle on Tuesday nights to play against open-aged competitors, mostly male.
“The opposition on Tuesday nights is fierce with the men respecting the skill level of the girls by hitting with full power,” team coach Tim Francey, a physical education teacher at Dungog High School, said.
“Two of the girls Hayley Forbes and Breanna Miller, who represented NSW at last year’s under-15 titles, travel to Sydney to play in the Sydney Volleyball League and four are trying out for state.
“This is on the back of eight of the girls, Tabatha Beisler, Hayley and Kate Forbes, Maddisyn Fordham, Breanna Miller, Bailea Smith, Elyse Standing and the 2016 Dungog Shire Junior Sportsperson of the Year Ellie Wallace successfully trialling for the Hunter girls CHS team.
“The girls have demonstrated that with a committed effort and determination you can achieve anything.
“They have achieved remarkable success all the time accepting the referee’s decision unquestionably, respecting their opponents and by supporting their community through assisting Dungog Rotary in a volunteer capacity.
“The volleyball players are supported by an equally dedicated group of family members, who cheer on the girls and occasionally provide some much needed advice to distracted scorers – just to keep them honest.
“The school and the wider community are extremely proud of what the girls are achieving both on the court and off with their volunteer commitments.”
Francey said the team appreciated the support they received from Dungog Rotary and Barrington Bakery who had helped them meet their travelling costs.
“However, the girls are on the hunt for additional sponsors as they will travel to Melbourne in December to contest the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup,” he said.
If there is any business or community group who can offer support, please do not hesitate to contact Tim Francey at Dungog High School on 4999 3302.
