On the 25th of October 2009, the newly formed EUROPWYD Volleyball Club are hosting an exhibition-come-competition series of matches in Youghal GAA Hall featuring the Republic of Ireland Men’s Volleyball Squad, a selection of the best players in Ireland as an All-Stars Team and our own Division 1 team from approximately 11 am to 6pm.

Background

Prior to June 2008 the club was originally founded by Ms. Petra Kopalova in 2006 as a mixed recreational club but over time numbers dwindled and it is quite possible that individuals were unable to make commitment or interest waned.

However, in June of 2008 as 3 individual men; two Polish and one Irish, with an old ball and a makeshift net, we strove onwards to develop into a strong mixed nationality team of 10 male players for National League and a mixed team (male/ female) for the Recreational League in Cork.

This year however, based on a mixture of up to 4 practice nights in 3 venues (Waterford Crystal Sports Centre, Dungarvan Sports Hall & Youghal GAA Club) throughout the winter months of 2008/09 and the subsequent mixing of players a meeting was called and a unanimous decision was reached to amalgamate the 3 clubs; “Made in Europe”, “Dungarvan Ad-hoc Team” & “Youghal International Volleyball Club” into one large club for the SE area. This was seen as a positive step by the Volleyball Assoc of Ireland and the volleyball “fraternity” in general.

See http://www.volleyballireland.com

New Club Formed: “Made in Europe”, “Youghal International Volleyball Club” and a Dungarvan ad-hoc group have joined together as a new club under the name EUROPWYD VC. The club is based around the Youghal & Dungarvan area and is looking to provide Volleyball opportunities to all players within this area. Click on the link to view details on training times and teams available. Club Info»»

We then sought to agree on a new Club Constitution and form a committee (actually an extremely difficult task) and chose the acronym EUROPWYD VC as our club name, effectively identifying with all the members nationalities or local SE Ireland home areas.

In our plan to move forward our objectives were as follows;

• Obtain or construct a Suitable Referees Platform
• New 2nd venue for practice
• At least one of the venues to have a suitable match net for all levels of match (i.e. up to Premier League)
• Coach with suitable qualifications to coach our league players and develop the skills of all members

Now, after much personal and team effort, we have achieved the following:

• New Referees Platform designed and built by Adam & Myles, carpeted and varnished
• 2 registered referees
• 1 Code of Ethics/ Childrens Officer
• Public Liability Insurance
• Training in Cappoquin Community Centre on a Tuesday night with the GES Match Net System as advised by  the VAI.
• Training in Youghal GAA Club on Sunday night
• Coaching

• Indirect sponsorship from “Sign Select”, a printing company based in Waterford to supply and print billboards  and other notices for any sponsors that we may have (to be placed on either side of and around the, playing  court, top band of net and around the referees platform as per FYIB Rules. Also we are looking at magnetic  or other type of easy application and removal signs for displaying on our own private cars, etc. while going to  matches away.
• Alfie Hale Sports in association with Lee Sports Cork and UHL Sports Ireland, sponsoring the new 09/10  season team shirts and shorts with their printing company sponsoring the printing cost of logos.

We have 5 main sponsors and their brand and logo are displayed on our team shirts and at our matches:

* Three.ie – Our main sponsors and logo printed on team shirts
* Alfie Hale Sports in association with Lee Sports Cork and UHL Sports Ireland, sponsoring the new 09/10 season team shirts and shorts with their printing company sponsoring the printing cost of logos
* WLR FM & Green Marine
* Indirect sponsorship from “Sign Select”, a printing company based in Waterford to supply and print billboards and other notices for any sponsors that we may have (to be placed on either side of and around the, playing court, top band of net and around the referees platform as per FYIB Rules.

Also we have magnetic team logo for displaying on our own private cars, etc. while going to matches away.

We were successful last season in achieving 2nd place in Division 2 Mens in the National Volleyball League and both the previous “Made in Europe” and “Youghal International Volleyball Club” claimed the 1st and 2nd place respectively in the Cork Mixed Recreational League.

This season 09/10 we have a male team in Division 1 of the National League and we will be entering the 2010 Association Cup (which was televised by RTE this year) and the 2010 Championship Cup. Also we are striving to have a women’s team to enter the National League but presently do no have enough female members to warrant such an effort (necessary to have a minimum of 8 players) In appreciation of and with due respect for, coupled with our aim to have everybody participate in some form of competition, we aim to have at least one strong mixed team (3 males: 3 females) or two mixed teams, for the 2010 Recreational League in Cork.

We are presently in the process of establishing a junior section within the club with the kind assistance of the VAI Southern Development Officer, Ms. Ciara Buckley. This will provide for qualified trained members to coach young people initially Spikeball, but subsequently progressing to Volleyball. This should be up and running for the month of December.

On the 25th of October we are hosting an exhibition-come-competition series of matches in Youghal GAA Hall featuring the Republic of Ireland Men’s Volleyball Squad, a selection of the best players in Ireland as an All-Stars Team and our own Division 1 team from approximately 11 am to 6pm.

We would like to invite any individuals that participate in the sport of volleyball or that even express an interest in the sport to come along and both enjoy the experience of watching a senior level of playing and the competitive atmosphere in general. For those who may wish to subsequently attend any of our training sessions it will give them the opportunity to speak directly to ourselves and arrange a starting date.

This is our first time seeking that our activities be broadcast on air or through other media and if possible for some representative/ reporter to attend on the day to interview/ cover the “action”. Volleyball, albeit not a nationally recognized sport is still a very competitive game and was more popular prior to the nineties with many local areas having their individual teams.