The competition phase
The YS Men’s programme has been working away quietly in the background in preparation for the next SCD European Championships. In our first entry in 2012, the programme had a mere four months to be ready…..this time we have had a very industrious Winter schedule, and May 2013 sees the arrival of the competition phase.
There are two events planned for May – Saturday 11th there was a five team tournament held in Wishaw Sports Centre. The participants were two teams from the YS Programme (Scotland Blue and White), teams from Su Ragazzi and Jets Volleyball Clubs, and the willing travellers from Orkney Volleyball Club
The schedule for the day was a brutal round-robin where all of the teams played each other, then a final, and a 3rd- 4th play-off. Five matches in one day…..super tough! The intention was to place our young players under as much pressure as possible, so they had to ‘dig deep’ and learn to focus under pressure. They did. In the tournament final Scotland Blue narrowly lost out to event winners Su Ragazzi, while in the 3rd-4th play-off Scotland White lost a nail biting third set 17-19 to Jets. A good day all round, made even better by the support offered by match officials Grant McIntyre and Laura McReady
Competition event number 2 is on Saturday 18th May. It’s a three team mini-tournament, which will be supported by Glasgow Mets, and South Ayrshire Volleyball Clubs. The support of the top division clubs in the YS programme is greatly appreciated. The event will be held at Coltness High School in Wishaw, and it would be good if you were able to come along and encourage the players. The Scotland team selected for the event is;
Scotland Team
| Position | Name | Club |
| Setters | Marc McLaughlin | Su Ragazzi VC |
| Matthew Agius | City of Edinburgh VC | |
| Off Setters | Regan Kidd | South Ayrshire VC |
| Connal Tennant | City of Edinburgh VC | |
| Middle Blockers | Ross McKelvie | South Ayrshire VC |
| Fergus Sutherland | NUVOC | |
| Euan Gibson | City of Edinburgh VC | |
| Swing Hitters | Scott Wilson (Captain) | South Ayrshire VC |
| Jordan Scott | Su Ragazzi VC | |
| Power Hitters | Conor Walker | Su Ragazzi VC |
| Chris McHardy | City of Edinburgh VC | |
| Libero | Stuart McKenzie | Su Ragazzi VC |
| Coaches | Thomas Dowens | Head Coach |
| Simon Coleman | Assistant Coach | |
| Liam Fleming | South Ayrshire VC |
The schedule for the day is listed below, you will be most welcome if you come along to see one match, or stay for the duration.
On a final note I would like to acknowledge the contribution made to the success of the programme by the parents who travel endless miles to ferry the players to the practice gyms, and match venues. Your support is very much appreciated.
Thomas.
Thomas Dowens
Head Coach Men’s YS Programme
Match Information
| Match | FBS | Teams | Officials |
| 1 | 10.15 | Scotland v South Ayrshire | Mets |
| 2 | 12.00 | South Ayrshire v Glasgow Mets | Scotland |
| 3 | 13.30 | Scotland v Glasgow Mets | South |