They came from all over, almost like a religious calling, to Perth’s North Inch over the weekend to savour what has become the most popular event in Scottish Volleyball’s calendar – the now famous Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament – and it didn’t disappoint.
Now in its fortieth year, the reputation of this classic Perth volleyball event was certainly enhanced by the overall organisation, and helped by the weather too, with most of the weekend’s rainfall occurring during both Friday and Saturday nights.
The stunning sight of 42 yellow netted volleyball courts spread over the green grass of the North Inch was a spectacle in itself, but once these courts were filled with weird and wonderful costumes and specially prepared team uniforms or not, there was a real buzz about as play commenced on the Saturday morning at 09:30. A record 151 teams entered the 40th anniversary tournament, further reinforcing the love that the volleyball fraternity has for this annual Perth event.
Tournament regulars included the Belgian men’s team from Overpelt and the two Faroe Islands’ women’s teams, and many others from around the UK who mark the date on their calendars for the following year, as well as booking their travel and accommodation immediately after the tournament concludes.
Local teams were very much to the fore, spread across the seven different levels of competition, which caters for all ages and abilities, with the usual array of strange and outlandish team names specifically tailored to the light-heartedness of the weekend. For many, it was a “homecoming” weekend, meeting up with the many others who have made the annual pilgrimage to Perth a priority year on year.
The Kinross High School team were pleasantly surprised to find out that their opening match in mixed division three on Saturday morning paired them with a Glasgow team which featured their maths teacher. Out of all the 42 teams entering this division, how surreal to pair these two teams out of so many possible options.
The competition is split into two separate categories on Sunday, with the qualifying teams competing for the seven specially designed Perth Trophy Shop 40th anniversary glass trophies, the remainder competing for the “best of the rest” consolation category.
With so large numbers of games being played, it was no surprise that by 6 pm on the Sunday, there were still 4 trophies to be decided. Still, by 7:30 pm, everything was rounded off in what many described as their “best” Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament. However, very many were asking the question as to why Bell’s Sports Centre was still closed when it provided all that was needed in terms of showers, changing and toilets as well as administration space within the iconic dome, now lying dormant and looking depressed through continuing indecision about its future!
Final Results:
Women’s Division 1 winners: She Wolves, Consolation winners: Glasgow Ladies.
Men’s Division 1 Winners: Porky & The Playboys, Consolation Winners: Veni, Vidi, Volley
Men’s Division 2 Winners: Diggers’ Delight, Consolation Winners: Thunder & Friends
Men’s Division 3 Winners: Loons Fae Anchor, Consolation Winners: Dig Me Down
Mixed Division 1 Winners: We Dig Balls, Runners up: KZ Latvia
Mixed Division 2 Winners: Cut it Out, Consolation Winners: Touch Grass
Mixed Division 3 Winners: Smash Bros, Consolation Winners: Carlisle Catapults