“IT’S big, it’s really big.”
For Nivea National Interclub Volleyball Championships president Myron Williams, those words reflect the growing reach of volleyball across Fiji, although he believes the sport is still fighting for the recognition its strong participation base deserves.
With 78 teams representing 12 associations competing at the National Netball Centre, the three-day championships are not only showcasing the depth of talent in the country butv also officially opening Fiji Volleyball’s annual competition calendar.
The tournament, which started yesterday and concludes tomorrow, brings together the top four men’s and women’s club teams from each participating association.
Williams believes the competition is an important starting point for the season, giving clubs an early opportunity to measure their strength against opposition from across the country.
However, he wants the event to achieve much more than producing champions. His ambition is to lift volleyball’s national profile, attract more corporate partners and create greater opportunities for clubs to strengthen their programmes.
“Volleyball is big across Fiji. It hasn’t gotten the recognition that it should in terms of its demographic base, but we’re hoping to take it to that level, build trust with sponsors, bring more partners on board and just elevate the visibility of volleyball in Fiji,” he said.
Encouragingly, the competition is also revealing a more even spread of talent, with clubs outside the traditional powerhouses beginning to make their presence felt.
“Usually we have powerhouses in Suva, Rewa and Nasinu, but what we’re seeing is a consistent level of performance across all clubs and across all associations,” Williams said.
The championships also form an important pathway towards the National Championships, with clubs returning to their respective associations for Central, Western and Northern divisional rallies.
The top eight teams will then qualify for the National Championships.
There is also a $10,000 prize package up for grabs, with cash rewards for teams reaching the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.
Williams said the initiative reflected the organisers’ commitment to reinvesting in the clubs.
“The intention is for them to go back and assist their clubs in developing volleyball,” he said.
Williams. Picture: ALANA ELBOURNE
