Following the increase in the number of clubs joining the Malta Volleyball Association in 2009 – six clubs joined that year – the new season was heralded by another four.
The MVA now boasts of 15 member clubs, more than double the six clubs existing in 2008!
The strategy of inclusion through a series of social competitions held in conjunction with the association’s regular competitions has paid off. These social leagues, where groups of volleyball enthusiasts play in mixed teams, prompted the same groups to organise themselves into clubs and to participate in the association’s official competitions.
The seven international competitions organised by the MVA since 2008 (from a total of eight which Malta participated in) has also led to reigniting interest in local volleyball and the momentum seems to have prompted some of the inactive enthusiasts to get involved again and start clubs with new or experienced players.
In fact, for the first time since 2001, the national championship will have first and second divisions for both genders:
The men’s leagues now consist of seven teams fighting it out in a preliminary first round before splitting up into two divisions. Aloysians Defenders, Valletta San Antonio and Sliema, last year’s competitors have now been joined by Attard Tenovar, Mgarr, Iklin and Fleur de Lys.
The ladies league, set in two divisions since last season, is made up of Paola Hibs Candy, Flyers Depiro, PlayVolley Toyota, Fleur de Lys, Southend and Playvolley Galaxy in the First Division and TGIF, Mellieha Tritones, Paola U-18, Flyers Depiro II, B’Kara, Southend II and newcomers Qormi.
The increase in teams has created an unexpected problem for the MVA as it does not have enough space at the Cottonera Sports Complex to play all the scheduled games and it is currently in talks with the KMS to find a suitable solution.
The MVA’s priorities for this season will be on three factors: besides preparing Beach Volleyball teams for the GSSE in Liechtenstein 2011, the MVA will be holding four courses for new coaches, PE teachers, players and newcomers.
These courses should also help the clubs to be able to have new coaches to work within the junior sector, which should set in motion the MVA’s plan to increase the number of young players in the game.
The MVA invites Youth Clubs, Local Councils or schools who wish to start a youth volleyball team to contact the association on [email protected] or on 9947 6773 after 7pm.