Volleyball Victoria has endorsed the promotion of the Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association women’s team to the Victorian Volleyball State League Premier Division for the 2016 season.
The LVVA submitted an expression of interest for advancement to the elite level based on a number of factors including a strong junior development program.
Women’s coach Glenn Trembath said he was excited about the prospect after being extremely competitive in the VVL Reserves division in 2015 and working through the lower divisions in previous seasons.
“With a substantial number of promising athletes we have a strong core of elite junior talent that will be rigorously tested at this level of competition,” Trembath said.
LVVA currently boasts the largest representation of female junior athletes at state level, with eight of the 30 athletes who represented Victoria in the 2015 National Indoor titles residing in the catchment area of the Latrobe Valley, Maffra and Lakes Entrance.
“If we (LV Volleyball) had not applied to enter the Premier Division we would have run the risk of losing more players to other clubs,” Trembath said.
“It is hoped that by retaining these athletes and training them in our region we can develop their ability while enabling them to play with their own team at the highest level.”
With the player transfer period now open there is optimistic hopes of luring current Eastside Hawks team members Steph Paull and Phoebe Trembath back home from Melbourne.
Latrobe Valley will also look to recruit a high profile, senior player to assist with the transition to Premier Division and to add balance to the young side with a blend of experience.
The Victorian Volleyball State League season kicks off on 2 April with Latrobe Valley likely to field four teams in the women’s premier, women’s reserves, men’s reserves and division 3 men.
The timing of the elevation to the Premier Division of the Victorian Volleyball League also coincides with the 50th anniversary year of Latrobe Valley Volleyball and the hosting of the 2016 Victorian Country Volleyball Championships on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.
