‘Tri-State Challenge’ in Mildura on October 26-28
Posted by devo on October 1, 2007
Why couldn’t Volleyball Australia do this? A little association in Mildura has!
Mildura Grand 2007 Tri State ChampionshipsÂ
When Melbourne Falcons decided that it was just too expensive to play AVL this year, they decided that they would play in a tournament in Korea. It was a lot cheaper; the guys would get an over seas trip. They began to organise their team, and work out some practice tournaments.
That is where Mildura put their hand up and showed what can be organised. Mildura thought of getting the Tri Games going and having a 3 way tournament. The three teams that have won the AVL previously were invited and have accepted: Melbourne Falcons, AIS, Mt Lofty. Now that is a tournament that would be worth going to see!
- Mildura are paying for EVERYTHING - the teams just have to get there!
- Mildura have organised $10,000 in sponsorship
- Mildura have been brave enough to buy media - they are promoting it heavily. Live radio crosses to games. Newspaper and TV promotion assured for all teams and the tournament
- Mildura want to run it well and are thinking of hosting a national tournament next year. If all goes well they believe their sponsors will go again next year!
- Mildura will be organising clinics for all teams to promote volleyball in the Mildura area.
These guys have done a great job. Just shows what a little country organisation can do. (And that’s not Devo bias!) The tournament will present top volleyball because they have taken a professional approach. They had no trouble attracting the top teams. Why? It is the first tournament I can think of in Australia where the organisers are paying for the teams. Clubs need this set up to keep elite players playing at the domestic level.
This is the model that should be used to get AVL up and going again. Unfortunately, the AVF will probably want complete control, but using people power to set up several weekends like this one is the way to go. Keen people - starved of high level volleyball in their geographic vicinity - can be a powerful force!
Well done Mildura.
Mildura Grand 2007 Tri State Championships
Featuring the last 3 sides to win the National Championships!
Falcons, Mt. Lofty and AIS
Friday
6:30pm Introduction of players AIS V Adel
6:40pm Warm up AIS V Adel
7:00pm Match Time AIS V Adel
9:15pm Social Night at Quality Hotel Mildura Grand. Meet and greet all players, V.I.P’s (The Mayor, Councillors, sponsor and SVI committee), finger food for all.
Saturday
7:00 - 9:00am Hot Buffet Breakfast at Quality Hotel Mildura Grand
9:00am Clinic with Spike Zone players & SVI Academy Athlete (under 13) - AIS
10:40am Warm up Adel V Melb
11:00am Match Time Adel V Melb
1:00pm Lunch at the staduim
2:30 pm Clinic with Academy Athletes (14 to 17 years old) - Adel
5:30pm Academy teams playing each other as Curtin Raiser
6:50pm Warm up Melb V AIS
7:10pm Match Time Melb V AIS
9:30pm Dinner & Social Function at Stadium function room - Melb, AIS, Adel & SVI Members
Sunday
7:00am to 9:00am Hot Buffet Breakfast at Quality Hotel Mildura Grand All teams
9:00am
- Scrimmage between all bench players
- Scrimmage AIS vs Korea team - AIS vs Melb & Adel
12:30pm BBQ Lunch
1:30pm Melb, AIS & Adel depart Mildura
October 1, 2007 at 8:45 am
I know the boys are looking forward to going to Mildura Devo, the boys are pumped as it will be an awesome warm up for Korea, Mildura Volleyball have done a great job! I concur with what you say Devo, a small organisation can come up with something great, but the National body can’t, unbelievable!
October 1, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Congratulations Mildura. Great job.
Would you like to organise a national league for clubs next year?
October 1, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Anyone remember the Spike Fest AVL week end that happened in Nowra NSW two AVl seasons ago and how well that went. Good to see that organisations like Nowra and Mildura can do more than the national federation can do. I remember the publicity, crowds and tshirts that we got from that week end and how easy it was to organise. good work guys and if you are looking to organise anymore tournaments i recommend that you contact shoalhaven volleyball association
October 1, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Perhaps they are on to something here. Lets face it, volleyball in the cities can be “swallowed up” by the more parochial sports, but put the sport at a high level in a smaller town and there would be a lot more interest. If the volleyball team is the only sports team representing the town on a national level, it would be more attractive to sponsors, there more interest locally…they might even start filling a few smaller stadiums.
Great job Mildura- hopefully this may serve as an example of what is possible with a little organisation, initiative and passion.
October 9, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Mt Lofty Volleyball Club are thrilled to be invited to take part in this inaugural tournament. The guys are working hard and really looking forward to the weekend. Fantastic that Mildura, its community, its juniors, its sponsors etc have all rallied to put this tournament on - thankyou all very much. The crowd will be great to play in front of, and its great that our lesser profile sport (unfortunately!) can be taken to a regional centre and have what some cities are unable to provide, and be recognised for the great sport and spectacle that volleyball is. Great precursor to the future. Go Mildura!