Samoa Olympic Qualifying Diary

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Warren Smith, Game Development Manager's Diary updates are below.

Bulletin 3 from Technical Director Richard Casutt here.

Thursday 25th May 2011
And reality hits! This morning the team left the hotel for the first game at 9:40am. Everyone was ready and primed to get down to business. However, it became apparent very quickly that New Zealand was far ahead in terms of the ability to play the game. As a consequence, the scores were an indication of the gulf between the teams.
Women
Hannah Croad/Micah Lindsay-Brown (NZL1) vs. Tonga 2 (21:3, 21:4)
Debbie Soakai/Melissa Ruru (NZL2) vs. Tonga 1 (21:2, 21:3)
Hannah Croad/Micah Lindsay-Brown (NZL1) vs. Tonga 1 (21:3, 21:1)
Debbie Soakai/Melissa Ruru (NZL2) (21:0, 21:1)

Men
Kirk Pitman/Jason Lochhead (NZL1) vs. Tonga 2 (21:9, 21:6)
Sam O’Dea/Ben O’Dea (NZL2) vs. Tonga 1 (21:10, 21:4)
Kirk Pitman/Jason Lochhead (NZL1) vs. Tonga 1 (21:10, 21:4)
Sam O’Dea/Ben O’Dea (NZL2) (21:7, 21:6)

Friday 26th May 2011
Today’s volleyball began in beautiful conditions. Not too hot so all the plans around heat management were not needed over the two days of competition, which has been a great outcome. Because of the midday start the morning was spent taking the last opportunity to see some of the local sights. The Women’s group headed to the Turtle pond and were able to feed these beautiful animals by hand. The Men’s group went to the Upolu Marine Reserve for a snorkel.
Again Debra Gibbs brought our lunches to the courts and we were able to say our thanks before she headed off for a bit of a holiday herself. Our many thanks go to her for her support and advice over the duration of the tour. Today’s games were a little harder with the Samoan teams bringing a good competitive spirit to the event and the scores, and although very much in favour of the New Zealand teams, it was a better competitive day for our athletes. In the end all NZ teams won their games 2-0 and thus we finish the tournament as the top qualifiers for the next round in February 2012 from our zone. The first steps on the journey to the Olympics have been successfully taken.
 

To finish the day the Samoan Federation continued to be very gracious hosts. The prizes (traditional ceremonial artifacts) the teams received were absolutely beautiful. And the last act of the tournament was a meal, a well deserved beer and a bit of a disco. As a team we were overwhelmed with the hospitality we received particularly when every one of the Tongan and Samoan competitors came and personally said their goodbyes. And then of course the 2am flight home!

On a personal note, I would like to thank the team for being fantastic ambassadors and role models at this event. Every one of the team worked hard to ensure that all the right things happened whilst in preparation for the event. Our competitors were extremely impressed with us as a team, and I can only highly commend the professional attitude that each team member brought to the occasion. So from me, thanks for being proud representatives of volleyball in New Zealand. It was a real pleasure.

As a final note, Kirk Pitman and Jason Lochhead are now on their way to the 2011 Beach World Champs in Rome, Italy. We wish them all the very best for the event. GO BOYS!!! Also representing New Zealand at the World Champs is Richard Casutt who will be attending as one of the senior referees for the event. Safe travels boys !!!