Thousands of young volleyball players and their supporters have filled Palmerston North for the annual New Zealand volleyball championships bringing with them economic benefits to the city.

The tournament, one of the bigger schools sports competitions in the country, began on Monday with more than 160 teams from 118 schools all over New Zealand competing this week.

The Arena has been packed with players, coaches, managers and supporters.

Volleyball Manawatū development manager Natalya Taylor said there were 19 courts being used at the Arena and two at Massey University to handle the huge event, which has 168 teams and 2400 players. 

Central Economic Development Agency chief executive Jerry Shearman said schools tournaments of this calibre were of huge importance to the region.

“The tournament is high on the list of events bringing economic benefits to the region. It was worth more than $1.8 million back in 2017.

Click here for the full story (stuff.co.nz/Manawatu Standard)

New Zealand’s volleyball community will descend on Palmerston North later this week for the 53^rd New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships held at Central Energy Trust Arena/Massey University Teaching Gym from March 27-31.

 In what is one of the biggest school sports events in the country, over 160 teams are registered across the boys and girls competitions from 118 schools from around New Zealand. 

The teams are split across six divisions of girls competition and five divisions in the boys grade.

Volleyball New Zealand CEO Toni-Maree Carnie says that Central Energy Trust Arena and Massey University venues will be buzzing with activity.

“With Covid-19 interruptions impacting participation for our rangatahi more than any other group, we’re really excited to be able to deliver the 2023 New Zealand Secondary Schools event this week,” Carnie said.

“This event is a cornerstone fixture on our calendar and it’s been noticeable at our other events which have come back after Covid-19 that there is a real feeling of excitement and energy to be back on court. We’re expecting the same again in Palmerston North and we can’t wait to get underway.”

Volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in New Zealand and the event will be broadcast via Whakaata Maori with multiple courts shown via livestream over the course of the week of competition. Full details will follow before the tournament begins.

The event is delivered in partnership with tremendous support from Volleyball Manawatu, Sport Manawatu, Palmerston North City Council and Central Energy Trust Arena.

Palmy Venues Manager John Lynch, who manages Central Energy Trust Arena, says it is great to have the Volleyball Championships back without restrictions in place.

“The New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships is an action-packed tournament that is highly regarded by the venue and by the City and is an exciting and fantastic competition.

“Having so many out-of-town athletes and visitors to the City for the week brings significant economic benefit to the City but also so much vibrancy with everyone engaging with our local community and what the City has to offer.”

Apparel is available for purchase onsite at CET Arena and a number of competitions and social media promotions will run during the event working with event partners Caltex, Bayleys and NZ Carbon Farming.

For all the details for the event, visit the online home of the 53^rd New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships here. 

Following consultation with North and South Island Satellite tournament deliverers – North Harbour Volleyball and Canterbury Volleyball – Volleyball NZ (VNZ) can provide the following update to schools and Regional Associations regarding the status of the events. 

In the current environment with the spread of Covid-19 in the community, VNZ doesn’t recommend large scale events due to the impact of potential positive Covid-19 cases on the events themselves and those participating. 

However, VNZ is also aware of a significant number of schools who wish to participate in local and regional events and VNZ does not wish to prevent this unnecessarily in the circumstances.

 Therefore, VNZ can now confirm:

• The 2022 North Island Secondary Schools Satellite event is cancelled
• The 2022 South Island Secondary Schools Satellite event, via organisers Canterbury Volleyball, will proceed in planning for delivery as currently scheduled. The event will be sanctioned by School Sport NZ (SSNZ). 

As a result, Canterbury Volleyball will continue planning and preparations for the South Island Satellite event should they determine this is appropriate with those schools who are willing to participate having been made fully aware of the following:

• Canterbury Volleyball are the sole-charge event provider and take full responsibility for all elements of the event
• The event could see Covid-19 spread rapidly through participating teams during or post event
• The at-event experience could be significantly impacted due to withdrawal of teams, either prior to the event or during
• Teams which ultimately complete at the event could come from a range of ability levels, including those teams initially due to participate at the NZSS Volleyball Championships in Palmerston North
• Following a soon-to-be-implemented government legislation change (which VNZ understand will be in place prior to the scheduled dates of summer tournament week), school students cannot be asked for proof of vaccination status when participating for a school team. Standard eligibility criteria set by the organiser of events will still be in place.

As per previous VNZ guidance issued for local and regional events, volleyball events must ensure the following is in place:

• Written confirmation to VNZ that the event will proceed will be required as soon as practical.
• Event Health and Safety Plan - the event must have an appropriate health and safety plan in place for the event which has been sighted by SSNZ, the Regional Sports Director and VNZ prior to the event commencing.
• School participation approval – Canterbury Volleyball is required to obtain and hold written confirmation of consent to participate for each school team involved in the event. This consent must be signed by the School Principal or the appropriate school delegated authority
• School team health and safety plan – All competing schools/teams must submit their team health and safety plan regarding their participation to the event organisers as part of their entry. 

VNZ remains committed to exploring all options to provide access for schools to volleyball events later in 2022 and we will update our community regarding this in due course. 

Nga mihi nui,
The VNZ Team

Volleyball New Zealand in consultation with School Sport New Zealand have on Wednesday mutually agreed to cancel the 2022 New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships due to the risks presented by the ongoing Omicron outbreak. 

Due to take place in Palmerston North at CET Arena from 28 March – 1 April, the event - one of the biggest secondary schools’ sports events on the calendar - was scheduled to bring over 150 school teams from around the country to the city.

But after a comprehensive review, which included discussions with multiple stakeholders, it has been determined the event is not feasible to deliver during the scheduled timing with the Omicron outbreak set to reach its peak.

Volleyball NZ CEO, Toni-Maree Carnie, says it was an extremely difficult decision, but schools spoke in the consultation process as to their preference not to attend. The quality of the at-event experience of the participants was also a major determining factor.

“We have deliberately left our decision as long as possible in attempt to explore all options available to us and have the latest information to inform our decision,” Carnie said.

“Ultimately, we’ve reached the position we have after listening to schools and due to our focus on the event experience for those involved. The Omicron outbreak could rule out large numbers of players and teams either before or at the event itself deeming it a very expensive non-event for some.

“The impact of that occurring at the event, on the teams, the schools and their families was simply too big a consideration to ignore despite the obvious desire of everyone to get on the court in the circumstances.”

As part of the decision-making process, Volleyball New Zealand consulted directly with School Sport New Zealand, schools, regional associations and event hosts Sport Manawatu and Palmerston North City Council.

School Sport NZ’s Nicki Paterson understands the outcome is hard for the community but supports the decision.

“Volleyball New Zealand have provided opportunity for schools to give their views directly and listened closely to that feedback,” Paterson said.

“The decision they have made prioritises the wellbeing of schools and their students and we fully endorse the outcome.”

Volleyball New Zealand will confirm shortly recommendations for the status and viability for the North and South Island satellite events and continue to explore how to enable further youth-focussed participation opportunities later in 2022.