The Fijian Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships is back after three years.

The competition was held at the Nasinu multipurpose courts in Valelevu yesterday.

The tournament attracted 14 schools with the farthest school travelling all the way from Sigatoka.

Volleyball is a minor sport in the country,

“Competition at this level ensures that Fiji Volleyball has a player base that they can draw from, especially in the girls division because they offer scholarships,” Fiji Secondary Schools volleyball interim secretary Jason Konrote said.

“Those girls who are in their second last year at high school can go study in the United States. And if they pass their foundation, they can go on to play volleyball and study for three years.

“This is also a motivation factor for the girls so they have been proving why they deserve that scholarship.

“Fiji Volleyball also uses the U20 grade for the boys division to draw players into the national team.

“The Pacific Volleyball Partnership programme that is sponsored by AUSAID so they have been one of our major sponsors and they basically got us up and running.

“It has been very exciting, there are a lot of new comers to the scene, the top seeds in the tournament were toppled by the smaller schools like Nakasi High, Dilkusha Methodist and Suva Muslim.

“So schools that we never expected to show up, did show up and they proved that it doesn’t matter how small your schools is, anything is possible.

“Getting involved with volleyball will help you overcome health problems as well as promote the sport.

“We are hoping that hosting such an event, we get sponsors to come on board and support the growth of volleyball and the health of the young people.”

The finals will be played today.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  justine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj