Scotland volleyball coach Erik Milowski took the junior squad for a week-long trip to Crepes, Lille, earlier this month to give them experience in international competition at an earlier age. Among the team were three pupils from Mearns Castle High in East Renfrewhire, Lauraine Steel, Jill Roche and Katie Hiddleston.
Mr Milowski, the volleyball development officer in the north-east of Scotland, has had a big impact on increasing participation in the game in the Aberdeen area and is planning national events for primary children.
Meanwhile, the schools volleyball festivals have become so popular that one venue is no longer able to stage a national event. Instead regional events have been planned. The festival for S2-S3 children in the west of Scotland will be at Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, on February 4 and for those in the east at Grangemouth, Falkirk, two days later.
The S4-S6 festivals will be held on March 4-6 at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, and in the north and east on dates and at venues to be confirmed.
The City of Edinburgh Volleyball Club has announced that its annual Cardinal Sports Youth Cup festival will be held at Meadowbank Sports Centre on February 27, with tournaments at P7-S1 and S2-S4 levels.
The festival, now in its seventh year, has become very popular. Last year 50 teams competed. Entry forms will be available from November.
