Volleyball
The focus of Australian Volleyball's Targeted Sports Participation Growth Program is ‘Spikezone’, a modified game of mini-volleyball aimed at primary school students. The primary modifications are:
- a smaller court
- a lower net height
- a softer, lighter ball
- reduced players on court
- a simplification of the rules
Spikezone is nationally coordinated, but delivered through the member states and their affiliates.
There are two main stages in the delivery of Spikezone:
- Promotion: in-school clinics/lunch & crunch carnivals
- Participation: weekly programs for members
Promotion: In-School Clinics/Lunch & Crunch Carnivals
To promote the Spikezone program and provide a ‘taste’ of what the sport has to offer both in-school clinics and carnivals are delivered.
In-school clinics are delivered by qualified coaches during the school day. The clinics develop the students’ basic skills required to play the game and a positive first experience of volleyball. Clinics are delivered at no cost and a complimentary copy of the Spikezone Coaching CD is provided to those schools that allow clinics to be delivered to their students. Community-based clinics are also delivered where necessary to provide for those students who are unable to participate in clinics through their school.
A Lunch and Crunch Carnival is a half-day event in which students play mini-volleyball in an inter-school environment and experience the excitement of participating in the sport. Each team is guaranteed at least three games during a carnival, with each game played over 15 minutes. Girls, boys and mixed teams can participate and the primary focus of carnivals is fun. Where possible a Lunch and Crunch Carnival are staged at the venue of the Spikezone Program that will be developed in the district, facilitating player awareness of the venue and its location.
Participation: Weekly Programs
Spikezone programs provide the opportunity for children to play the game of mini-volleyball on a weekly basis. Programs will be offered mainly in the 4 to 6 pm time slot. The primary focus of these programs is participation rather than competition.
Visit the Spikezone website or email spikezone@avf.org.au for more information.
