A selection of U17 Girls from South East (squad and reserves) entered the international Youth Tournament in Kalmthout, Belgium on 14/15th May 2026. U16 could not travel due to exams period, the team was experimental with some players competing in unusual positions. Credit to them.
The team entered the U17 Prime Cup competition, together with top teams from Belgium, Holland, Germany and France.
Day 1 saw us missing narrowly on the 2nd place of our pool on point average, having drawn all 3 games (one set lost, one set won). A mix of hope and despair, through a lack of consistency from our gameplay (the lower number of errors from our opponents was very evident). But with momentum and focus, we could compete and be on top.
Day 2, playing places 5-8, was a similar story with 1 win, 2 losses. Nevertheless the will was there, and we kept learning, which will make individuals stronger for the IRC finals.
Overall it was a fantastic Volleyball experience, the girls learnt a lot from our European friends. Discipline, low level of serve errors, running angles were some of the feedback post event. They also had the chance to watch top women Volleyball in the final between VC Neuwied 77 (Germany) and MAVO Dilsen Stokkem (Belgium), where height, technique, speed, defence, long rallies and quick combinations was all on show! Pure pleasure!
Benoit Royer