Top clubs to compete in NZ champs

Story by: Jonathan McKoeown - Nelson Mail - Photo by:

The 2012 Volleyball New Zealand club championships are set to create a spike in Nelson's athletic population in a fortnight as 39 teams from around the country descend on the region for three days of intense indoor action.

Allan Brodie said the Nelson Bays Volleyball Association was delighted to be the host association of the event to be played at both Saxton Stadium and the Trafalgar Centre from August 22-25.

The finals are scheduled for the Trafalgar Centre on Saturday August 25.

Matches for the Division I teams will be played at the Trafalgar Centre from Wednesday through to Friday, while the Division II tournament will be played at Saxton Stadium from Thursday to Saturday.

Brodie said the pool play matches from Wednesday to Saturday would be free of charge and there would be games from 9am until 9pm on a lot of nights.

Spectators would have every chance to get along and see the top volleyballers from around the country in action.

"This is the pinnacle event for New Zealand volleyball each year," Brodie said.

"We welcome all to come along to see the best of New Zealand volleyball and support the Nelson men's and women's teams."

The ASB Nelson Pines men's team will contest the men's division I, while the Queen Street Pharmacy Nelson women and a further two Nelson men's and women's teams will also contest the division II competition.

Some of the strongest teams will fly from Auckland, with the Pakuranga-based Sparta men's side returning to defend the title they won in 2011 with a 3-0 win over Harbour Raiders.

The Nelson Pines side recently beat Sparta in a friendly on their home patch, so Nelson will be hopeful of making at least a semifinal spot.