Heathfield High School open honour boys and girls volleyball teams nominated for School Sports Awards

Heathfield High School’s trophy cabinets are already overflowing and now its dominant volleyball teams have the chance to claim a SA School Sports Award.

With sturdy defence and a potent attack these young volleyballers have been almost flawless in 2021, consistently topping the strongest opposition across South Australia.

The Heathfield High School open honour boys and girls teams, who also play together at the Mt Lofty Volleyball Club, have done it all this year and now they’re nominated for The Advertiser, Messenger and Department for Education School Sports Awards 2021.

Both teams, made up of Year 11 and 12 students, followed up a strong 2020 for Mt Lofty by winning the South Australia Volleyball League (SAVL) junior competition this season.

The girls also won the School Sport SA open girls championship for Heathfield and the boys claimed the South Australian Volleyball Schools Cup – their first title in the competition since 2015.

Heathfield High School's open honour girls team celebrates their School Sport SA open girls championship. Picture: Supplied, Heathfield High School

Mt Lofty Volleyball president and Heathfield High School sport co-ordinator Peter Giannes said the nomination was well-deserved.

“This is a reflection of the hard work these teams have put in together with coaches Lachy Abbott and Dave Bennett over recent years to get to this level,” Giannes said.

“They always train hard and continue to inspire the younger players at the school and Mt Lofty.

“Both teams would be extremely humbled and proud if they won a School Sports Award.”

Giannes said the teams had shown great resilience to maintain their high level of performance through Covid-stoppages in 2020 and 2021.

Heathfield open honours captains D’Artagnan Potts, 18, and Brielle Rayner, 17 celebrate their teams’ 2021 School Sports Awards nominations. Picture: Emma Brasier

“The past couple years have had a major impact on the group,” he said.

“We were unable to travel to the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup competition in the Gold Coast last year and the SAVL season suffered a few setbacks with outbreaks as well.

“The way these players have striven to be at their best during these times has been heartwarming and they’ve continued to improve even with the uncertainty of what’s ahead.”

Making up for last year’s miss, both Heathfield teams have qualified for this season’s Australian Volleyball Schools Cup – to be held in December.

Giannes said the year would go down as a major success regardless of what results out of the national competition.

Heathfield open honours Captains D’Artagnan Potts, 18, and Brielle Rayner, 17. Picture: Emma Brasier

“It’s a big goal for both teams to be crowned national champs in the December competition but they should be extremely proud of what they’ve already achieved this year,” he said.

“They have continued to support each other through every curve-ball and it’s been a privilege to see them develop.”

The School Sports Awards are the joint initiative of The Advertiser, Messenger and Department for Education.

There are three major awards in 2021 – individual competitors, individual student officials, and teams, with female and male, rural and metropolitan, and primary and secondary categories all included.

Enrolled primary and secondary students between the ages of 10-18 are eligible.

Entries close Friday, October 15. Nominate here.