Volleyball on the Rise at Newman College
Volleyball is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing sports at Newman College, with excitement and enthusiasm building across the College community as students set their sights on the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup this December on the Gold Coast.
Last week, our Gold Coast Volleyball teams officially began their journey, hitting the court for the first time as they prepare for months of training, competition and teamwork. From the very first session, it’s clear that something special is beginning to take shape at Newman College, with every team bringing extraordinary energy, commitment and team spirit to the court.
Adding to the excitement is the exceptional calibre of coaching supporting our students, we have Shelby Maher, captain of the Super League winning Perth Steel, leading the coaching program. Shelby has been heavily involved with Volleyball WA at an elite level as both a player and coach, and brings a wealth of experience, expertise and genuine passion to the program.
Over the years, Shelby and Miss Kononen have developed a formidable volleyball partnership, guiding teams to the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup on multiple occasions, with one of those remarkable journeys seeing one team advance all the way to the Gold Medal Match.
“Schools Cup was one of the highlights of my time at school,” Shelby said. “It is such an incredible experience because it is about so much more than volleyball. You build friendships, confidence and memories that stay with you long after the tournament ends. I am really excited to help the students grow as players, enjoy the journey and create those same experiences together.”
In a truly wonderful full circle moment, fellow coach Lucie Wilcox was once coached by Shelby herself and was part of the team that reached the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup grand final. Now, the pair stand side by side on the coaching bench, inspiring and guiding the next generation of Newman College volleyball players with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
While there is still plenty of hard work ahead, the early signs are incredibly promising. The dedication, enthusiasm and culture already developing within this program is something the entire College community can be immensely proud of.
This is only the beginning of the journey, but one thing is already certain — Newman College is well and truly making its mark on the volleyball map, and the best is still to come.
