This weekend, Channel Island volleyball rivalries ignite once more as hosts Jersey and Guernsey meet for the inter-insular contest.
The 2025 edition of this historic clash will be staged at Haute Vallée school, with two teams from juniors, men’s and women’s teams battling for Bailiwick supremacy.
Since the Jersey Volleyball Association’s move into the Hampshire Volleyball league system in 2023, they have met their Sarnian counterparts regularly in league action, as well as at inter-insulars.
Spread across the weekend, Saturday sees the Junior Men compete, followed by both Women’s A and B teams.
Sunday, meanwhile, will see the Junior Mixed sides clash, with both Men’s A and B teams following.
Men’s captain Chris De Rue said: “As a team, we’re feeling good coming into this weekend.
“We always look forward to playing Guernsey in the inter-insular. They are normally some really good solid games.
“The whole team is ready to go and show what we have been working on this season. Bring on Sunday.”
Backing up his skipper, fellow men’s player and coach Edouard Parslow added: “Everyone has put in an amazing effort into this season and, as a coach, I’m grateful to be able to see their hard work pay off.
“I’m also really looking forward to seeing them put their hard work on full display for the home crowd this weekend.
“It just lights a fire inside you when you see them play with such finesse and chemistry; hopefully those coming up to watch will experience that first hand.
“Guernsey are well versed in competition and aren’t going to make it easy, but I strongly believe in all of our players’ abilities and am confident we can pull a solid result out the bag.
“Regardless of the results, I know the players and teams will do us proud and the weekend will be a huge milestone for us.”
From the women’s team’s perspective, A Team captain Andreea Gabriela commented: “We are eagerly anticipating this weekend’s match against Guernsey.
“Playing on our home court certainly gives us an advantage, also supported by our recent victory over them in Hampshire.
“However, I know Guernsey will be fiercely determined to reclaim their title from last year.
“They’ve prepared thoroughly, and their hunger for victory is palpable.
“We know we are equally ready though. We’ve dedicated countless hours to training and teamwork and are determined to keep our trophy and add another victory.”
Women’s B captain Fiene Roberts added her thoughts, saying: “We’re super exited for Saturday, it is going to be a hell of a weekend.
“The club worked so hard over the last year to not only up our volleyball game, but also to increase our player numbers.
“It’s great that we have two teams of each, juniors, men’s and women’s competing.
“For the women’s and men’s, there is a super strong squad which means that we show up with two well-balanced teams.”
Speaking on the rise of volleyball on both Islands over recent years, Gabriela continued: “It’s remarkable to witness how both Jersey and Guernsey teams have elevated their game in the last few years.
“For us, the commitment from coaches and players alike is inspiring, and I’m confident this match will showcase the hard work and dedication everyone has invested.
“We will be at Haute Vallée on Saturday and hope that people come and watch, especially kids who can consider volleyball as their next sport.”
SCHEDULE:
@ Haute Vallee School
Saturday: Junior Men (10am), Women B (12pm), Women A (2pm)
Sunday: Junior Mixed (9:30am), Mens B (11:30am), Mens A (1:30pm)
JVA SQUADS
Men’s A: Chris De Rue (c), Eduoard Parslow, Finn Hollick, Jack Messervy, Jordan Hampton, Valentin Heuguet, Patryk Lalka, Ciaran Westgate
Women’s A: Andreea Gabriela (c), Nicola Appleton, Ania Rowsell, Jess Cadiou, Nyaradzo Muzira, Iza Gawlicka, Benedicte Guinard, Kaja Jankowska
Men’s B: Tim Silvester (c), Oren Le Marquand, Riki Spriggs, Chris Milton, Dan Beck, Jamie Allen, Daniel Andrade
Women’s B: Fiene Roberts (c), Kaja Jankowska, Kiera Melville, Tendai Mupundu, Beth Bell, Micaela Camara, Renata Freitas, Sara Marote, Sienna Bobus, Milena Grigoras
Junior Men: Finn Hollick (c), Alex Wood, Luca Barbu, Ronaldo Gomes, Milena Grigoras, Dylan Thomaidis
Junior Mixed: Dylan Thomaidis (c), Belle Duffell, Milena Grigoras, Sienna Bobus, Luca Barbu, Alex Wood, Maddie Edward, Ronaldo Gomes
