Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

CELTIC DRAGONS TOP GRAND PRIX SERIES

The final teams to compete in the prestigious National Finals were confirmed this weekend with the 4th and final leg of the Sitting Volleyball Grand Prix Series.

FDSW Celtic Dragons came out on top to finish top of the league table and earn their place in the top 4 playoffs at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on Saturday 24th April as part of the National Finals weekend.

The Dragons, led by their Coach/Player Olga Jergorova, have dominated the Grand Prix Series, ensuring a Welsh presence at the National Play-Off Finals.

With the team very much still in it’s infancy, it’s great credit to FDSW Performance Manager Anthony Hughes on the development of this team, as well as the coaching and support mechanisms put in place around the squad.

Already, FDSW Academy member, Sam Scott (pictured) from Cardiff has represented Great Britain in the recent Sitting Volleyball World Cup in Eqypt. More members from the Celtic Dragons team look to cement their places in the GB set up very soon.

On top of the play-off finals an extra event has been put on for the Sunday where a Wales team will take on England at 12pm.

Portsmouth continued to develop with increasing wins in each of the 4 legs. This weekend they finished 6th to confirm their 4th place in the final league standings and a playoff match versus the Welsh side.

Battleback narrowly miss out on the Finals weekend but will be proud of their day with wins over Kent Wyverns, Thunder Cats, Essex Pirates and third place Wild Cats.

The other semi final on 24th April will see 2nd place East London Lynx battle it out with 3rd place East Midlands Lions. With a 26-24 win to East London Lynx the match is set to be a close one.

Essex Pirates, supported by Surrey and Birmingham players, continued their development with 2 wins across their 8 matches and 7th place. They were closely followed by Kent Wyverns and Thundercats who could only be split by sets won finishing in 8th and 9th respectively.

The series has been a great success encouraging the participation of disabled and able athletes sharing the court. The competition is set to grow next year with more players event by event and 6 tournaments planned for the 2010-11 season. Thanks must go to the players, coaches, volunteers, referees and technical officials for their commitment and sportsmanship throughout the series.

The 2009-10 competition is still not won though with the top 4 teams taking their places at the National Finals and the title still to be won. Matches will take place on the balcony court at Crystal Palace:

11:00 1st vs 4th – FSDW Celtic Dragons vs Portsmouth
12:30 2nd vs 3rd – East London Lynx vs East Midlands Lions
15.00 3rd/4th place playoff
16.30 Final

For tickets and more information visit the National Finals webapges.

Commenting is closed for this article.