Upwey High School students Shae, Georgia and Angelique will head to the Philippines next month with the Australian Youth Volleyball Team. 22069 Picture: Luke Plummer.
By Casey Neill
UPWEY High School students form a quarter of this year’s Australian Youth Volleyball Team.
Shae Sloane, Georgia Sverns and Angelique Doulgeris will compete in the Asian Youth Championships in the Philippines capital, Manila, in October.
The girls are looking forward to the challenge.
“I think the excitement overrates the nerves,” Georgia said.
She took up the sport through her mum’s team during primary school.
Shae and Angelique tried out for the renowned Upwey High School team in year seven.
They love everything about the sport.
“Because it’s a team sport you get to share everything with your team,” Shae said.
The 12-strong national team includes seven players from Victoria.
“We’ve been training individually as states,” Shae said.
The national team will come together for a two-day camp in Dandenong before they head overseas.
Year 11 students Shae and Georgia have represented Victoria in the national championships for the past three years.
The pair won gold at the Under 15 championships.
Angelique, who is in year 10, joined them in the Under 16 and 17 sides.
Both teams triumphed over their interstate rivals.
Last year, the trio were selected in an honorary all star Australian team featuring the best 12 players in the Under 16 competition.
They have also represented Upwey in the Victorian Schools Cup and National Schools Cup.
Physical education teacher Peter Bundy established the Upwey High School volleyball program when he began teaching at the college 30 years ago.
It is now considered the best school volleyball program in Victoria.
Mr Bundy said the girls train at 7am twice a week in addition to sessions during school hours.
“There’s a lot of dedication and hours required,” he said.
