Around the Grounds May 08

University Blues women battle it out on home court

Volleyball action heads to Monash Clayton campus on Friday 16 May when University Blues women's team takes on South Australia in the first round of the Australian Volleyball League.

Victoria topped the table in the national league last year and the Uni Blues are keen to take an early lead with one game at the Clayton campus stadium and three games across Saturday and Sunday at the State Volleyball Centre, 270 Stud Rd, Dandenong.

In 2008, the University Blues AVL team represents players from the Monash University, Melbourne University, Yarra Rangers, Camberwell Cobras, Heidelberg, Eastside Hawks and Southern Cross Fairhills volleyball clubs.

Monash staff and students can get free entry to the Friday night game by showing their staff or student ID at the door. Prices for the community are $5 for one day or $10 for the whole weekend's games.

Elite basketball squad training at Caulfield campus

Basketball Victoria's elite junior squad (12 to 17 year olds) will train at Chisholm Hall on the Caulfield campus every Saturday morning for the remainder of the year.

The juniors are part of Basketball Victoria's Intensive Training Centre program, which identifies and selects outstanding basketball athletes to develop their mental, playing and team skills. The program also exposes athletes to aspects of sport science, necessary to become a high level performer.

Each state has an ITC Program, with Victoria having both a Metropolitan and Country Program. The ITCP includes both males and females.

In Victoria Metropolitan ITCP, athletes are selected into one of two levels – Full Squad or Development Squad. Athletes selected into the ITCP are placed at a venue that is the most convenient, based either on where they live or where they attend school.

Two Monash students in rugby union state team

Monash students Alex Lindros and Marvin Ward were selected in the Uni Reds Team for a series of rugby matches in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast from 16 - 19 April.

After a two year break, Australian University Sport (AUS) assembled the Uni Reds and Uni Blues Rugby Union teams to take part in the clash.

In addition to the inter-state matches, both teams played against the Qld Country Squad who were in a training camp in preparation for the Australian Rugby Shield.

On Wednesday 16 April, the Uni Reds travelled to Palm Beach - Currumbin for the match against Qld Country. The Reds started the match strongly holding the Qld Country team to a 12 – 8 scoreline. The second half of the match was a tough 40 minutes for the Uni Reds playing against 15 fresh players and the stronger of the 2 Qld Country ‘15’s’. The scoreline certainly reflected this with Qld Country running away with a 64 – 8 win.

Ballymore played host to the Uni Reds vs Uni Blues interstate clash on 18 April. With some loyal supporters on the stand putting up with the driving rain, the two teams fought hard in a great contest. Uni Reds came out victorious 29 – 7 on this occasion making the tally 2-1 to the Reds. AUS hopes to see the match hosted in NSW next year and may be an opportunity for the Blues to even the tally. Congratulations to Jason Lohman (Reds) and James Crompton (Blues) who were both named Man of the Match.

Despite the weather conditions and the cancellation of club games, the Blues travelled to Palm Beach - Currumbin on Saturday 19 April for their match against the Qld Country squad.

The weather certainly made it difficult for any supporters to enjoy the match and the Blues were the stronger team in the first half but unfortunately could not keep up with the Qld Country boys in the second half falling six points behind at 17-11.

Netballers selected in state and national squads

After the recent National Championships, a number of Monash athletes have been selected into state and national squads.

Teagan Ashmore was picked in the 19 and under Australian side, while former Monash athlete Amy Steel scored a spot in the 21 and under national squad. Both squads will participate in the National Underage Talent Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from 8 – 11 July and form part of the Netball Victoria National Training Centre.

Monash University Central players made state representative sides: Lillian O'Sullivan was picked in the Victorian under-21's, Carlee Speck and Sophie O'Shea in the Tasmania under-21 team and Carolyn Simmonds represented South Australia in the recent Mixed Nationals in March.