The East Coast Old Boys Volleyball Club is ready to cause some damage at the Volleyball New Zealand Club Nationals in Auckland starting today.

Three teams from the Eastern Bay are attending under the East Coast Old Boys banner.

The East Coast Old Boys tane have been in impressive form this season and head into nationals as one of the top ranked teams.

They feature Morgan Seymour, Salem Tuaeu, Campbell Forsyth, Robert Maxwell, Lukas Buchan, Kani Paniora, Regan Atkins, Maia Westrupp, Javaan Wihapi, Isoua Te Whetu-Lomi, Braxton Knowles, Jacob Tuaeu and David Jeffery.

They are the top ranked team from the Midlands division, having taken out the Midlands Championship earlier in the season.

It was their second title as they also dominated the Bay of Plenty Championships and crated a club milestone while doing so with both the men’s A and women’s A crowned the 2025 Bay of Plenty Volleyball Champions.
East Coast Old Boys won a close game against the historic Tauranga Tiger men’s A team in the fifth set.
It was an outstanding team performance with national representatives Forsyth, Westrupp and Seymour outstanding in the victory and adding lots of experience to the team. They shape as key figures for nationals.

Meanwhile, East Coast Old Girls A team had a confident win against the Western Bay of Plenty Phoenix taking sets 1-3-4 to secure a 3-1 win. Outstanding players for the women’s team included Caitlin Studer, Kalani Ruri and Emma Birkett, who, like their men’s counterparts, will be eager to fire at nationals.

It wasn’t just a successful weekend for the A teams as young talent was also on display. The men’s B team finished seventh and women’s B team secured fifth.

Birkett, a key club member, said it was fantastic to see volleyball back doing well in the Eastern Bay.

“The club has a strong culture and functions differently every year.
“It’s great to see our teams at the top of Bay of Plenty Volleyball so early in our season but it’s even better knowing there’s more to come. Nationals will be tough, but the club knows they are going in there with a target on them, so that is exciting.”
She said the club continued to move forward following success at Midlands.

“We matched up well to the Waikato teams a few weeks ago and that gives us good motivation heading into nationals.
Club president Morgan Seymour said the club provided a great pathway for those wanting to continue with volleyball after leaving school.
“The team has been building to win big games such as this and it was comforting to see that pre-season has paid off against experienced teams and we’re ready to perform at nationals.”
There was also a second Eastern Bay club at the BOP tournament, Above the Net, which featured several secondary school students and performed admirably in their grades.

The East Coast women’s division one team, which is coached by Brendon Ray-Horlock, features Birkett, Studer, Ruri, Monique Prasad, Phoenix Paniora, Maia Horlock, Georgia Brell, Courtney McConkey, Ava Andersen, Jasmine Westrupp, Eilish Burt, Rosemary Timoti-Reid, Angelina Paenga, Aoife King.

In the division 3 women’s team, there’s a mix of youth and experience with Brianna Knowles, Jayd Hunia, Shea Baker, Miisha Ruri, Isla Webster, Sasha Solomona, Zoe Laurent, Hinemanu Newton, Piki Hemi Sharlene Naio.
The division 1 women start with a game against the Wellington Storm, before facing the Tauranga Tigers and Auckland Uso Volleyball Club in a double round robin.
East Coast Old Boys tane line up against the Measina Men, Playaz and Titans A and, like the women, they face each other twice.
The division 3 women face Easts Women’s, Shirley Volleyball Club and Manaia Heilala Volleyball Club.

MY BALL: Emma Birkett goes to dig the ball during a volleyball game for the East Coast Old Girls and will be a key figure at club nationals. Photo Supplied.

HAMMERED: Kalani Ruri will be a key figure if the East Coast women are to shine nationals.

TOP PERFORMER: Maia Westrupp is one of the best every tournament for the East Coast Old Boys.

GOOD FORM: Salem Tuaeu will be hoping to continue his strong form for the East Coast Old Boys men’s team.