The Burnside volleyball girls have enjoyed lots of action-packed fun while playing throughout the year.

Back in December 2018 a group of us went and participated in the Australian Volleyball Schools cup at Melbourne. Playing in the Under 17 Honours grade we managed to snag the bronze in a five-set thriller against Brighton Secondary School. The tournament helped us develop our skills when coming into the 2019 summer season.

The first tournament of 2019 took us to Tauranga for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Volleyball Championships. We had four teams participate with two in the junior grade and senior grade. Kelly Newlands and Rebecca Coulson made their way to a division one quarterfinal as well as Rosa Vesty and Taylah Holdem. Both teams were outstanding and came fifth equal. The two senior teams both went into division two but met each other in a quarterfinal. Payton Anderson and Mia Porteous went on to win gold with Haylee Kereama and Ella Te Aho coming fifth. All the girls had an incredible time playing under the sun and in the sand.

Moving into the gym for the indoor season meant competing at Mainland champs and Canterbury champs. Our senior A team was coached by Sam Ryburn and the B team coached by former Burnside player Chloe Mikaera. Needless to say, our teams were in the best of hands. Both our senior A and B teams had some great results from these tournaments. The senior A team came third in both events, just missing out on spots to the finals. Our B team came first for division two in Canterbury champs which is an outstanding achievement that shows the large amount of talent that these girls have.

The last event of the season took us up to Palmerston North to compete in the New Zealand Secondary School Volleyball Champs. With some ups and downs, both the A and B team played well in their divisions showing great effort and enthusiasm on and off the court. Nationals was an amazing week filled with eventful and exciting volleyball.

This 2019 season was unbelievable and it is thanks to those off the court who make Burnside continue to have volleyball as a thriving sport in the school. Thank you to the coaches, teachers and parents that put in countless hours to support the students playing. The achievements we have accomplished are thanks to you.