Life’s a beach for duo

South Australia’s Adrian Matthews keeps his eye on the ball as he prepares to smash it back to his Northern Territory opponents during the Australian Defence Force Volleyball Association Combined Service National Titles in Canberra.

Victoria’s Sergeant Vicki Black, from RAAF Base Williams, spikes as the ACT’s Jo McKowen attempts a block during their women’s clash at the Combined Service National Titles. Photos by SGT Bill Guthrie

BEACH volleyball pair Flight Lieutenant Deb Ward and Flight Lieutenant Vicki Campbell are ADF champions after winning their final at the SAAB Technologies Australian Defence Force Volleyball Association (ADFVA) Combined Service National Titles held in Canberra from November 9-17.

The sport of beach volleyball made an impressive debut at the titles, with FLTLTs Ward and Campbell equally outstanding.
Held at RAAF Base Fairbairn, in the women’s final the Air Force pair defeated Lieutenant Monica Goodheart and Corporal Michelle Sweeney from NSW.

FLTLTs Campbell and Ward were also selected in the beach volleyball squad for the 2003 Arafura Games.
Meantime, Defence civilians John Cassat and Brad Osborn from the ACT defeated Peter Vanherah and Corporal Nick Booth from NSW in the men’s final.

The beach volleyballers were among more than 150 players and officials from all over Australia and included two international teams from the Royal Navy and New Zealand Army.

In the indoor volleyball tournament both the NSW women and ACT men’s sides defended their national titles won in 2001.

The NSW women scored a 3-1 victory over Victoria in their grand final, with the most valuable player award going to Major Jenny Becker (NSW).

In the men’s grand final, the ACT defeated Queensland 3-1, with ACT’s Osborn named the most valuable player.
Eight Air Force players were selected in the men’s and women’s indoor volleyball teams to contest next year’s Arafura Games.

Flight Lieutenant Jenny Becker, Flying Officer Amy Barker, Corporal Michelle Sweeney and Corporal Veronica McKenna joined FLTLT Campbell in the women’s team, while Corporal Lee Murray, Leading Aircraftman James Campbell and Sergeant James Rogers were selected in the men’s line-up.

Flight Lieutenant Ward, Leading Aircraftman Peter Booth, Leading Aircraftman Paul Foley and Corporal Matt Coombe were selected as reserves for the Arafura Games.

To find out more about volleyball in the ADF go to www.adfva.org.

• By Michael Weaver

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