Teamwork, hard work and inclusive participation: these are the key ingredients to Newington’s successful volleyball program. 

Played across Term 2 and Term 3, the sport is currently open to participants from Years 9 –12, and this year there are 11 teams and 123 players competing in Saturday matches and attending at least two training sessions per week. And their hard work is paying off: every year for the past three years, Newington has had volleyball players selected for the CIS and the GPS Representative teams in the 16s and 19s age groups.   

Ms Annika Reiss, Director of Volleyball, says the program’s success and growing popularity can largely be attributed to the positive culture within the Volleyball program at Newington, which is proudly student-centred and fosters a real sense of belonging. 

‘We have built a really good culture where our players want to improve and put in maximum effort, because it’s such an encouraging, supportive team environment,’ says Ms Reiss. 

‘Last year we had 108 players in total, so the program is growing each year, and we want to see that continue. This year we entered four teams in the GPS 16s age group for the first time; previously we usually only had two. 

‘In 2026 the College is also aiming to introduce volleyball to Year 8, as student involvement continues its upward trajectory.’ 

In Term 3, Newington will also participate in the NSW Schools Cup Championships for the first time; a two-day tournament where our volleyballers will play against other state and independent schools across NSW. Ms Reiss says students have approached the training for this tournament with their usual dedication and enthusiasm. 

‘Our volleyballers face each game and every challenge with their heads up and such a positive attitude,’ she says. 

Newington volleyballers have also played an integral role in the sport’s growth at the College by making the sport as accessible and welcoming as possible. In 2023, Friday lunchtime volleyball sessions were implemented during Terms 2 and 3, creating a relaxed and friendly environment for first timers to come and have a go with their friends. These student-facilitated games have continued with great success for the past two years, and are run this year by Captain of Volleyball, Alexander R. 

Alexander says forging strong connections with teammates is a key part of the sport, which is why lunchtime games have become such a popular initiative.  

‘Volleyball is one of those sports where everyone is so reliant on each other, and as a result, everyone becomes very close,’ he says. 

‘What I love most about the game is building those connections and physically seeing the results: you can never get a big hit if the connection with your teammates isn’t there, so once you achieve that, the growth is genuinely exponential.’ 

Ms Reiss says it’s not just about being a player, there are many ways to get involved in volleyball at Newington.  

‘Even though playing volleyball is at the heart of it all, we like to make sure other students get involved in all sorts of ways. Whether you’re a photographer coming down and taking photos or if you’re keen to learn how to referee and come to have a go at that, there is so much more to it than solely playing a match.’ 

Students interested in playing volleyball as a winter sport are welcome to join any of the Friday lunchtime games at the Taylor Sports Centre. Bring your friends! 

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For more information about sporting opportunities at Newington, please visit our website. 

If you are a member of the Newington community, you can click here to find out about our volleyball program on New Spaces.