Record participation in Year 11 Schools Tournaments in Malta

There has been a huge increase in the number of participating schools and teams in the Year 11 Schools Volleyball Tournaments run by the Malta Volleyball Association (MVA). As many as five new boys’ schools and eight new girls’ schools were added to the previous edition of the competition. Some of these schools were featuring for the first time in MVA-sanctioned competitions. 

Four qualifying rounds played on four different days were needed, two for boys and two for girls, to find out the four finalists in both tournaments. These four rounds were played between November 23 and December 11 at the Cottonera Sports Complex. 

The total number of schools went up from 13 last year to 28 - which shows an overall increase of 115%. A total number of 13 boys’ schools were present. This saw an increase of 62% over the last scholastic year as the number went up from 8 to 13. On the other hand, the girls’ teams increased by 200% as their number raised from 5 to 15 this year. Several schools fielded both boys’ and girls’ teams. 125 boys and 148 girls for a total of 273 players represented the 28 teams coming from State, Church, and independent schools around the archipelago.

The boys’ schools present were SMC Verdala Sec, MRC Mosta Lily Sec, St Paul’s Missionary College, STMC ST Lucia Sec, MRC Mosta Zokrija Sec, STMC Zejtun Sec, Stella Maris College, Savio College, SGPC Hamrun Sec, SCC Pembroke Sec, St Martin’s College, SBC Kirkop Sec and St Michael School.

The girls’ schools present were SMC Verdala Sec, MRC Mosta Lily Sec, STMC ST Lucia Sec, MRC Mosta Zokrija Sec, STMC Zejtun Sec, SGPC Hamrun Sec, SCC Pembroke Sec, St Martin’s College, Sacred Heart College, St Michael Foundation, St Catherine School, St Francis School, San Andrea College, St Monica School B’Kara and St Joseph School. 

The qualified teams for the finals are MRC Mosta Lily Sec, STMC Zejtun Sec, St Martin’s College, and SBC Kirkop Sec in the boys’ category. St Monica B’Kara, San Andrea School, MRC Mosta Lily Sec, and St Michael Foundation qualified in the girls’ competition.  

The finals for both categories will be played on January 11, 2024, soon after the Christmas holidays. There will surely be an incredible atmosphere as was the case in all four rounds played so far. A big well done goes to all schools and their respective teachers for their commitment and support, as this competition is becoming one of the most important in the schools’ calendar!