Youngsters display impressive skills at mini volleyball championship in Šempeter

This past Sunday, January 7, following much work done by the Volleyball club SIP Šempeter, the sixth edition of the Open Championship in mini volleyball for girls and boys under the age of 11 was held in Šempeter, Prebold, and Braslovče, Slovenia. More than 600 children from across Slovenia and Croatia attended this cool and eagerly anticipated event.

The tournament was run in conjunction with the ‘VBO Premium Toothbrush – Grow with Volleyball and a Perfect Smile’ project, thereby bringing together as many as 56 teams playing across 14 courts. Girls and boys born in 2013 and younger competed for the first time in three categories, thus providing beginners with the opportunity to gain their first such experience.

The young Slovenian talents showed impressive volleyball skills, competitiveness, and cool actions, with the entire competition held in a spirit of fair play. The children received enthusiastic support from the stands, with parents, grandparents, and other people cheering them on.

In the girls’ category, featuring as many as 32 teams, the victory went to the young volleyball players from ŽOK Ivanec in Croatia. OK Nova KBM Branik claimed the second place, and the third-place medal was awarded to the local team of SIP Šempeter. In the boys’ competition, with participation of 10 teams, the gold medal was won by the excellent team from Žužemberk, while the players representing Panvita Pomgrad celebrated with silver, and bronze went to hosts SIP Šempeter.

The beginners’ competition was contested for the first time, with 13 teams responding to the invitation. The first place was secured by KLS Ljubno, the second by Calcit Volley III, and the third by ŽOK Ptuj.

The representative of the tournament’s general sponsor, Iskra AMS, and the president of the volleyball club SIP Šempeter, Boštjan Pražnikar, presented trophies and medals to the best teams. The matches were officiated by referees from DOS Žalec and OK SIP Šempeter, who performed their duties diligently and excellently. The organisers once again demonstrated that there is no need to fear a lack of such projects promoting the popularity and further growth of Volleyball among children in Slovenia.