Spikers set for spring

The Melbourne Spikers gay and lesbian volleyball team have started preparations for the spring competition season.

Now in its 25th year, the sporting group will first turn their attention to the Sydney Freezone Spring Tournament on October 1, which is being held at Olympic Park. The annual Adelaide Tournament will follow on Saturday, November 26 in the Adelaide Hills.

The Spikers will see three existing committee members step down this year and the organisation is now on the hunt for three new members to help the committee run one of the largest GLBTI clubs in Melbourne.

“With the president, vice president and another committee member standing down, we’re looking for some younger people to come through with fresh ideas,” Spikers secretary Lantry Lorenz said.

With Outgames and Gay Games coming up in the next few years here, it’s also an opportunity to help get the Spikers teams ready for international competition.

Lorenz said the 25th anniversary celebration and international competition had seen increased interest in the club from new players.

“We seem to have a lot new members come, while older members were moving interstate and overseas,” Lorenz said.

“Going to Wellington [Outgames] there was also a lot of networking with other clubs interstate, and it resulted in a really big turnout for our Winter Whack Tournament in June.”

The Spikers committee is elected at the annual general meeting which this year will be held on Tuesday, October 18.

It’s also the Spikers annual membership drive. New and existing members can sign up for the 2011/12 season by paying $25, which has several benefits including reduced weekly training fee, additional insurance for any training mishaps, as well as discounts at Snowgum and The Fox Hotel.

INFO: The Spikers meet every Tuesday night at the Collingwood Education Centre from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

For more information, visit www.melbournespikers.com.au