Tamworth Volleyball Club has enjoyed a bright start to 2010 with several of their teams still in the running for league honours. The only blip during an otherwise happy January for TVC has been the slight drop in form of men’s ‘A’ team Tamworth Storm who fell to consecutive 3-2 defeats at the hands of the University sides from Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Elsewhere in the club though, ladies team Tamworth Lightning showed that they have what it takes to win a five setter as they clinched a superb victory over their old foes Persian Phoenix. Phoenix have been looking strong this year in West Mids Div 1 yet they became Lightning’s latest victim in what is now a four match unbeaten streak.

With the early divisional leaders now faltering – and with Lightning’s next two fixtures being against bottom sides Redhill and Telford – coach Alan Chaplin knows that his side can build on their current 4-2 record and really make an impression at the top end of the league table.

Tamworth Thunder, the men’s ‘B’ team, continue their relentless march in the Leicester League. The defending champs easily disposed of Loughborough Lions to maintain an unbeaten run which stretches back to their second match of the season against Coventry Rovers. As long as Thunder can avoid any complacency in their February fixtures, their season is gearing up towards a winner-takes-all showdown in the return fixture at Coventry in early March.

Thunder also have an eye on the West Midlands Plate competition after they demolished Nuneaton in the quarter-finals. Thunder conceded just 42 points en route to a 3-0 win, taking the second set for the loss of just six points. They now host Wombourne or Rugby in the semi-finals and are one match away from their first Finals Day appearance in six years.

With Lightning already in the ladies’ Cup semi-finals, Storm could make it a club treble if they dispose of Div 2 leaders Tettenhall in their men’s Cup quarter-final on February 18. However, it is their league form which will most concern coach Bob Fordi. Pre-Christmas victories against Birmingham Uni and Dudley had already raised expectations but two deflating five set defeats since then have dropped Storm back into the thick of the relegation dogfight. However, with eight fixtures still remaining – and with the two fixtures against reigning champs Wolverhampton University already out of the way – Storm have plenty of time to secure their Div 1 status for another year.

Elsewhere in the club, Tamworth Tornadoes, the TVC mixed team, picked up two victories during January, meaning that a repeat of their Leicester League championship win of three years ago may not be wishful thinking. The team, boasting several of the club’s best and youngest recruits, is certainly finding its feet in competitive company.

Even further down the club’s youth development scheme, TVC hosted its first primary school volleyball competition in late January. Featuring 86 children from five Tamworth primary schools, the competition allowed the children to play some two-on-two volleyball, with the emphasis firmly on fun and an introduction to the sport. With the event having been such a success, the club now hopes to extend its current junior development program (currently hosted at Wilnecote School every Tuesday) by incorporating a “minis” session for children of primary school age.

For more information on junior volleyball opportunities in Tamworth, visit www.tamworth-volleyball.com or call Ian Wall on 07730 201176.