Last week, between the dates of 21-24 June 2022, Edith Cowan University (ECU) Joondalup hosted other WA universities in the Western Invitational games; an inter-varsity competition involving the sports of basketball, futsal, mixed touch, netball, and volleyball.

Each day included various speeches and networking opportunities, including study and employment opportunities with the Australian Defence Force, and lessons of empathy and inclusion from a prominent Aboriginal community leader and an athlete from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Curtin University, ECU, and Murdoch University, each had representation in the ladies’ volleyball competition; while ECU and Curtin University had two participating teams in the men’s competition, along with one each from Murdoch University and the Australian Defence Force.

Over the first two days, each team played two games and dutied one (each untimed in length) – making for a few very long days of volleyball! On the third day, the ECU and Murdoch University ladies’ teams competed in the semi-finals, with Murdoch winning a long five set game against ECU, but ultimately taking silver in the grand final against the gold medallists, Curtin University. In the men’s competition, both Curtin University teams, ECU 1 and Murdoch University made it to finals; ECU 1 also fought hard in a five-set semi-final, defeating bronze medallists Curtin 2, but could not break the momentum of Curtin 1 in the grand final. ECU 1 was awarded the silver medal, and Curtin 1 took home the gold.

On behalf of all volleyball participants, I would like to thank Belinda, Kyla, Leon, and the entire ECU team that organised the Western Invitational series, and I look forward to meeting many more students and competing in UniSport Nationals in September!

Justine Ross – President Murdoch University Volleyball Club