Events in 2004

Midsumma Tournament

Saturday January 24th

With 16 participating teams (including one from Canberra, three from Adelaide and 1/2 from Sydney) it was our biggest tournament in our 20 year history.
The four teams in C grade certainly enjoyed themselves, especially the novice Joy FM team - who did manage to win one set during the day and will be nursing those bruises for a while yet. And didn't the Panthers' outfits look stylish!
Not to be outdone, B grade also had their "fashion" statement from the tropical Phoenix - including a gyrating mascot! With 9 teams to cope with, B grade saw a draw loosely based on the Sydney Gay Games "self-seeding" model. Teams could not afford to be slow off the mark and there were many close matches.
As always, the 3 teams in A grade hit out hard in typical competitive spirit. But no sense of style from any of these pooftas - not one set of uniforms amongst them! Shame!

Congratulations and special thanks to the team from Joy 94.9FM for their first-time efforts on court and their on-air support. 

Results:

The presentation at DT's Hotel was the perfect way to debrief and re-hydrate (ah-hem!) from the day's activities.  Many inter-team and inter-state relationships (of varying degrees) were forged or re-kindled.  Those with the energy snuck off to the Red Raw dance party while others kept the bar staff occupied until hosing time.

Midsumma 2004 Tournament Photo Gallery

The tournament would not have been possible without help from our wonderful and generous sponsors:

• Booka
• Courtney & Patterson Honda Service, Heidelberg
• Robin's Fine Foods

Pride March

Thanks to Drew, our Pride March Co-ordinator, about 15 Spikers (plus a few "volleyball widows") donned the now infamous purple and yellow and marched proudly down Fitzroy Street.  Everyone joined in the roving volleyball game (including the Joy FM presenters broadcasting from the Prince of Wales!) and a few hidden talents were discovered in the crowd.  Loraine has promised to retrieve the shanked ball from the roof of that restaurant as soon as she can!

Midsumma Carnival

Honouring our commitment to supporting the community the Spikers made themselves known at the Midsumma Carnival.  Luckily for 2 "high-ranking" members there was no breath testing at the Sports Marquee.

You'll find Melbourne Spikers in the 2004 Gay & Lesbian Sporting Club Directory, available from the Midsumma office and most sporting groups.

Movie Night

29th February

Launching the 20th year celebrations was the pre-release screening of "Camp".  About 40 members and guests strolled the red carpet at the Kino Cinemas for this gala occasion.  Show queens, theatre buffs and the rest of us were kept chuckling by the cute little movie.  Congratulations to the raffle winners, it pays to be a member!

Sydney Mardi Gras Tournament

28th - 29th February

Despite being reduced to 5 players our boys did us proud and took second place in the Mardi Gras Tournament hosted by our Sydney counterparts, Freezone.

Well done to the team and congratulations to Hamish for being awarded the most valuable player!

Good Friday Volleyball-athon - Kew

9th April

A report of the day from Al:

Kew was the designated locale for the RCH Good Friday Volleyball-athon tournament to top all Good Friday’s (BC and AD that is…). The sizzling combo of Stephen, Darren, Tim, Elizabeth, Al, Loz, Scott, Alex, and Kin scrubbed up sensationally in their Spikers attire, Loz taking out the award for the most matching paraphernalia worn in the day’s 9 hour duration. As head-cheerleader, Josh, also known as ‘7 year old son of Scott’, was the sole source of inspiration for the team’s solid performance, and prevented/mitigated the audible use of on court expletives from key Spiker players. We came 2nd in the Mixed Division, going down in a hard fought, Olympic-esque, four set finale. Thanks go to the tournament organizers, the trophy manufacturers for their stunning efforts and Kin for being a fabulous uniform washer-person on the team’s behalf.

Bowling at Strike

18th April

Here's a report of the night, by Craig:

Being Gutterball Champion is Not Easy!

After months of training, I have finally won an award I have aspired to. I am Gutterball Champion! 

Now I know many of you want to know what training regime I went on. What I ate, who I slept with, but really it comes down to one key element. Alcohol!

You see I was sober! Now stop laughing.....yes sober. I truly believe that there is a correlation. Look at the results; a normally sober person at volleyball functions was, to used her words "pissed as a fart" even after a bike ride from Kew. She normally was the outright champion for GutterBalling. A few vegetarian cocktails and I was able to pip her at the post so to speak. Also all I can say is, more of those kahlua and soy milks for her. What a scream she was. I would identify her at this point, but according our committee member Liz, that identification would be inappropriate!

It was a fantastic night, four lanes of action. Kenta bowls like he plays volleyball, Tam bowled like me in the first game and then took out the top prize. He had had some beer! (See there is a correlation). Who would have thought you could eat, drink and bowl, with a bunch of gorgeous looking people and still have fun, (even if I was sober!)

So the moral of the story: 
If you are uptight get drunk. 
If you are sober, then you are uptight. 
If you'rre drunk, go bowling with the Melbourne Spikers!

Trivia Night

23rd May

We had Kylie; we had George Pell and his choirboys ; we had birthday cake (happy birthday again, Craig); we had competitive tension! The Trivia Night was a truly fun evening, and a sell-out!  The function room of the Castle Hotel was packed with teams eager to prove their knowledge of the trivial, such as David Beckam's jersey number.

The $500 cash prize, generously donated by the Grape Seed Oil company, was won by one of the Glamourheads table (was it swimming or water polo? Ahh, who cares - it wasn't Melbourne Spikers!!!). This team pipped DC's table at the post, after they had lead most of the evening. Bummer!

Thanks must go to:
Grape Seed Oil Australia for donating the cash prizes and bottles of Grape Seed Oil
Scott White for donating some of the "spot" prizes
Alan and the Melbourne Trivia Company
The Castle Hotel, North Melbourne
The committee (especially Booka) for organising it

Ballarat Tournament

29th - 30th May

Continuing the tradition of representing the Spikers in "straight" tournaments, Melbourne Spikers Blue travelled to frosty Ballarat for the "Skins" tournament on the weekend. Due to numbers, Men's Divisions 2 and 3 were combined, thrusting our heroes into a very tough competition, including the likes of the Victorian Under 17s state team. Once again defence was Blue's shining quality and their "never say die" attitude drew praise from other teams. The final tally? 2 sets and one coin toss over five games. Yes, the coin toss was counted as a win... The late night D & M plus some dubious sleeping arrangements probably didn't help. After that result the team decided that a bit of retail therapy was in order and so they dragged their worn and weary bodies to a 30% off sale at the Sheridan Factory Outlet. At least they'll sleep well on nice, new sheets!

Winterdaze Tournament

12th June

Well, that's one way to keep warm in winter!
With 7 teams in B Grade all playing each other once, the B grade teams had a very busy day. Not quite so for the four A grade teams, but at least we had an A grade. Unfortunately the Social Grade did not eventuate; but our
dedicated C graders, the Trojans, did themselves proud and put up strong opposition against all the other B grade opponents. 
Thank you must go to the two teams (and supporters) from Adelaide Spikers and to the Q jumpers from Canberra -it makes a huge difference to have an interstate field.

And congratulations to the winning teams, who take home the new Melbourne Spikers Winterdaze Perpetual Trophies:

Congratulations to the MVPs:
A Grade: Kan (Dragons)
B Grade: Chong (D-Grade)

Final results:
A grade - Al's def Dragon 2-1
B grade - Winn & Co def Killer Queens 2-1

The presentation at DT's Hotel kick-started the social component and a certain restaurant on Bridge Road will never be the same again...

Thanks once more to our generous sponsors for the raffle prizes, Scott White and Chris Wheelhouse/Robin's Food.

Bowling at Strike

26th September

Despite the "lane booking fiasco", Spikers at Strike was enjoyed by all.  Hidden talent was discovered in a few players and the Gutter Ball Trophy was gleefully handed over to it's new keeper.

AGM

12th October

The shortest meeting on record (15 mins!) saw the 2004/2005 Committee accepted.  Thanks go to outgoing member Chris for his efforts over the past 12 months and congratulations to Irving for taking up the challenge.

Adelaide Feast Tournament

30th October

A huge "Thank you" to Adelaide Spikers for a great weekend of volleyball, wine touring and general socialising.
14 teams from Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and of course, Adelaide competed in the tightly contested tournament - a record number for the FEAST tournament. Unfortunately none of the four Melbourne Spikers' teams made it to the finals - thank goodness we were represented by Stuart (playing for FOB) in the B grade final and Illias (playing for the LeftOvers) in the C grade. Both players' teams were victorious!
The wine tour on Sunday was a fabulous idea, although some players looked less appreciative of the "hair of the dog" treatment than others. If you didn't make it this time, mark this one down in your diary for next year. Too good to miss!
 

Good Neighbours Tournament

27th - 28th November

This year saw 2 teams represent Melbourne Spikers in the annual Good Neighbours Tournament in Canberra.  Melbourne Spikers Blue surprised Dragon in their semi final and went on to take runners up over all.  Well done to both teams in the tough competition!
 

End of Year Picnic

12th December

What a great way to round off the year - sunshine, relaxing in the park, great food and great company!  This year's break-up picnic in the Edinburgh Gardens saw the biggest attendance on record with members and guests enjoying the social atmosphere and, of course, some volleyball.  Rain threatened later in the day but the game went on regardless - you can't stop the Spikers!

Congratulations to Archie for winning the Coach's Most Improved player.  Thanks went to Irving and Ching for helping with training over the course of the year.

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