Anse Royale give hope for future of Seychelles sports with thrilling battle in final of women’s volleyball championships
By Seychelles Life Sports Correspondent
At a time when Seychellois sports is going through one of its worst moments, great performances by the Anse Royale women's volleyball team give hope for the forthcoming Indian Ocean Islands Games.
The Anse Royale team (ARSU) reached the final of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) Zone 7 Championship in Mauritius.
ARSU were narrowly beaten by Mauritian club Quatre Bornes, who capitalised on their home advantage to win 3-2 in a fiercely contested match (25-18, 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-13).
It was the fourth title in a row for Quatre Bornes in the women's competition, which used to be dominated by Seychellois teams, with ARSU having won it a record ten times, the last in 2016.
All things considered, it was a good result for Anse Royale, who finished third the last time there was a local league more than two years ago. Since then, there has been a long period of inactivity, due to the COVID-19 pandemic while renovation work at the Palais des Sports has meant there has not been a proper volleyball venue.
Anse Royale’s French coach, Olivier Sauer, said his team could have won the gold medal, but they were physically drained due to the lack of competition locally because of the long stop during COVID.
However, Sauer, who has been with ARSU for only two months, says he is satisfied with the silver medal, and is looking forward to the African Championship in Tunisia in May.
A good showing by ARSU there would inspire other Seychelles athletes ahead of the Islands Games, which take place August 23 to September 3.
Money could be an issue, though. As they did for the Mauritius tournament, it seems Anse Royale will have to self-finance their trip to Tunisia.
The ARSU team is: Jerina Bonne, Marielle Bonne, Matty Molta, Mary-Ella Raoul, Marie Helene Rose, Sherine Félicie, Abira Louange, Melissa Rambony, Edwige Kossenda Konwa, Petrina Victor, Catrina Simon, Olivier Sauer (coach) and Jourdane D’Offay (manager).
Three players won individual awards. They are: veteran Jerina Bonne who was named Best Blocker and her two daughters Marielle Bonne and Marie Hélene Rose – Best Receptionist and Best Server respectively.
Local league champions, City Ladies, in their first ever participation, and vice-champions Cascade, who have won the competition twice in 1999 and 2001, were the other two teams to represent Seychelles in the women's category in this year's CAVB Zone 7 Championship in Vacoas.
However, both failed to finish on the podium, with the bronze medal going to St Denis Olympique of Réunion, who defeated Gendarmerie Nationale Volleyball of Madagascar 3-0 in the third place play-off match.
This year’s event was the 27th edition of the annual CAVB Zone 7 regional competition, and was back after an enforced two-year absence due to COVID. It saw the participation of 15 men's and 13 women's teams from Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte and Réunion.
CAVB Zone 7 president, Kayseeven Teeroovengadum, declared himself "very happy with the quality of competition", which culminated in two thrilling finals.
In the men’s category, Seychelles’ Neo Boys, local champions of the last league competition to be held over two years ago, made their debut alongside vice-champions Beau Vallon, six-time winners of the CAVB Zone 7 competition, but both failed to reach the final four.
Defending champions Tampon Gecko of Reunion retained their crown by defeating home side Olympique Montagne Goyaves to win the title for a fourth time. The bronze medal was won by St Denis Olympique of Réunion, who defeated Faucon Flack Camp-Ithier of Mauritius 3-0.
The last men's team from Seychelles to win the trophy was Beau Vallon when they returned from Mauritius with the gold medal in 2013.
