About the academy
The Volleyball Academy
The Volleyball Academy (TVA) provides adaptable and high-quality coaching to athletes and their commitment to improvement. This development is fostered through a positive and supportive volleyball community. TVA is committed to ensuring all athletes feel a sense of belonging. Athlete’s passion for volleyball is nurtured and encouraged here at TVA.
Coach Jo
Meet Coach Jo, a passionate volleyball enthusiast who has been immersed in the sport since 2002. Her journey began in the USA, where she played volleyball throughout intermediate school and continued all the way through university.
During her time at Sul Ross State University, Coach Jo not only played but also served as the captain of the volleyball team for four fantastic years.
As her love for the game deepened, Coach Jo transitioned to the coaching side of volleyball. She contributed to the development of incoming players at the university before making her way to Corpus Christi, Texas.
While pursuing her Master of Science degree, Coach Jo coached for a local club team, and later spent two years with the Corpus Christi Force.
In 2017, Coach Jo made the move to New Zealand for a scientific role, but her passion for volleyball called her back in 2021.
Over the past three years, she has been actively involved with teams at Victoria University – Wellington (VUW) and Wellington Girls’ College (WGC). Notably, Coach Jo led the WGC Senior A volleyball team to an impressive first-place finish in Division 4 at Nationals early in 2023.
In the spirit of fostering growth and development in Wellington’s volleyball community, Coach Jo founded The Volleyball Academy (TVA) in the past year. TVA aims to provide opportunities for young players to compete at higher levels and cultivate a positive community of athletes. Looking ahead, Coach Jo envisions expanding TVA’s programs for kids, adding club teams, and focusing on coach development.
The academy warmly welcomes players of all levels who are coachable and open-minded.
Join Coach Jo and the TVA community on this exciting journey of volleyball excellence!
Coach Mackenzie
A lover of all things volleyball, and raised in the volleyball hub of Bay of Plenty, she played and refereed all through her secondary schooling. Following high school, she continued playing at club level for Trinity Club in Dublin, as well as for Capital Wolves, here in Wellington. She also represented Trinity College Dublin and Victoria University of Wellington for their respective national championships.
After meeting Coach Jo in 2021, she was inspired by her vision for the development of young players and the establishment of a positive and thriving volleyball community for the newest generation of athletes.
This led her to become involved in the management of teams at Victoria University and begin coaching VolleyKids within TVA. More recently, she has also joined the coaching team for Wellington Girls College and Club Kaos.
Coach Higgins
Coach Higgins has coached in the Wellington region at all levels – from beginners to representatives.
He is a National referee and coaches at Victoria University, Wellington Girls’ College, and Club Kaos.
Coach Joel
Kia Ora, my name is Joel. I am a middle blocker hitter with a passion for the sport and dedication to constant improvement.
I have a background in Rowing, and I am always ready to contribute to the team’s success, no matter the sport.
Coach Cliff
Hey there! I’m Cliff, and I’ve been all about volleyball for the past two years.
My journey on the court has been nothing short of amazing, filled with spikes, dives, and loads of fun. Early this year, I decided to step up my game by diving into coaching, thanks to the guidance of some awesome, experienced player-coaches. Now, I’m dedicated to helping my team as well as individuals smash their goals, serve up some wins, and enjoy every moment on the court.
Whether I’m playing or coaching, I bring energy, excitement, and a whole lot of heart to the game! Looking forward to meeting you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a 6-2 rotation compared to a 5-1?
A 6-2 has two setters in the rotation always setting from the back. When the setter comes up to the front row, they sub out with a right-side hitter so there is always three hitters.
In a 5-1, there is one setter that sets all around. They will set from the right back and front.
What basic skills do I need to play volleyball?
A skilled volleyball player should have excellent hand/eye coordination and power. The athlete should have a combination of speed, balance, and agility as fundamental skills.
Quick thinking and reasoning are also invaluable skills one should possess.
What is a libero?
A libero is a defensive specialist that can substitute on for anyone in the back row. They are not allowed to serve (in New Zealand) or play in the front row. They must wear a different color jersey so it is easy to tell when the player enters the court.
The libero has fantastic ball control skills and is great at reading the game.
What are the different types of serves?
There are five basic types of serves in volleyball: underhand, overhand, float, topspin, and a jump serve.
A jump serve can be done by using a float or topspin technique.