The 2019 edition of the annual TVL Corporate Volleyball Wellness Shield has been run and won by Wilco Hardware which defeated last year’s champions Holiday Inn in two exciting, action packed sets.
Vanuatu Volleyball Federation in partnership with the major sponsor Telecom Vanuatu Limited, hosted 36 teams competing in the tournament over two months, with the finals event on Thursday night bringing it all to an exciting conclusion.
“What an event, both teams were good and I think the best have won today, TVL as you may have seen have always encouraging all the sports activities and supporting. TVL as a corporate company we want to support this kind of development among the communities that we are trying to build a stronger and healthier nation through sports,” said TVL CEO Tangavel Barlen Lutchmoodoo.
“Today’s match is a very tough one that our team did not think we would win the shield because last year we came up against the same team and lost to them but today we are overjoyed and glad about turnout,” said Douglas Regenvanu, player from the Wilco 2 team.
The Wilco 2 team won 1st prize of 100,000vt and will have the team’s name engraved on the perpetual Shield; 2nd prize, won by 2018 title holders Holiday Inn was six 6 Smartphones (one for each player) with Reality Tours winning 30,000vt for 3rd prize. A bonus prize was given for Best Dressed Team across the eight weeks – 27,000vt which went to the AVL team.
The tournament was played as a 4-a-side competition and was run weekly on Thursday nights beginning on June 6th, and saw participants putting a lot of effort into making it to the finals. There was also great support on the sidelines each week from family, friends and colleagues.
The runner-up, Holiday Inn, said that they were disappointed about the outcome of the match but were also very pleased with the event overall.
“I feel sad but happy too because it is a game (and) every game has a winner and a loser. It’s sad for us but we feel happy and alright about it. To all other companies who (did) not participate in this year’s event, (they) must be involved in next year’s tournament,” said Melissa Yalulu.
In this competition, the emphasis is on enjoyment and social atmosphere. To build team spirit and promote the benefits of exercise and good health, to meet new people and also build relationships between organizations.
“I am very happy that our team, Reality Tours came to win 3rd place in the TVL Corporate Volleyball Wellness shield,” said Felix Andrew, a member of that team.
“It is also the team’s first time to be part of this event. On behalf of the team I would like to thank TVL for organising events like this for people to participate in, instead of hanging around and doing nothing.” VVF would like to express our huge appreciation to all the participating teams, VVF referees and officials and hope to see all teams participating in the tournament in 2020. Special thanks to TVL also for putting on a delicious barbeque at the Stade courts on the final night in appreciation of all participants; and not forgetting the much-appreciated support from Azure Pure Water, which supplied water stations at the courts for all to access across the tournament.
