Dandenong Cossacks players (from left) Abdel Raffass, Paul Pavlov, Steve Thomson, Andre Tseberg, Tim O’Callaghan, Adrian Tseberg, Boris Mimic, with coach Nick Shashkoff and captain Michael Kozulin, outside the new State Volleyball Centre at Dandenong’s Stud Road Basketball Stadium last week.By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG’S own state league volleyball team cannot wait to serve, set and spike to its heart’s content at the city’s very own State Volleyball Centre.
Construction of the $7.5 million centre kicked off this month at the site of the Dandenong Basketball Stadium, which will adjoin the new volleyball centre.
It will have eight volleyball courts, including six regular and two beach, and will house the state’s peak volleyball body, Volleyball Victoria.
The Dandenong Cossacks volleyball club is arguably the most excited of the state’s clubs because the world-class facility will be in its own back yard.
The club currently trains at the Russian Reception Centre in Kirkham Road, Dandenong, and plays at Springers Leisure Centre.
Men’s senior team captain, Michael Kozulin, said there were many things to look forward to about the new volleyball centre.
“It’s going to have a better floor, a higher ceiling, and pretty much everything else to make it a world-class facility,” he said.
“It will help establish volleyball not only at a local level but across the state.
“When we heard about it, we thought it was great, but even better that it will be in Dandenong, which will help local teams such as us.”
The Cossacks are this year’s state league premiership favourites, Mr Kozulin said, but the club is still after new members to bolster its presence.
Mr Kozulin urged anyone interested in volleyball to contact the club and become part of the volleyball community. Those interested should contact Natasha on 0400 505 764.
