Honouring the Coaches: The heartbeat behind 516 teams at AVSC

Every single athlete can not become their best version of themselves without the guidance and support of their coaches. 

At Australian Volleyball Schools Cup in 2024, there are 160 schools with 516 teams competing, with every single one having a coach courtside to support them in their journey. 

With AVSC’s popularity amongst its athletes, it is common to see many return to their schools after graduation to carry on the torch as coach. 

This year, one of these coaches is Bailey Maynard, who is riding the wave of every game with her Holland Park Year 9 Boys team in Division 1. 

As a Holland Park graduate and player herself, it was only right that she should kickstart her coaching journey with the school that helped her fall in love with the sport. 

“I first got into volleyball in Grade 7 when I was at Holland Park,” Maynard said. 

“They have a program through the school and I got into it accidentally at first, but I’ve fallen in love with the sport and haven’t left since. 

“Since starting my coaching journey at Holland Park, I’ve since branched out from there to coach at a club and also at state level.”

As every coach and athlete at AVSC knows well, games can’t be played without those early morning training sessions, but for Bailey, getting to see her team’s progression makes all those early starts worth it. 

“Getting up early to coach is always tough, but watching their improvement and the rate at which they improve makes it all worth it,” she said. 

“Coming to tournaments is also special and getting to watch them gel as a team and implement every little bit of hard work they’ve put in at their 6:30am trainings is what makes it fun. 

“And that’s why you do it, to see that improvement.

“I’m also really lucky because the boys that I coach make it worth it in itself.

“This group of boys have been my first team I ever coached, starting at the start of last year we have been together and I plan to continue to take them through until they graduate.”

As many coaches know, coming back to coach at the school you attended is something special and allows you to give back to the next generation of volleyballers. 

“Coaching at Holland Park for me feels different because I was once a student there, so there’s a whole legacy in coming back,” Maynard said.

“I also think there’s something special about coming back to wear the polo as a coach and not a player because you’ve once been on that court with your coach on the sideline and you’ve been in the same position as the team now.

“AVSC always feels more special because we all get to stay as a team and have the opportunity to build those core memories with your team. 

“I have AVSC memories as a player that I will never forget, and now as a coach it helps to build a stronger connection with my players that helps me be able to help them more in the future.”

With AVSC nearing its final days, Bailey’s coaching highlight of the week has been watching her players – particularly her middles – grow in confidence. 

“My highlight of the week so far has been watching my middles improve,” she said. 

“Yesterday alone they were involved in every few sets of the ball, and they killed it.

“I’m watching those boys find their skin and find their confidence and that’s definitely a memory I want to highlight.”

Be sure to thank all your coaches this week at AVSC for the hard work and dedication they put into helping you achieve on-court success.