Horsham to host 2021 volleyball Victorian Country Championships

The 2021 Victorian Country Championships will come to Horsham in June after several other associations did not nominate to host the tournament due to COVID-19.

Volleyball Horsham's David Berry said it was an excellent result for the region.

"This will be the fourth time we've hosted the champs. The last time we ran it was in 2017, and the place was just chockablock for all three days," he said.

"We normally only get to host it once every six years, so this is a fantastic result."

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While other associations were unsure if they could manage potential COVID-related restrictions, Mr Berry said Horsham was well suited to the challenge.

The Horsham Basketball Stadium, St Brigids, and Horsham College will all be utilised as venues.

"Knowing full well we're not in a normal situation, anything could happen between now and next year," Mr Berry said.

"We're quietly confident that an event will be held, and even if it has to be held under strict COVID protocols, we have the advantage of having three venues.

"We have three really quality venues to use which really works in our advantage."

Mr Berry said he was expecting around 35 visiting teams and upward of 500 visitors to the town for the weekend.

"It's a good time of the year with not a lot of competing events and that sort of thing for accommodation and businesses," he said.

"It's a big boost to the town to get that many people coming here.

"We're really excited."

Mr Berry said it was also a major boost for the Wimmera's volleyball teams to have an elite event "in their own backyard".

The Men's Division One Team will be attempting to defend their 2019 title at the event.

"It's going to be a tremendous event, even just for our own participation in Horsham," he said. "It gives people something significant to aim for when they do come back to playing.

"We had eight teams participate when we last hosted the event in 2017. If we could get that many again, I'd be over the moon."

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