[mr_dimsum]

I'm moving to Hong Kong pending my acceptance into the City University of Hong Kong. I'm preparing everything in advance, so I can prioritize myself and have a sense of organization once I'm in and about the city, and one important asset of my life is my sporting activities..

In particular, volleyball! I was ultimately wondering, for one if anybody plays, and realistically how often it would be possible to find some indoor-ball? In Canada, it is common to find drop-in programs where you pay a fee to get in, and it is an organized program that has good turnouts often. I have noticed however, in Hong Kong from what I've seen so far online, that this is not the case however. From what I've been able to see, there are good outdoor courts with good turnouts, but for indoor play, the only time you'd get to find games is when you meet the right people and show up at the right time, when people rent out gym's solely for that purpose of volleyball.

I've also seen leagues, but can somebody just educate me a bit on how this works? I'd love for somebody whom's actually played and/or is active within the volleyball community in Hong Kong, or know how it at least works, and can provide information on it!


Thanks in advance!

[dipper]

If you're going to be attending a university then your best bet would seem to be to join the university volleyball club/team. I guess you can go to the student services section of the university website to find out the details or e-mail them.

It's unlikely that it will be organised in exactly the same way that volleyball is organised in the particular town you come from in Canada though, how likely is that?

[mr_dimsum]

I'd love to join the volleyball team at school, but I don't know whether I'd be able to make it. To my knowledge, the roster is quite small. While I'm hopeful my skills might allow me a chance to be on the team, it's not something I'm utterfly confident about.

Does anybody know any places to play or how the games are typically set up around the city?


Thanks,
Danny

[spaceman]

what level of play are you looking for?

[mr_dimsum]

To be honest, I'd be looking for anything. Preferrably indoors. I am probably an advanced player, but not as high of a level to have strong confidence I would make a university team. That's the best way I can describe my skill level.

But regardless, whether recreational, intermediate, or advanced, I would be open to playing, as I'm just basically trying to get a grasp as to where and when and how often I would be able to play.

It's a large part of my life, and I'd most definitely try out for the school team, but surely there has to be more places to play I would imagine (asides from beach that is).

[dipper]

It doesn't really matter if you're picked for the team or not, if you join the university volleyball club I'm sure there will be official games, informal games, beginners learning the game, people who play in games outside the university as well, whatever. It would just be the obvious easiest place to start making contacts if you're attending the university and interested in playing volleyball.

If you're really worried about it you can e-mail them before you come to HK.

In terms of places to play then you don't need to worry about that, there are plenty of courts available for booking, both public courts at recreation centres and also I'm sure there will be courts at your uni. The problem with a sport like volleyball for someone new to the city would not be the court but presumably gathering together enough people to get a game going. Which brings you back to meeting the people at the university volleyball club.

[spaceman]

Since you seem to be a fairly avid player, I agree that you should probably be able to find a place on the varsity volleyball team. The level of play isn't that great in Hong Kong, but certainly competitive. Get in touch with your school's coach early, as it will give them an opportunity to potentially save a spot for you.

There is also a men's club volleyball system. As far as I know, there are A-tier and B-tier leagues. Top A-level teams are better than the best uni teams, while the B-level teams are significantly worse than the uni-teams. Only catch is that most of the clubs practice and play out in the New Territories. Many people play on both their uni team and a club team. Club teams probably only practice once or twice a week.

a few clubs list their team info here:
http://www.volleyball.com.hk/en/

and if you can read chinese, look here (though i actually have no idea what's on this page):
http://www.vbahk.org.hk/

I'm also from Canada, and I'm also an avid volleyball player. It's tough to gage where you'd feel most comfortable, but I'm sure there's something for you here. As a point of reference, I would say that any varsity uni player in Canada would be amongst the best players in HK.

It's a different style of game here too - people are shorter, better at certain aspects of the game and worse at others. Might take a bit of adjusting.

I've had lots of fun playing on my team. Tell me more about yourself? Where did you play previously? What position do you play? How is your level of Chinese?

I've also run into some casual drop-ins, but I'll tell you more about that privately, if you're interested. Of course, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[mr_dimsum]

spaceman,

Thanks for the amazing information. You've been great help. I've talked to a few people that belong to some volleyball clubs. I'm both perplexed and amazed and how well it is organized, with the teams, and the coaching and everything. While I do see this in our region of Canada as well, they are mostly restricted to children and teenagers, and don't really have much focus on adult play.

As a person whose witnessed volleyball play already, would you consider university teams arguably close to the equivalent of some good level high school teams? I've seen some videos of City U versus IVE, and I'd have to say that the level seemed reminiscent of our high school's team, with maybe a slight edge perhaps.

As for myself, it's been a while since I've actually played very competively, and asides from being in a few leagues, I don't know where my level stands today. I'm not very tall, I stand at about 175 cm.

I am a Canadian born chinese.. My Cantonese pronunciation is at a high level, but I would contribute my vocabulary to being poor, as being exposed to chinese culture is hard and come little in Ottawa.

spaceman, have you played in any varsity teams in Canada? What division is your club team in? I'd love to get to know some people from Canada in Hong Kong with the same passion. I don't know how my skill level fairs in Hong Kong, but I'd love to give getting on the City U team a shot. I'd have to be realistic and say I probably wouldn't make it onto a Canadian university level team though.. I neither have the height, vertical, or finesse as the players I know on some of the teams in Ottawa.

Thanks for going so in detail on the reply. I'd love to know the drop-in's as well. I only know of one, and that is a program organized by something called Freda volleyball or something.


Cheers,
Danny

[spaceman]

Glad to help.

There are very decent uni teams here and some not so good - not sure where City U fits in that mix. I'll ask my teammates how they rank. I'd probably guess that the general level of play is just a bit better than in high school, but similar. Again, it's a really different style, with more emphasis on ball control and defence.

The good news is that I'm sure there's something here for you. I'd try to do a bit of training in the summer to get back in the swing of things and be at your best when you arrive. As for height, you'd be surprised how short people are here! What position do you play?

I used to play in university, but I was probably the worst player on my team Mind you, I suppose the standard of volleyball out west is typically just a shade higher than most eastern canadian schools at the university level, but still I'm quite comfortable playing on one of the better teams here in hk, which says something about the level here.

Good that you can speak a little chinese. Mine's nonexistant, though I'm also a CBC. A little Chinese goes a long way, since some of the coaches don't speak much English (you'll find that most players speak quite well). I actually don't understand any of the instruction, so it's kind of strange. That might be worth keeping in mind if you're trying to get in touch with your CityU coach via email - he may not be able to read it if in English. Try to get someone to write it out in Chinese as well.

[gaston]

Hmm interesting thread...

Spaceman,
I am looking for a team to join, where do you play? How does it work for a non-chinese speaker?

I played Swedish league division 2, setter, wing player etc. Used to be ok (before putting on about 15 kg)

Gaston