For the third year running, the Malta Volleyball Association has registered a growth in clubs participating in the national leagues. In fact, the number of affiliated clubs has now risen to 15 which contrasts sharply with the five in competition five years ago. This, in turn, resulted in an increase in teams playing in four senior leagues – three for women and one for men Paola Hibs Candy, Flyers, Fleur de Lys and Toyota PlayVolley are playing in the women’s Super League.Flyers are currently leading the table with six points, having beaten Paola and Fleur de Lys, but losing to PlayVolley.

Six teams are playing in the women’s Division One.Flyers Global Capital, Mellieħa and Tatara Rabat are favourites for the honours while Paola Hibs, Flyers U-18 and PlayVolley are all looking to continue with the progress shown last season.Newcomers Mġarr and Phoe-nix Melita Unipol are featuring in women’s Division Two along with the more established sides from Qormi, TGIF and PlayVolley School.

The men’s Super League has seven teams in competition.  Attard Tenovar are the early leaders after three wins from as many outings but FDL Office Group are hot on their heels with with two wins out of two games.The direct encounter between these two teams will leave a bearing on the final standings although this is likely to be the most contested league in many years as the challenges of Valletta San Antonio and Aloysians should not be discarded.  New teams, Spiker Boys and Yahoos, confirmed the upward trend in the local game as both sides boast a good mix of new blood and experienced veterans who had graced volleyball courts before.

Due to the increased number of games, this season games will be played at two venues.  The Cottonera Sports Complex will be hosting matches on Saturdays and Sunday mornings while the Sunday afternoon programme will be staged at the University Sports Hall.