Harbour Dominates 2025 Inter-Provincial Volleyball Championships in Wellington
Over the King’s Birthday long weekend, Aotearoa’s top volleyball talent converged at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Wellington for the 2025 Inter-Provincial Championships (IPC). The event brought together teams from across the motu to compete in six divisions: U17, U19, and Senior Open grades for both men and women.
Across three action-packed days, the spirit of poirewa was on full display, with fierce competition matched by a strong sense of whanaungatanga. Athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters contributed to a vibrant, inclusive and high-energy environment—demonstrating that volleyball in Aotearoa is thriving at all levels.
A System Built for Success: Harbour’s Winning Formula
Harbour Volleyball stood out once again, claiming four gold medals across the divisions and continuing their dominance in the Open Men’s grade with their fourth consecutive title.
“The success of Harbour is due to a long-term plan to grow volleyball from the grassroots,” said Rob Tarr, Harbour Gamed Development Manager Head Coach of the U19 Men’s team.
_“We focus on supporting schools, building a strong playing base, and investing in quality coaches. Players like Johann Timmer, Greg Vukets, and Will Watson (MVP) are all products of a strategic system that began in 2011 under the Harbour Volleyball Committee. Many of our senior athletes also coach locally.
It’s not a one-year success story—it’s the outcome of engaging 17 out of 21 high schools in the region, providing regular development opportunities for students, running a competitive schools league, and supporting strong clubs to offer clear pathways.
While the system is working, we’re constantly adapting to meet the needs of our players. The ultimate goal is to grow the game for everyone.”_
Gratitude for Partners and Supporters
Harbour Volleyball acknowledges the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) and other partners Pub Charity and Four Winds for their continued support, which helped enable young athletes across the country to participate.
2025 IPC Medalists
Open Men
🥇 Harbour 🥈 Canterbury 🥉 Harbour B
Open Women
🥇 Harbour 🥈 WECA 🥉 Tasman
U19 Men
🥇 Waikato 🥈 Harbour 🥉 Canterbury
U19 Women
🥇 Canterbury 🥈 Bay of Plenty 🥉 Harbour
U17 Men
🥇 Harbour 🥈 Bay of Plenty 🥉 Wellington
U17 Women
🥇 Harbour 🥈 Waikato 🥉 Tasman
ENDS
Media Contact:
Rob Tarr – Game Development Manager
Harbour Volleyball Association
Mobile: 027 786 5539 Email: gdm@harbourvolleyball.co.nz