Five Eastern Bay volleyballers are off to Australia as part of the New Zealand men’s side playing at the Oceania Zonal Continental Qualifier.

Campbell Forsyth, Maia Westrupp, Rob Maxwell, and Jamie Julian have been named in the Volley Blacks to contest the qualifier from December 18 to 22, while Brendon-Ray Horlock, a deputy principal at Trident High School, is assistant coach.

Maxwell, a teacher at Whakatāne High School, is stoked to be playing for New Zealand.

“I’m really excited to be back playing for my country after an almost 18-year sabbatical,” he said. “It’s a dream come true to get the chance to represent New Zealand and I’m incredibly proud to have been selected.”

Maxwell said it was great having a couple of familiar faces to line up alongside.

“It’s awesome having Maia and Campbell selected as well, who I’ve been in the trenches with at club level; it makes the transition so much smoother.

“It’s really cool to be able to share this massive milestone with them.”

Forsyth, Maxwell and Westrupp were part of an East Coast Old Boys that had an outstanding season.

Forsyth said it was a proud moment any time he got to wear the silver fern and he was pleased to be representing New Zealand again across the Tasman.

Both players expect some tough competition, especially against Australia, who run a world-class programme and have some professional volleyballers.

The Volley Blacks will also come up against Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

Westrupp said he was excited to be part of the team.

“It’s not every day you get to represent your country. The thought of competing against international talent adds to the excitement. We get to find out how good we are at an international level.”

He said it was extra special seeing Whakatāne represented so strongly in the side.

“Fourteen athletes are selected, and we have four that are from Whakatāne – it’s crazy.

“Knowing it’s your teammates from club level and they’re from your hometown, it’s definitely something special.”

Having moved south, this season Julian played for Canterbury but remains an Eastern Bay boy at heart.

The four earning selection in the New Zealand team shows that pathways are there for others wanting to follow the volleyball route.

This is a self-funded trip and the players would appreciate any support forthcoming from local businesses.