Our Association
In 1959 the Geelong Volleyball Association formalized a competitive Mens Division.
Games were first played in the CMF (Citizens Military Forces, precursor to today’s Army Reserve) hall in Bellarine Street. There were only six teams in the first competition, all in A grade.
The following year the competition moved to the YMCA hall in Yarra Street, and a B grade was introduced. Most teams in the competition at this stage had a European background – Polish, Croatian, Russian and Latvian – with a few Australians taking an interest. One of those teams was from RAAF from the base at Laverton.
The next year the competition moved again, to the Palais Royal, on Moorabool Street, where it was played on Tuesday and Thursday nights. At that time there were 8 teams in A grade and 10 in B grade.
In 1968 the association acquired the court at the Belmont Common and the name of the association was changed to the Geelong Amateur Volleyball Association. The committee resolved to introduce a womens competition as well as a C grade for men.
In the early 1970’s GAVA moved to the current location then called the Corio Leisure Time Centre. At the time the association was hosting up to 70 teams.