Joel wins selection

HE may have started playing volleyball only three years ago, but Palmwoods’ Joel Birch is already excelling at the sport, most recently qualifying for the Under 18 Queensland Men’s volleyball team.

Joel, 16, was selected for the team in May and has also been selected as a shadow player for the Queensland Schoolboys team. He now heads off to Perth for the National Volleyball Championships on July 4.

He trains three days a week and also hopes to be one of the two selected shadow players to travel with the Queensland Schoolboys team to New Zealand in August.

Now completing year 12 at the Christian Outreach College, Joel would like to further his volleyball and also hopes to further his studies in computer programming or teaching.

"I had been aiming to play with the Australian team but due to height restrictions, I am now aiming for the Queensland team instead," he said. "The height requirement for the Australian team is 190cm and I’m measuring in at 186cm so I might be lucky enough if I grow another four centimetres."

Joel would like to thank the Palmwoods Woombye Lions Club and Wades Supermarket for their support in helping him raise funds for his trip to Perth.