(20/12/1999)
As the door of one year closes and the next opens, the players of both Riga's National League sides can look forward to fresh, if different, challenges. For the Men, the New Year questions their ability to rise higher in Division One. For the Women, their resolution must be to survive in Division Two.
Few if any of the founding fathers of the club would have foreseen its steady and consistent rise since its creation back in the late 1940s. Some of the exiled Latvians remain in the area and still associated with the club. In recent years they have seen the Men's side claim the Second Division Championship and establish themselves in Division One. The Women's side has also seen success. Promotion from Division Three last season finds them playing their highest standard of volleyball ever. But what of the future?
"Volleyball needs to grow," is the opinion of Men's captain Tom Young. "We're playing our part through the junior sessions we're running before each of our home games. But we also need to raise our profile - and progressing up the League is part of that process. We've made great strides in the last couple of years and we're looking more and more like a settled Division One outfit. This year we need to make the top half of the table. I'm sure we'll do it."
The task ahead for Riga's Women is also one of improvement. In their case, however, it is improve or be relegated. "We've taken time to get used to the higher level," agrees captain Lynette Purkis. "We've also had one or two people missing at crucial times which hasn't helped. Our performances of late have got better, even if we haven't had the results to prove it. This year we've got to believe in ourselves. I'm sure if we play with confidence, we'll get the results and survive."