Rachelle Casley is thrilled to be Warrnambool Volleyball Association's first female president.
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Casley was made president at the club's recent annual general meeting.
The 23-year-old, who has been playing volleyball for about a dozen years, said she was keen to give back to the association.
"It's a massive part of my life so I'd like to give back to the association because they've done so much for me," she said.
Casley said it was an honour to become the first female in the role.
"It's very exciting," she said.
"I seem to have a lot of support from current and past members."
She has received many congratulations since taking the position.
The volleyballer said she appreciated the support because "it's a big step for anyone to take".
She said it was great women had the opportunity to go for positions like this whereas in the past it may not have been possible.
Casley brings plenty of experience to the role, having been on the WVA committee for about six years.
She has also been on the Phantoms Volleyball Club committee since September 2019.
It's a Victorian Volleyball League club based in Western Victoria, formed in 2011 to support regional players.
Casley had aspired to play for the Phantoms before injury ruled her out last year.
The long-time South West Pirates player missed a large chunk of volleyball in the past year after she injured her anterior cruciate ligament at the 2019 seaside tournament.
She had her sights set on returning to the court in June for the Gippsland-based country championships.
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But her plans were flipped when the coronavirus pandemic restrictions kicked in.
She said the association considered itself fortunate it got to hold its major seaside tournament in early March.
"We got very lucky with the seaside tournament, if it was a week later we probably wouldn't been able to have it," she said.
Now all games and training are suspended until further notice. The hope is to return after Easter.
The Arc stadium in Warrnambool, where WVA matches are played, is closed as part of the COVID-19 restrictions.
The June country championships have been cancelled and state league competition has been postponed until the start of May.
Casley knows she has taken on the role during an unprecedented situation.
"We've been put in limbo with everything," she said.
But she maintains a vision for the the presidency when volleyball returns.
"I'd just like to see the competition running as it is and keep improving it," she said.
The talented volleyballer said the association had three mixed domestic competitions.
Casley said one goal was to continue strengthening the top grade.
Another priority is to create opportunities for everyone to play and for new people to get involved.
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