Super League Opening Weekend: Dobra excited by new concept

Born in Albania and growing up in Greece, the 23-year-old has already played for the likes of SPA Karditsas, AGS Giannina and Panepirotikos, prior to his arrival in the UK. 

But after joined Docklands (pictured above) last season, having previously played for University of Westminster, he is relishing his first full campaign at the Kingston Arena-based club. 

The Opening Weekend on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October – where each of the 20 top-flight clubs, 10 men’s teams and 10 women will play each other at the same National Volleyball Centre venue in Kettering – is, Dobra feels, a great way to start. 

“We have already started pre-season training to get ready and it’s going to be a really exciting season that I’m looking forward to,” said Dobra. 

“It’s going to be really interesting to see how all the teams together in one weekend where we are going to get a good look at all the others we are going to be playing over the course of the season. 

“Having all the teams together should make it a really good atmopshere with supporters of all the different teams in one place.” 

Docklands finished in fourth place in the 2022-23 Super League table with 10 wins from their 18 matches, as Durham Palatinates ran out as overall winners. 

But Dobra, pictured below, believes Richmond can improve on that this time round and have the ability within their ranks to challenge for the title. 

He said: “I think we can take those next steps to be right up there and step by step we are getting better. 

“We have a really good coach in place and the structure of the club and the support it gives us every game and in training is fantastic. 

“We also have some good young players coming through and hopefully they can eventually make their way onto the first team roster.” 

Like most sports, volleyball was stopped in its tracks by the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the early stages of 2020. 

But the Super League and NVL have bounced back strongly since then and Dobra expects the standards to continue to rise as the seasons go on. 

“Some of the players who came over to play moved back home or did not come back because of the Pandemic and Brexit has also had an effect around that same time,” he said. 

“But the league is steadily building back up again and the standard is improving. There are a lot of Junior players starting to come through – and that is really great to see.” 

Buy your Opening Weekend tickets 

Tickets are now available to buy for Opening Weekend, in either tiered or floor seating.  

Tiered seating prices are £15 for an adult day ticket (aged 15 to 64), £45 for a family day ticket (two adults, two children), £7.50 for a concession day ticket (U15 or 65 and over), £25 for a general weekend ticket and £12.50 for a weekend concession ticket.  

Floored seating prices are £12 for a general day ticket (aged 15 to 64), £36 for a family day ticket (two adults, two children), £6 for a concession day ticket (U15 or 65 and over), £18 for a general weekend ticket and £9 for a weekend concession ticket.  

Tickets entitle the bearer to watch all five matches for the day purchased.  

To purchase tickets for Saturday’s matches, click here. To purchase tickets for Sunday’s matches, click here.