THE 2009 Zone Six Volleyball Championships are set for their first serves this morning at two venues in Durban after organisers decided to have men playing at the Steve Biko Istitute of Technology and Tongaat.

A meeting where draws were held and tournament format announced was held last night at the Steve Biko Institute of Technology leaving the onus on teams to try and win their first matches which begin today.

Bulawayo is involved with crack side Railstars carrying the hopes of a region which previously enjoyed national glory through Blue Ribbon Raiders, Bulawayo Raiders, Highlanders and Unit Fairbridge.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe sponsored men's team would love to do better than their sister club Railstars who did not make it to the last eight of the women's regional championships three months ago. The women even had their bus stolen from outside their hotel.

This forced the parastatal this time around to organise public transport for the team to Durban.

Size Vardhan the Sports Director of the Durban Institute of Technology, as the Steve Biko College was called until recently, confirmed late in the afternoon that his college would offer facilities for a pre-match meeting that would also be used for the tournament draw.

"Mine is to provide the venue, I have little information except that the college will place a team in the tournament."

The organisers will come tonight for the pre-match meeting and draw, so far everything has gone well with us here where the men's games will be played while the women will be at Tongaat," said Vardhan.

Farai Muteveri, the team spokesperson remained upbeat before last night's draw that his charges would do the country proud. There was an air of confidence among the players before the team's late evening briefing which was subsequently followed by a workout on the Durban Beach Front.

"This should not be a major issue with the team and players. For the second session of the day, we will loosen up on the beach with the players," said Muteveri.

George Chico, another of the Railstars officials, and vice-chairman Tichaona Muganhu toured the facility to be used by the men's team.

"This is incredible, it's top-of-the-world," said Muganhu.

The men's team will play on a well laid artificial surface that is used for soccer, hockey, five-a-side soccer among the indoor sports. The Zone Six Volleyball Championships bring together the top teams in Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe, through Unit Fairbridge, are past winners of the tournament. They were victors in the 1993 segment held at the City Sports Centre in Harare. Hawks and Jewels were expected in Durban last night bringing Zimbabwe's representation to three teams.

Muteveri of Railstars was yesterday confident that Zimbabwe would do well in the event. "We have the capacity to be the team to beat. We have to work hard as a team to try and win this tournament," said Tawanda Makombe, the team's captain and power hitter.