The year 9 Daylesford Secondary College student was selected in the under-17 state team and will represent Victoria at the Australian Volleyball Championships in Queensland in September. 

Harraghy, who has played football for eight years, said he was convinced by friends to join the Daylesford Volleyball Association. 

It was the “good environment” that first attracted him to volleyball, while Harraghy said his skills and fitness from football had helped in picking up the sport. 

The association’s competition and tournament director Colin Priest saw promise in Harraghy in his short time with the organisation and encouraged him to try out for the state team. 

“I thought I would have needed at least a few years to work my way in,” Harraghy said.

“But when I got asked (to try out) I thought I’d take the opportunity to learn some new things.”

Harraghy was among a group of about 50 juniors during the selection process, where he had to go through a series of volleyball drills.

But with no expectation on how he would do, Harraghy was not nervous and kept his focus on doing what he normally did at training. 

“I was really happy, excited, proud (to make the team),” Harraghy said.

“(My friends and family) were quite proud, everyone got around me... they were quite happy for me.” 

Harraghy is one of 10 young players in the west/metro squad, which is under the instruction of head coach Zac Hermans.

He is excited to meet his new teammates and compete in the Australian championships. 

“I’m looking forward to hopefully getting the win and just the trip itself because I don’t really get to go anywhere much,” Harraghy said. 

As for the future, Harraghy said he never set any goals but would take whatever opportunities came his way.