ORARA High School’s volleyball dynasty continues after “the Thunder” stormed to the 2025 North Coast title with a clinical 3-0 win over arch-rivals Murwillumbah at Sportz Central.
In his first season at the helm, new coach Arlen Horton has seamlessly stepped into the shoes of former mentor Alex Dujin.
Dujin, who guided Orara to the 2024 title before moving into a supporting role, was on the sideline at Sportz Central soaking it all in.
“With the mature and inspirational guidance of Coach Horton and leadership from our senior players, this new wave of Thunder has truly brought their own brand of attacking volleyball,” Dujin said.
“Coach Horton has done a superb job building a dynamic mix of players who’ve now stamped themselves as the shining light of Orara Volleyball.”
The Thunder’s road to the crown began late last year when they took out the Coffs Harbour Zone Tournament in December. A tricky semifinal clash with Melville High – a repeat of their 2022 showdown – pushed Orara to four sets after the Thunder dropped the third, but the reigning champs responded emphatically to close it out 3-1 and book their ticket to State.
With training sessions spilling into recess and lunch, intensity lifted heading into the grand final – a decider brimming with history.
Murwillumbah and Orara had split their past two North Coast finals, with Murwillumbah prevailing in 2018 and Orara taking revenge a year later.
The 2025 edition would settle the score.
“Bragging rights were on the line,” Dujin said.
“This was about legacy.”
What followed was a thunderous performance – in every sense of the word.
Before a packed crowd at the so-called “Thunderdome”, Orara seized momentum from the opening point.
The student section erupted. The roof shook. The team responded.
“Coach Horton rotated his players superbly, leading with poise and determination,” Dujin said.
The Thunder never looked back, taking the first two sets before putting the exclamation point on a 3-0 sweep with a dominant third.
Murwillumbah fought bravely, but Orara’s defensive grit, clever rotations, and unwavering composure proved too much.
Beyond the scoreboard, the Thunder’s cultural diversity – a mix of Indigenous Australians and students from Yazidi, Thai, Filipino, Chinese, and Myanmar backgrounds – once again underpinned their identity and success.
“There’s a real buzz around our training courts – everyone is welcome, everyone belongs,” Dujin said.
“It’s the Orara way: safe, respectful, inclusive.”
School officials also paid tribute to the Coffs Harbour Volleyball Association, including past Thunder players, for their role in developing the squad and officiating the decider.
Orara and Murwillumbah now turn their focus to the NSW State Championships in Term 3 at Sydney Olympic Park, where the Thunder will chase glory among the state’s top 20 schools.
The Orara team thanks its major supporters including the McDonald Munro Group and, as always, the thunderous student body.
“To our players, our staff, our supporters – RA-RA Thunder!” concluded Dujin.
By David WIGLEY
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