GB Senior Men's Sitting Volleyball team head to the European B ChampionshiP

From 20-24th November, our GB senior men’s sitting volleyball team will be heading to Burdur, Turkey for the ParaVolley Europe European B Championships.

Great Britain will be competing against Czechia, Georgia, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Türkiye to vy for a place in the European Championships in 2025.

Having competed in October in the PVE Bronze Nations League, the GB senior team have continued their preparation this month.

The selected team

MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday 22 November 2024

15:00 GEO - GBR

19:00 GBR - CZE

Saturday 23 November 2024

14:00 FRA - GBR

18:30 GBR - LTU

Sunday 24 November 2024

11:15 GBR - TUR

17:15 NED - GBR

COMMUNICATION

The schedule of matches, results, standings, photos, and videos will be posted on the competition specific webpage: https://tournaments.paravolley.eu/ecb2024

All the games will be live streamed on the ParaVolley Europe YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaVolleyEuropeLive

Videos of all the matches can also be found at the same YouTube page.

Photos from all the matches can be found at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paravolleyeurope/albums

Javier and Joaquin Bello make beach volleyball history in Rio

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Javier and Joaquin Bello have made history as the first British team to win gold at the Elite 16 level, the highest tier of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. In doing so, they turned a Cinderella story into reality by advancing from the qualifiers to the main draw, all the way to an unforgettable final match.

This gold medal represents a huge leap for the British Volleyball-funded pair, who have previously secured three bronze medals at Challenger and Futures events. Their success also coincides with an incredibly successful year, in which they have now reached a career-high ranking of 17th in the world.

The British Volleyball Federation could not be prouder to celebrate this historic moment with the brothers and their entire support team as they set their sights on the next 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

An Unforgettable Final

The final match was a nail-biting thriller, with the Bellos battling through three spectacular and hard-fought sets to secure victory in the longest, most intense,  and closely contested match of the tournament. In a unique all-brothers battle of attrition against Nicolás and Tomas Capogrosso of Argentina, every set was decided by the narrowest of margins, with the first two pushed deep into overtime and the Bellos saving five match points in the second set.

In a fittingly dramatic finish, the 14th-seeded English brothers celebrated a gruelling 2-1 (22-24, 30-28, 15-13) victory over the Tokyo 2020 Olympians, showcasing the grit and skill that define their playing style, capturing the world’s imagination and making British beach volleyball history.

Javier was the match’s top scorer with 33 points, all from attack kills, but it was Joaquin who delivered at some of the most critical moments, leading the way with incredible recoveries, seven kill blocks, and a total of 24 points.

In their own words, Javier and Joaquin expressed the pride and joy of their historic victory:

“It’s a dream come true to live a moment like this, representing our country, our family and our people on the biggest stage and winning the first major gold for England. This is what we have been working towards for many years. We want to show that anything is possible when we come together, work hard and give everything for our goals.

“Thank you for all the support from back home. It means so much to have our family and team around us, and also our wider community that follow our journey. This is a huge breakthrough moment, England is on top of the beach volleyball world today, and this is only the beginning.”

The Journey to Gold

Seeded 14th in the 16-team main draw, the Bellos began their journey with an impressive 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) upset of sixth-seeded Paris 2024 Olympians Steven van de Velde & Matthew Immers of the Netherlands. Joaquin Bello made his mark with five critical kill blocks, setting the stage for a series of career-defining performances. Their next match was a close loss to Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse of Qatar, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists and Paris 2024 semifinalists.

In their third and final Pool C match, the inspired Englishmen bounced back with a commanding 2-0 (21-11, 21-16) shutout of Brazil’s Pedro Sousa & Arthur Mariano, which was enough to secure their place in the quarterfinals as Pool C leaders. Joaquin was the best scorer of that match with 21 points to his name.

In the quarterfinal, the Bellos faced Ukaraine’s Sergiy Popov & Eduard Reznik and avenged their loss at the previous Elite 16 event in Joao Pessoa (BRA) last month with a solid straight sets victory, 2-0 (21-19, 21-13), propelled by Joaquin’s six kill blocks and Javier’s match-leading 21 attack kills. This secured a ticket to the team’s first-ever Elite16 semifinal appearance and kept their Cinderella story alive.

The semifinal saw the Bellos come up against Norway’s Anders Mol & Christian Sørum, whose impressive resume includes gold at Tokyo 2020, bronze at Paris 2024, 2022 World Champions, 2021 European Champions, and 25 gold medals on the World Tour. The monumental task did not faze the Bellos, who demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill to mount a huge comeback and celebrate a stunning 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-12) victory amid a wave of incredible emotions. Joaquin led with 10 stuff blocks and 21 attack kills, out-blocking Mol – one of the best blockers the world has ever seen – by four blocks, further cementing the Bellos’ position among the world’s elite.

Image and content with thanks to FIVB Volleyball World

Unlocking British Beach Volleyball’s True Potential

The British Volleyball Federation wishes to extend heartfelt congratulations to Javier and Joaquin, as well as their support team, for this exceptional victory and the dedication and passion they put into beach volleyball.

The Bellos have marked their clear intent on their journey to the 2028 Olympics, having narrowly missed out on Paris 2024. Their achievement exemplifies the incredible potential of British beach volleyball and sends a powerful message: with adequate support, they can continue to succeed at the highest levels and win against the world’s best. Given their performance in Rio, the British Volleyball Federation calls upon UK Sport to recognise this significant milestone as it makes upcoming funding decisions for the next Olympic cycle. As a National Squad Support Funded (NSSF) sport, British beach volleyball has limited resources – but this landmark result proves what is possible with the right backing.

The British Volleyball Federation is thrilled to witness this defining moment in our sport’s history and is eager to support Javier and Joaquin’s continued journey on the world stage.

British Volleyball Federation Statement on Beach Volleyball Exclusion from Glasgow 2026

The British Volleyball Federation shares in the collective disappointment expressed by our partners at Scottish Volleyball, Northern Ireland Volleyball, and Volleyball England following the announcement that beach volleyball will not be included in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Mark Kontopoulos, Chairman of the British Volleyball Federation said: “The Commonwealth Games are a vital stepping stone in the development of our performance athletes, and beach volleyball has become one of the most popular and highly watched events in recent Games. Competing at this level has a profound impact on our athletes' progress and development, as demonstrated by the success of our teams in recent years. This includes the remarkable achievement of the Bello Brothers, who won bronze for England at Birmingham 2022, and the strong performances by English and Scottish teams in 2018 and 2022. The exclusion of beach volleyball from the 2026 programme is not only a disappointment for our athletes and fans but also a significant setback for the performance pathways that we, alongside our Home Nations partners, have worked hard to establish and continue to develop.

“We sincerely thank Scottish Volleyball for their considerable efforts in advocating for the sport’s inclusion and for their dedication and commitment throughout the process. Additionally, I echo the calls of our English, Northern Irish and Scottish colleagues for all the Home Nations’ sports councils and stakeholders to collaborate with all of British volleyball’s governing bodies to create alternative opportunities for our beach volleyball athletes to compete at a similar level on domestic soil. Such opportunities are essential for sustaining the progress we've made, expanding opportunities for athletes across all four of the Home Nations, and continuing to grow the sport across the UK.”

Please also find the statements from the home nations

Scottish Volleyball

Volleyball England

Volleyball NI

Partnership with Action For Kids - Canary Wharf

British Volleyball Federation are delighted to be partnering with Action For Kids (AFK) to support events at Canary Wharf at their annual Beach pop up court in collaboration with SideOut UK. AFK have a long history of working with partner SideOut for these ‘pop-up’ beach courts in Canary Wharf, and now British Volleyball are working alongside them to promote the sport across beach and sitting and support the charities incredible work.

Join AFK, SideOut and ourselves from 13th - 28th September on Canada Square Park for a unique, award-winning charity event right in the heart of Canary Wharf.

We’ll be bringing a mini pop up sitting volleyball court to complement the beach court on key dates to engage in some activation events with local and national businesses, schools and other individuals.

Our funded beach and sitting athletes and staff are also bringing their expertise to these activations, and we’re grateful for their support.

Our activations include the following:

• 18th September: beginners beach session with beach athlete Freddie Bialokoz

• 18th September: corporate event with BP with beach athletes Freddie Bialokoz, Anaya Evans, Katie Keefe and sitting athlete John Worrall

• 23rd September: schools taster session with beach athlete Freddie Bialokoz and Issa Batrane, and sitting GB head coach Ian Legrand

• 26th September: corporate day with beach athletes Freddie and Issa and Javier and Joaquin Bello, and sitting athlete Claire Harvey

Alongside these events, AFK in partnership with Volleyball England and SideOut are hosting a King and Queen of the Court on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st September. For more information follow the link https://www.volleyballengland.org/competitions/queen-king-of-the-court-london-showcase

To find out more about the pop up courts in Canary Wharf, click on this link https://ww2.emma-live.com/AFKBeachVolleyball/?home_page&qr=1

Who are Action for Kids

They are a national charity supporting disabled children, young people and their families. They aim to address and remove the social barriers that disable people, by providing mobility equipment, education support, skills training, and helping young people secure work placements.

GB Women's Sitting Volleyball Coach Richard Osborne Awarded MBE

It is with great pleasure to announce that GB women’s sitting volleyball coach Richard Osborne will be awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours list. His award comes for services to disability sports.

Richard coach’s within British Volleyball’s sitting volleyball set up, and has over many years dedicated hundreds of hours of his time voluntarily for the improvement of the GB athletes.

Richard also heads up his club South Hants, regularly competing in the national competition, the Grand Prix Series as we as the Sit Cup.

We would like to extend a warm appreciation and thanks to Richard for his incredible dedication to the sport.

Golden EuroLeague is coming to Nottingham

The cream of women’s sitting volleyball from across Europe will converge on Nottingham to contest the Golden EuroLeague over the weekend of 28 th to 30 th June.

Between five and six teams will compete at the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Sports Centre as they vie for the title of the continent’s best club team.

Two teams – Slovenia’s SIP Semepter and Italy’s Pisa – have already qualified for the tournament, while others will have another chance to secure their spot in a qualification event on 18th and 19th May in Zenica, Bosnia.

Among those bidding to qualify as of right will be Panthers – who regularly compete in the Volleyball England Sitting Grand Prix Series – but they will have the fallback option of being invited as a team from the host nation, should they miss out.

Matches will take place on Friday evening and continue into Saturday and Sunday, with all teams and officials will be accommodated on the university campus.

The event is being hosted by the British Volleyball Federation (BVF) and Performance Manager Joanna Cook said: “It’s really exciting to be welcoming some of the very best sitting volleyball individual players and clubs to England for the Golden EuroLeague Women. The standard of sitting volleyball continues to rise every year. I’m sure the battle for the winners’ trophy is going to be intense – and great fun to watch!”

Every match is set to be streamed live, while admission for spectators is free.

Volunteers to help at the event are welcomed. If you are interested, please fill in an expression of interest Microsoft Form by clicking here.

Clean Sport Week

Today marks the start of the UK Anti-Doping Clean Sport Week

During Clean Sport Week follow the call to action messages.
Athletes work hard to compete at their very best. Creating a culture of clean sport is essential for the health of our athletes and the integrity of our sport.

Follow UK Anti-Doping throughout the week to hear from athletes about their clean journeys in elite sport,
physical and mental health initiatives and key anti-doping topics.

A schedule of events of Clean Sport Week: 

·       Monday 13 May: Launch of Clean Sport Week and the premiere of our hero video “Journey to the Podium”. 

·       Tuesday 14 May: In-person panel event focused on a para-athlete's journey to the podium, presented by Giles Long MBE, triple Paralympic gold medal swimmer. Featuring on the panel, Ali Jawad, UKAD Athlete Commission Member and Paralympic Powerlifter. Further names from the world of elite sport and anti-doping to be released shortly. 

·       Wednesday 15 May: UKAD will be publishing case studies discussing the welfare of athletes and ethics of clean sport on our social media channels, hearing from different voices across the elite sport community. 

·       Thursday 16 May: Here is where your activity ‘Throwback Thursday’ comes in. UKAD and the whole elite sport community will be sharing stories of their “Journey to the Podium” featuring photos / videos of then and now (when someone first started in their sport and them during their greatest sporting moment). Whether your organisation is preparing for Paris 2024, your next major competition, or looking to showcase fair play values of your athletes – this day is a visual opportunity to share with your audiences why clean sport matters. 

·       Friday 17 May: Guidance and resources for athlete support personnel (that includes coaches, practitioners, nutritionists, parents and carers) on clean sport.  

British Volleyball Federation Welcomes Mark Kontopoulos as New President

London, United Kingdom — The British Volleyball Federation (BVF) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark Kontopoulos as its new President and Chairman of the Board, a strategic move that promises to usher in a new era of growth and achievement for volleyball across the UK.

With a distinguished career that spans over two decades of leadership in volleyball and beach volleyball, both domestically and internationally, Mr. Kontopoulos brings a wealth of experience to the BVF. His roles have included President of Volleyball England’s Beach Commission, senior positions at major international events such as the Athens 2004 and London 2012 Olympic Games, and advisor to the UK Beach Tour board. As a co-founder of the event management company SideOut and Chairman of SideOut Beach Volleyball Club, his impact spans across all facets of the sport.

Mr. Kontopoulos’ contributions to volleyball extend beyond governance and administrative roles; he is a certified FIVB Instructor, involved in coaching at the top level and delivering coaching courses worldwide. His passion for the sport is matched by his professional expertise as an international corporate lawyer, with a focus on strategic alliances, dispute resolution, and corporate governance. His dual qualifications as a solicitor in England and Wales and attorney-at-law in New York, coupled with his experience lecturing in Sports Law, position him uniquely to guide the BVF through its next phase of development and success.

Upon accepting the role, Mr. Kontopoulos expressed his enthusiasm: “It’s a tremendous honour to have this opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the growth, development, and success of all disciplines of our sport across the UK. For me, volleyball has always been more than just a game – it’s a constant in my life that I’ve always held close to my heart. I am eager to bring my skills, experience, and dedication to the BVF and to continue giving back to our sport in this new capacity. I look forward to collaborating and connecting with all partners and stakeholders, and taking British Volleyball to new heights together!”

The timing of Mr. Kontopoulos’ appointment is particularly significant as the BVF celebrated an uplift in investment from UK Sport for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games cycle, and prepares to enter into a new funding cycle leading up to Los Angeles 2028. This, combined with a growing participation in volleyball across the UK via the home nations, signals an exciting time for the sport.

The BVF, acting as the national governing body for all disciplines of volleyball in the UK, plays a crucial role in lobbying for funding and support for athletes to compete in elite competitions. With disciplines including indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, sitting volleyball, and snow volleyball, the Federation is at the heart of the sport’s development.

Under Mr. Kontopoulos’ leadership, the BVF is poised to capitalise on recent successes and funding to further its mission of achieving Olympic and Paralympic success, while fostering the growth of volleyball at all levels throughout the UK. His vision for the future aligns with the Federation’s strategic goals, promising an exciting chapter ahead for British volleyball.

The British Volleyball Federation and its partners welcome Mr. Mark Kontopoulos and look forward to the innovation, leadership, and passion he brings to the sport. Together, we are committed to taking British Volleyball to new heights and achieving unprecedented success on the international stage.

We wish to thank both Richard Callicott for him time as president of the BVF, and Nick Meacham’s excellent tenure as an independent director of the board, and interim chair which helped the BVF continue it’s positive momentum through this Paris cycle.

GB Senior Men head to the World Cup

Our GB senior men head out to the World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Cup for an intense competition. They will travel to Egypt to play 14 other nations vying for the Paralympic Qualification slot that is up for grabs as the winner of the competition.

The selected athletes are:
Kevin Tann
John Worrall
Mark Hemming
John Munro

Corie Mapp
Gareth Golightly
Robert Richardson
Stephen Allan
Justin Phillips

Staff Team:

Ian Legrand

Philip Crawford

Kieran Good

Samuel James

Saffron Betts

Edward Humphries

The men’s teams for the competition are: - 14: Algeria, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Rwanda and Nigeria, Ukraine.

There will also be 10 women’s national teams participating in the 2023 Sitting Volleyball World Cup.

Paralympic Qualification Routes - road to Paris

There are a number of ways to qualify for sitting volleyball for the Paralympics with 8 spots available per gender.

The hosts take the first spot which here is France.

Then we have the winner of the World Championships which took place in 2022. For the men, the winner was Iran, and for the women Brazil.

Next is the continental competitions:

1. Pan America - men Brazil, women USA

2. Asian zone - men Kazakhstan, women China

3. European zone - men Bosnia & Herzegovina, women Italy

4. African zone - postponed: winners TBC

Next is the winners of this World Cup

The final place going to the winners of the Paralympic Qualification Tournament that will be held in China April 3-10th 2024.

GB Development Sitting Volleyball Squad heads to Copenhagan

A select GB mixed squad will be heading to the Copenhagan Sit Cup this week to play nine club and national teams in a friendly but competitive competition.

The teams competing will be:

BACK TO BASE (NL)

KOMETA PRAHA (CZ)

CZECH REPUBLIC WOMEN (CZ)

ESTONIA SITTING VOLLEYBALL (ES)

TØNSBERG (NO)

STAVANGER KFUM (NO)

PINNEBERG (GER)

 GB MIX TEAM (GB)

LAVIA COPENHAGEN (DK)

We entered this excellent event last year, with our GB Men’s team winning Gold and the GB Women taking the Bronze. Now with the increase in our development squad, we are providing this competition as a development opportunity for the athletes whilst mixing in some experienced GB athletes.

The team selected is:

Andrea Green

Jessica Dowdeswell

Jeanette Adu-Bobie

Jessica Frezza

Angela Fairbiarn

Gareth Golightly

Carl Windebank

The team will be lead by GB Development Coach Richard Osbourne, along with player/mananger Amanda Pollard.

You will find more information during the event on https://laviakbh.dk/sit-cup/program23.html and their Facebook page, along with all the British Volleyball social media.

A big thank you to the organisers in Copenhagan for hosting us at the event.

GB Women Head to the European Sitting Volleyball Championships 2023

The GB women’s squad will be shortly heading to Carole in Italy for the European Sitting Volleyball Championships 2023. The Paravolley Europe flagship event runs from 9 until 15 October at the resort town of Caorle, just east of Venice in Italy's Veneto Region with ten teams lined up to vie for the top continental honours.

The ten teams at Caorle are divided into two pools of six for the first phase of the competition.

• Pool A: Italy, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Turkey.

• Pool B: Slovenia, Ukraine, France, Poland, Great Britain.

The top four of each pool advance to the quarterfinals, followed by semifinals and the medals matches - though all ten teams remain in action until the very end for placement games.

The Women's European Championship runs in conjunction with the men's event over the same dates and at the same venue of Palamare Valter Vicentini in Caorle.

In addition to the coveted continental title, the winners of each gender also clinch a berth at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

GB match schedule:

9th October: 16.00 GB v Slovenia

11th October: 09.30 GB v France

12th October: 11.40 GB v Ukraine

13th October: 09.15 GB v Poland

Placing matches from 13th - 15th October

On GB’s prospects, performance lead Joanna Cook says “we are very much looking forward to competing at this level of sitting volleyball following the success of our bronze medal at the PVE Silver Nations League. Whilst some unfortunate situations means we cannot attend with a full cohort, I have no doubt that the GB squad is prepared and focused for this competition, and will compete at this competitive event with determination and intent”.

British Volleyball will also be attending the PVE Strategy Day and Congress during the competition aimed at looking at sitting volleyball across the European system and building on its strengths.

Daisy Mumby selected for Powered by Purpose programme

Daisy Mumby (BVF funded athlete) has been successful in her application to be part of a impressive social impact programme, designed to test and strengthened beliefs and guide them to make a wider positive social impact.

Part of UK Sport’s 2021- 2031 mission to create the greatest decade of extraordinary sporting moments is the ambition to inspire positive change. Within this ambition lies the process of empowering funded athletes to have greater ownership of how they can use their platform and voice to power positive change.

Through our athlete spotlight series, we have seen the importance of our athletes standing up for their beliefs and making a difference in the work they do. Through this UK Sport project, Daisy will be able to take this a step further. With guided support from UK Sport and the True Athlete Project, Daisy will work through a series of workshops and challenges to drive her own project of change.

The True Athlete Project (TAP) is a UK charity that aims to build a more compassionate world through sport. Our team of athletes, coaches, sport psychologists and mindfulness teachers design and deliver a range of creative, holistic, mindfulness-based programs at all levels of sport – from community sport centres through to Olympians and Paralympians across 40+sports.

Successful European Campaign for Bello/Bello

In a stunning display of skill, teamwork, and sheer determination, British beach volleyball duo Joaquin Bello and Javier Bello have defied all odds to secure their spot in the highly-coveted quarter-finals of the European Beach Volleyball Championships.

The European Beach Volleyball Championships attracts top-tier athletes from across the continent. Amid the fiercely competitive field, Joaquin and Javier Bello emerged and surpassed expectations.

As the tournament progressed, the duo faced tough challenges from seasoned veterans and established pairs. Yet, with unwavering resolve and an unyielding spirit, they emerged victorious, proving that their place in the quarter-finals was a testament to their talent and dedication.

In the pool stages they had one loss against the Spanish duo Herrer/Gavira, which put a lot of pressure on the Bello brothers to perform against Leitner/Pascariuc of Austria, as it was a direct elimination match for them. The win against the experienced Austrian duo, playing on home soil, put the Bellos in the Round of 24, which they won against another Austrian pair Seidl/Pristauz in three very close sets.

One of the defining moments of their incredible run came in a heart-stopping three-set thriller against the higher-seeded team from the Netherlands, the Olympians Brower/Meeuwsen who hold a top 5 position in the world ranking at the moment. Despite the pressure, Joaquin and Javier Bello showcased nerves of steel, unleashing an array of perfectly-timed spikes, agile digs, and seamless blocks from Joaquin that mesmerized the crowd. Winning the Round of 16 gave the Bello brothers the right to qualify for the quarter finals, this time against Ukraine Popov/Reznik.

The BVF pair finished the tournament with a 5th place, losing the quarter final to Ukraine in 2 sets. It is an outstanding result for which Javier and Joaquin, and the whole team behind them, should be proud of. It is only the start of more!

Powered by Purpose Programme empowers social changemakers

The pilot programme launched by UK Sport, in partnership with The True Athlete Project in 2022, was created after a consultation found that 86% of athletes on the world class programme want to use their platform to make a difference to society, whilst they are still competing. We were fortunate that Darren Young, a GB senior men's athlete successfully applied to be part of the ground breaking programme.

Powered by Purpose was designed to support athletes to engage in more meaningful, authentic, and sustainable social impact activities. The programme included virtual workshops, peer-to-peer support, one-to-one consultations, athlete action plans, as well as an online portal for accessing all programme materials and private discussion forum. We were fortunate that Darren Young, a GB senior men's athlete successfully applied to be part of the ground breaking programme.

The programme culminated with an in-person showcase event at UK Sport where athletes shared their journey through the programme, the specific cause or social issue that they have selected to focus on, and a description of their plan of action going forward.

Since taking part in the programme;

• 100% of the athletes in the cohort have an increased confidence in making a difference on community or social issues, compared to the 78% before participating in the programme.

• 100% of participants now feel equipped with the skills and resources to address social challenges, with 88% having a decreased fear of being misunderstood

• 100% of athletes feel they possess strengths aside from being an athlete, that support their social impact.

Darren Young said about the programme; “Before enrolling on ‘Powered by Purpose’ I was going through my sporting life just ‘playing sport’. I didn’t realise that the sport I love gave me the platform to do more than play. I now realise that I have a purpose whilst I am still playing and even more so when I retire.”

“ ‘Powered by Purpose’ made me understand my potential as an advocate; I have since used my new found knowledge, drive, and determination within the UK Sport Environmental Sustainability Committee as a sitting volleyball representative.”

“A lack of conviction, a lack of belief, a lack of confidence has since gone and been replaced with a purpose. I would highly recommend ‘Powered by Purpose’ to any athlete who would like to make a difference and discover themselves in the process.”

Athlete Spotlight: Anaya Evans

Next up in our spotlight series is BVF funded athlete Anaya Evans, who has just completed her studies in the US. She represents England on the FIVB Beach Pro Tour together with Daisy Mumby. They made their debut as a pair in Dubai in October 2022. 

When did you start playing volleyball?

I was first introduced to volleyball through Georgeham Primary school in North Devon, by my first coach Denise Austin. My introduction to volleyball was via Volleysport, which is a catch-throw version of the game. This was around the age of seven and I was just interested in doing as much sport as I could, I just happen to fall in love with volleyball. I also had influence from my home life as some of my family members had played or were playing volleyball too.

Anaya Evans

Some of my most cherished highlights are the people I have met and been privileged to create memories with all over the world.

What are your best highlights that volleyball has given you?

Volleyball has given me so many highlights over the years both on and off the court. Some of my most cherished highlights are the people I have met and been privileged to create memories with all over the world. The social connection in the sport is huge and I am so grateful to be a part of the volleyball community. An aspect of this highlight is sharing both the highs and lows with the people around me. This part of volleyball has helped me to form deeper relationships with my family and my friends. Another highlight has been understanding that life is to be enjoyed in the moment. It is a rollercoaster of success and learning, personal growth, friendships, family, and so much more. Appreciating life and enjoying the moment is the best highlight volleyball has given me.

Would you mind sharing what represented a challenge for you and how you have overcome it?

I think the biggest challenge for me is leaving the people I love to do what I love. Being blessed with friends around the world makes life so much better, but also makes it so much more difficult to say goodbye when I leave. Leaving my family is particularly hard, as I rarely get to see them. I overcome this challenge by being present and focusing on spending quality time with the people I love when I get to see them, even if it is briefly.

What are your aspirations in and outside of beach volleyball?

My overarching goal both as an athlete and outside of the sport is to be the best version of myself, so I can serve others and spread happiness. As an athlete I have many goals, the main one is to perform at my best more often than not whilst maintaining the best well-being possible. This is very much an internal, process goal. For external goals I would like to be an Olympic gold medallist, a consistent top 5 finisher on the world tour.

What’s your life like outside of beach volleyball training and competition?

Outside of my sport I love to stay busy by working, spending time with my family and friends, coaching when I can, and spending time outside. I love to hike and experience nature in all of its glory. I also love reading, and enjoy challenging and developing myself mentally as well as physically.

You are very ambitious, where does your drive come from?

What drives me, is me. It is the younger me who had so many dreams and goals, the me in ten years’ time doing even better than I am now. I am so grateful to have been surrounded by supportive, encouraging people that created an environment in which I could drive myself. I am passionate about excellence in every aspect of life. I am passionate about enjoying life and helping others to enjoy theirs too.

Are there any fun or interesting facts about you or your family/team?

My family is incredibly special. They are generous with their love and their time. They are all inspiring to me in their own way and I am so grateful to have them in my life.

What would you say are the skills you have gained by being an athlete?

I think some of the biggest skills being an athlete has given me are self- reflection, the ability to consistently develop positive habits, and management. I think these among so many others are one of the gifts of being an athlete. It has also taught me to cherish the moment, sport is so fun and so difficult, regardless of whether the experience was the outcome you wanted or not. So, love them while they are happening.

Are you doing any work with other organisations?

I have been honoured to work with a few amazing organisations over the years for various reasons. I would love to keep expanding my message and the message of the organisations I am associated with so please follow any of my social media platforms.

Aspire Drinks – Healthy Energy drink

Joolies Dates – Organic dates with sustainable packaging

MyEarthBreeze – Eco friendly Laundry Brand

LiquidIv – Hydration brand

Blenders eyewear – Sunglasses brand

Green Nut Butter – Superfood infused nut butter brand

BeachRat Designs – Sustainable clothing brand

Smyle – Ecofriendly Tooth care company

Clinuvel – Skincare brand

Suja – organic, non-GMO, cold pressed juices

Superhera -Sustainable sports apparel to give female athletes the freedom to perform

Grand Canyon University – the D1 school I attended and competed for

Legacy Performance Training – My performance training coach

Academy of Beach Sports – my first club

Volleyball England 

This is amazing, thank you Anaya for sharing some insights of your life with us at British Volleyball.

GB Men and Women Sitting Teams head to the Dutch Cup

The GB Men’s and Women’s senior sitting volleyball squads are heading to the Dutch Cup (30th June - 2nd July) for a competitive competition against both past and possible future Paralympic Teams.

Both squads will be out to compete against some of the best counties in the world, as the teams head to the annual Dutch Cup.

This is a long standing high level competition that the Dutch federation host, and we are grateful for our annual invitation to compete in this excellent competition.

You can follow all the action on the Tube stream https://www.youtube.com/@dutchtournament3998

GB Men will play first on Friday at 13.00 (local time) against Germany, followed by GB Women at 18.15 against Canada.

Saturday is a heavy day of matches to test all athletes strength and resilience with three matches each;

09.00 GB Women v Italy,

10.45 GB Men v Ukraine,

12.30 GB Women v France,

14.15 GB Men v Netherlands,

16.00 GB Women v Netherlands,

17.45 GB Men v France,

It doesn’t stop on Sunday 2nd July as the final matches are played;

09.00 GB Men v USA

11.00 GB Women v USA

13.00 GB Men v Italy

15.00 GB Women v Ukraine

University of Manchester S&C provision for GB Men's Sitting Volleyball Programme

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Manchester to provide S&C support to our senior GB Men’s programme.

This support will be key in continuing to progress the athletes in the men’s programme, while supporting the wider BVF programme in their aspirations towards major International competitions and ultimately Paralympic qualification.

Performance lead Joanna Cook said: “We were really impressed with the set up at the University of Manchester and the support they can provide the men’s programme. As with all aspects of a performance programme, S&C is key in ensuring we have physically fit, robust athletes that have the ability to withstand the rigours of competition.”

Sports Performance Officer Jon Kantor said: “UoM Sport are delighted to work with British Sitting Volleyball to optimise the squad’s physical preparation to qualify for the Paralympic Games. This partnership not only expands UoM Sport’s existing support for university athletes and national programmes but also showcases our dedication to social responsibility by empowering athletes and promoting inclusivity. The collaboration between UoM Sport and British Volleyball is poised to make a significant impact on the Senior Men’s Squad’s quest for Paralympic glory, solidifying the University’s position as a leading institution in sports development and performance support.”

Celebrating the Success of the 2023 ParaVolley Europe Silver Nations League

British Volleyball took centre stage last weekend as they welcomed some of Europe’s top sitting volleyball players for the UK’s first international sitting volleyball tournament since London 2012 Paralympics came to the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham.

The three-day event was a resounding success, which showcased the spirit of inclusivity, athleticism, and camaraderie that makes sitting volleyball such a remarkable sport.

With immense appreciation, BVF would like to acknowledge the efforts of ParaVolley Europe, UK Sport, the University of Nottingham, the volunteers, and athletes for their pivotal roles in making this event a memorable tournament for all.

Joanna Cook, Performance Manager at the British Volleyball Federation, said: “First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere thanks to ParaVolley Europe for entrusting us with the honour of hosting this years Silver Nations League tournament. Their support and cooperation were invaluable throughout the event’s planning and execution.

“Alongside the crucial financial support from UK Sport, they have enabled us to continue to inspire and promote diversity in sports through showcasing sitting volleyball in the UK.”

Cook continued: “We would also like to thank the University of Nottingham for letting us host the event at their state-of-the-art facilities. The David Ross Sports Village provided an exceptional venue and a welcoming environment for all the participants, which played an instrumental part in creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere throughout.”

Alongside the tournament, BVF organised inclusive ‘Come and Try’ sessions over the weekend’s action, which aimed to introduce sitting volleyball to individuals of all ages and abilities.

Participating in one of these sessions was Community Integrated Care, who showed their support by presenting thoughtful gifts to the GB men and womens teams in a heartwarming gesture before the tournament commenced.

Volunteers also played a crucial role in running the event, whose roles included court managers, courtside assistants and stewards, as well as line judges and scorers, who took part in internationally recognised official’s qualification prior to the competition.

On the help of the volunteers, Jonathan Moore, Major Events at Volleyball England, added:

“The dedication from the volunteers who generously contributed their time and effort to make the weekend an incredible success. Their commitment and tireless support helped make the tournament flow seamlessly, and without them, events like these simply would not happen.”

The weekend’s thrilling action culminated in two captivating finals as Latvia’s mens team dethroned the reigning champions Poland to claim the gold medal, while Hungary’s dominant womens team emerged as convincing winners.

As hosts, Great Britain’s squads showcased their determination to qualify for Paris 2024 and beyond, as the womens team fought back from pool play defeats to secure a well-deserved silver medal. As for the men, they displayed resilience but finished in fifth place, narrowly missing out on medal contention.

Europe’s best Sitting Volleyball players to showcase the Paralympic sport in Nottingham

Members of the public invited to come and try at ParaVolley Silver Nations League tournament

This weekend Nottingham will play host to Europe’s best Sitting Volleyball players as the UK’s first international Sitting Volleyball event since London 2012 Paralympics comes to the city.

A fast, exciting sport often played by amputees and individuals with limb difference, Sitting Volleyball will once again return to the spotlight as the ParaVolley Silver Nations League takes place at the University of Nottingham from 19-21 May 2023. The event will see nine men and women’s teams from across Europe come together in what is a crucial tournament for both the men and women’s Great Britain teams as they aim to try and secure qualification for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Both the men’s and women’s Great Britain teams will be in action at the tournament, and the players are encouraging people to come along to the tournament to cheer on the teams. Entry to the event is free and action starts on Friday at 18.00, continuing Saturday and Sunday with matches starting from 8.30 in the morning and action continuing throughout both days. The event culminates in the finals on Sunday afternoon, followed by a closing ceremony at 18.00. All the action can be followed on the British Volleyball social media channels and via a live stream on the Para Volley Europe YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ParaVolleyEuropeLive

Although Sitting Volleyball is part of the Paralympics, it can be played by anybody, and is a great leveller for people with different types and levels of impairment, as well as also being played by people without a disability. Members of the public are being invited to come along to the Silver Nations League and give Sitting Volleyball a go as part of taster sessions which will run on both Saturday and Sunday during the event.

The open taster sessions will run from 9am-8pm on Saturday and 9am-6pm on Sunday, with fun activities on offer to give people a taste of the sport. There will be speed gates to measure the speed someone can strike a ball, plus a small court to practice. There is no need to sign up in advance and anyone of any age, with or without a disability is welcome to come along and try Sitting Volleyball.

“The ParaVolley Silver Nations League will not only showcase some of Europe’s best Sitting Volleyball teams and athletes, it will also give people the chance to try the sport with our taster sessions,” said Joanna Cook, Performance Manager at British Volleyball. “Sitting Volleyball is a fun exciting team sport which can be played by everybody. I would encourage anyone who fancies trying it out to head down to the University of Nottingham during the Silver Nations League and give it a go, whilst cheering on the GB teams at the same time.”

For anyone who is interested in trying Sitting Volleyball but can’t make the come and try sessions in Nottingham, there are Sitting Volleyball teams spread around the country. The Volleyball England website has a club finder - www.volleyballengland.org 

The ParaVolley Silver Nations League takes place at the David Ross Sports Village at the University of Nottingham from 19-21 May 2023. To find out more visit www.britishvolleyball.org

All the action will be available in real time online through the dedicated websites of the competitions:
 Men's Silver Nations League

Women's Silver Nations League

GB Sitting Volleyball Athletes Showcase on 'Anything but Footy' Podcast

Jodie Hill, Jessica (Jay) Frezza, Steve Allen and John Munro talk to host Michael Weadock on podcast ‘Anything but Footy’ showcasing the sport of Sitting Volleyball, and the upcoming ParaVolley Europe Silver Nations League.