Second appointment of this series is with Issa Batrane. He is a British Volleyball Funded athlete, and represents England on the FIVB Beach Pro Tour (the elite series of beach competitions around the world), making his debut at the Elite 16 tournaments this year. He is also a true athlete role model with his passion for using his athlete voice as a platform to encourage positive change. Let’s catch up with him!
Issa Batrane
What I love about our sport is the opportunity it gives me to travel to a lot of great places around the world and make some great friends in the process through the world of international sport.
Hello Issa, the first question for you is how did you start playing volleyball?
I got into volleyball after my local club, Richmond Volleyball Club, came into my school for a lunchtime activity. I found I enjoyed it a lot and so continued playing for a bit of fun.
What are some of the highlights you achieved thanks to volleyball?
The opportunity to travel to a lot of great places around the world and make some great friends in the process through the world of international sport. It has also given me so many high moments such as winning international medals and having the opportunity to promote our sport to the younger generation not just in England/GB but globally.
What do you hope to achieve in your sport, and what do you hope to achieve outside of being an athlete?
I hope to achieve Olympic qualification for our team and country in my sport, but alongside that I would really love to inspire and grow the sport to become a bigger and well known sport within the UK.
Outside of being an athlete I truly just want to keep aiming to impact positive change within communities, that includes climate positive action and equality.
What’s your life like when you are not training or competing?
Outside of playing I am actually quite busy. I am a beach volleyball coach for my home club Deep Dish Beach Volleyball in Crystal Palace, as well as being employed by them to work on their social media and marketing team. Along with this I also engage in going to school visits both within the UK and internationally to help inspire and empower the next generation of kids to achieve the best they can in all walks of life, but hopefully with sport also providing key lessons for them to learn and grow from. I really enjoy this because I get to meet children from all walks of life.
What really drives you, or are you passionate about?
I would say three things really drive me.
The motivation my family and in particular my Mum gives me all the time. Not to win but just to give your best and to be happy knowing that you gave your best effort in everything you have tried to do.
My own inner motivation to push to be successful. The drive and hunger to succeed not only for me but for my team and all those who are helping our team motivates me every single time I have an opportunity to get on the court, gym and even the laptop to watch/study film.
Something that naturally also drives me is the opportunity to leave our sport in a much better place for the younger generation who are eager to replicate and go further than what myself & Freddie will get to in our careers once it is all done.
Any fun or interesting facts about you or your team?
Our coach Lewie Lett is forever known as the voice of volleyball. Where you might expect players to be asked for a photo opportunity we have actually had other players and even other international coaches ask for a photo with our coach instead of us…. Haha! It is funny but it also shows the impact he has on the game and all the people involved in it.
What skills have you gained from being an athlete?
Being an athlete especially in beach volleyball has helped me a lot more than expected with skills outside of just playing. Time management, organising what is involved with all the travelling and competing, and being able to work on my public speaking are just some to name. The situations that the sport has put me in, and the opportunities it has given me has allowed me to work on these skills throughout my years of playing.
Are you doing any volunteer work or work with charities?
Yes, I am a huge advocate for a number of organisations and charities that I feel passionate about: