Helen Britten from Darkstar tells us abut the challenges of the last 12 months and what the club and players are looking forward to in the next few months.

Helen tell us she she has been keeping in touch with her team mates through their WhatsApp, Facebook and Zoom sessions. “The Coaches have been keeping in touch with their teams and as a whole club too, we've held a few quizzes and some socials events to keep people in engaged.”

With the prospect of club session starting again outside how have your club members responded?

“We sent out messages over the past few weeks and the response has been great, everyone is really keen to start back asap, so hopefully we will be able to carry on with similar numbers pre-lockdown.” said Helen “We anticipate that some of our younger players who are finishing school and going to University this year may move on but the main thing is that they will be carrying on playing. We'll obviously be looking to recruit for next season.”

How have your players been keeping their fitness levels up?

“The club have held weekly Zoom fitness sessions with the adult teams and juniors so we are definitely keeping fit.” explained Helen “We have tried to tailor the exercises to be volleyball specific so that we are ready to start back as soon as possible.”

What are you and your team mates most looking forward to in the next few weeks?

“That’s simple “ said Helen” We are all looking forward to getting back on courts and to see everyone and playing again, it feels good to hold a volleyball, even if it's just on Zoom! We feel prepared for a safe return as were already running COVID safe session in 2020. We will be indoors with juniors and outdoors with adults, hoping to get them indoors too by the middle of May, but weather permitting we will run some outdoor session throughout the summer. Will follow the guidance as it emerges and but just getting back to playing, and coaching, even in bubbles of 6 will be fab!”

Thanks for your comments Helen, we really appreciate your comments and like you , we are looking forward to all the clubs being back together and enjoying their volleyball.