Richard Osborne shares with us why your club would benefit from a sitting team.
Richard Osborne tells us about the benefits of having a sitting team as part of your club.
"It is wonderful to hear that clubs are taking up the invitation to apply for sitting volleyball funding via the Volleyball England Foundation, but if your club is undecided whether to establish a sitting section then the following advice may assist.”
What benefits will a sitting volleyball section add to your club?
Studies show that people with disabilities have fewer opportunities to participate in sport compared to those who aren’t disabled, which in turn can also affect their mental health. The Government’s vision to build a society which is fully inclusive of disabled people includes doing more to involve them in sport, and I can testify as someone who has worked with many physically and mentally impaired people that there is no greater reward or sense of achievement than witnessing them transform form being withdrawn and isolated to rediscovering themselves, finding purpose, sharing a common experience with others, while also pushing and challenging themselves, maintaining fitness and developing their skills. In terms of social responsibility, therefore, it makes absolute sense to offer sitting volleyball to disabled members of your community.
For indoor players who are carrying knocks or injuries that might otherwise lead to retirement, sitting volleyball provides a second chance to continue their career. The most common injuries that indoor players sustain are to the knees and ankles, but with sitting volleyball there is low impact on those particular areas, with a premium placed instead on upper body strength and core muscles. I’ve delivered a lot of sitting volleyball sessions to indoor clubs. including juniors, which they have found extremely useful because the game is faster on the floor which heightens awareness and anticipation and strengthens speed of thought and movement, as well as improving communication and ball control. So, there is a direct benefit from sitting volleyball to improving indoor skills, but while having a lot of fun at the same time!
What do you need to consider before starting a sitting club?
First of all, you will probably want to assess whether there is interest in your club. You might want to offer some taster sessions first and if there is a good take up and an appetite to continue then you can take it forward from there. Obviously, you can speak to your existing club members to canvass their interest, or even dedicate a training session to sitting volleyball, but it may also be useful to develop a flyer that can be published via social media or in the community to promote the sessions (see below for who to contact). Next, think about whether you want to purchase bespoke equipment, which is where the Volleyball England Foundation can help, or whether you would prefer not to make a financial outlay until you are more confident a sitting section will be sustainable, in which case badminton posts and net are a perfectly acceptable alternative. The sitting volleyball court is smaller, so if your venue provider has not installed permanent lines there is the option to mark out courts with low adhesive floor marking tape that can either remain in situ or be removed without leaving marks on the floor, but failing that, again, badminton court lines can be used. The decision on how much to charge participants is really up to you, but most clubs charge between £3 - £5 for a 2-hour session, on a pay as you play basis, sometimes with a monthly subscription on top. The governance arrangements i.e., code of conduct, safeguarding policy, constitution etc will, in the main, be the same as the indoor section so shouldn't cause too much additional administrative work but if you have disabled players then it will be necessary to understand any specific needs they have, particularly in terms of any medication, and where that may need to be stored during a session in case it is needed. Another important consideration is whether you have anyone that can lead the sessions and I do understand that some coaches may feel they do not have the knowledge or confidence to deliver sitting volleyball; however, it is very similar to delivering an indoor session, they are a player first, but who might have a disability that requires you to work with them to find solutions. I have some introductory session plans that I am very happy to share with anyone who would like some ideas about content - just contact me at digdeep4sv@gmail.com
Who would you need to contact to maximise take-up?
I have often reverted to the internet to search for disability organisations in the location of my volleyball club, and I have found that Rehabilitation/Limb Loss centres have been helpful in directing their clients to us. If you do produce a flyer that advertises sessions, then these can be placed in doctor’s surgeries, hospitals, limb loss centres, libraries etc but also contact your local council because they will very often have a Disability Co-ordinator/Officer who can provide links to other relevant organisations that work with disabled people. Blesma UK is an organisation that assists limbless veterans from the UK Armed Forces and has been very supportive in the past in emailing its members to notify them of any sitting volleyball opportunities. You might wish to invite existing club members to take part so word of mouth plus What’s App or other communication methods will assist here. I also maintain a database of players who have expressed an interest in taking part in sitting volleyball and will either signpost them to a local club or, if there isn't one, I retain their details and once there are 5 or 6 players in that particular area I will seek to work with a local indoor club to set up some sessions. I am very happy to signpost anyone on my database to your club if you wish to contact me to ask (using the email above please).
Why is sitting volleyball an important part of the volleyball offer?
This is your club’s chance to increase its membership by offering an inclusive sport to a diverse range of players. By doing so, you might also attract more players to your junior, local league, NVL sections etc. Attracting disabled players will enhance your club’s reputation as an organisation with social responsibility and will assist hugely in growing this minority sport. Increasing the number of disabled players then offers them opportunities to enter the talent pathway and the potential to strengthen the GB Men’s and Women’s teams."
Thank you -Richard Osborne
Head Coach South Hants Sitting Volleyball Club
