1.       How were you first introduced to Volleyball?

I was first introduced to volleyball at Weston Super Mare Technical College as part of my studies in 1987. From there I was asked by the coach, Clive Jones to play at the YMCA across the road in their local league team.  That December, playing in the Christmas tournament, a player on the other side of the net during the match, asked me to go and train with Priory and play South West league. It was a rapid rise and not knowing anything about the sport, I was learning in matches!! Being dragged around the court and told to where to stand for each rotation is something I will never forget! South West League became National league and a season with Speedwell 2. The next season I was elevated to the first team and playing top level volleyball, with only three years’ experience.  That was when Ralph Hipployte came to the England  to be  head coach of what was to be a newly formed Great Britain team. He asked all the current England players at the first camp to bring along the junior players from their teams to the next camp to be looked at. I went along and that was the start of an international career lasting 14 years. I represented England and Great Britain during that time. I moved to London at the age of twenty and played for Malory Eagles for nine seasons. I also had a spell at Polonia and Wessex.

2.       What was the most difficult skill to master on court?

The most difficult skill to master for me was passing.  I could jump high and I was quick around the court, happy to throw myself around and make pickups.  Passing was always something that I was trying to be better at and as the levels of play went up, the serving got tougher and passing got tougher. I made sure my technique for that skill was the best I could make it, in order that I could deliver the best pass possible to help my team make side out. In truth I’m not sure I ever mastered it.

3.       What makes you most proud of our Volleyball Family?

What makes me most proud of our volleyball family is that it is a family?

I happened to log into an SVA  live webchat earlier in the week and was  warmly welcomed.

It’s not just our family here in the UK, once you are in, you become part of the global volleyball community.

4.       What was your greatest Volleyball achievement?

My greatest volleyball achievement as a player was being selected to play for England and then Great Britain.  My greatest achievement as a coach was helping City of Wolverhampton Women’s team avoid relegation out of the national league and then in successive seasons take them the to top division. In the first season of being in the top division we were cup finalists and runners up the league. In the following season we did the double!.

5.       What are you missing most during the lockdown?

Lockdown has had a different effect on us all. What some people consider important and they are missing is not the same for some one else.  I am lucky in that my wife and three sons are all home. Theo and Ben, the two eldest have signed up to work the local strawberry farm and so they are out each day doing their bit.  Vanessa, my wife, is a nurse and she too is working as normal. That leaves myself, Max and our cat Squinkles at home during the day. Max is a first year college student and he is still having lessons each day albeit on line. That means I’m holding the fort, doing the washing, cleaning and cooking. The only one not doing anything is the cat!

I thought I would be missing work, travelling  abroad and coaching, but actually I’m not. I have learned over the years that when something is outside of your control, you have to let it go and not let it play on your mind. What I have realised during this times is that having my family around  and being able to spend time together, having meals together and playing games like Rummikub and Banana grams  etc,  are what I have been missing!

6.       What are you looking forward to most once the lockdown is over?

All being well, I will be going to Tokyo for my third Olympic Games on site.  That is something to look forward to for sure.

 Thank you Clayton.