Meet the members of the Foundation Board - Adrian Stores. Founder of Stockport VC.

1. Why did you join the Foundation Board?

I sought to join the charitable-arm of our National Governing Body (NGB), in that the volleyball community in this Country has, in the main, been so welcoming and supportive to me personally.  I thought I'd like to give something back in a benevolent way.

2. What is your background in Volleyball?

A complete newcomer, but actually I see that as a major positive, an ability to add support to our 'volleyball family' and challenge the norm constructively, when applicable.  I have advised commercially numerous clubs and other NGBs in sports.

My Son, Kaya, and I visited Turkey some 5 years ago to see the in-laws.  Unbeknown to us, in the sports hall opposite, the U19 European Men's Championships was taking place.  Clearly, my northern banter and genuine warmth worked, as the stewards on the door let us in free of charge every day to witness this spectacle.  The rest, as they say, is history - I was hooked!

3. Tell us a bit about your involvement in the development of Stockport VC?

So the first thing we did on returning to England was to see where our nearest volleyball club was.  As a proud Stockport lad, I was perturbed to learn that we had none in our Town.  I then set about in liaison with Volleyball England, in particular Steve Kerr, to redress this shortfall.  In 2015, we established Stockport Volleyball Club.  It has worked with beneficiaries and players throughout the sporting continuum offering something to all abilities, genders, ages and ethnic communities.  At the 'elite' level, I was encouraged by our Coach, Rafal Lojewski, to enter a Men's NVL Team and in the first two seasons we won promotion consecutively - and were performing well in Division 1 this time, until Covid 19 drew the Season to a premature end.  At the time of this Interview, we hope to have entered a Women's Team in NVL, Division 3N, also.  Though I have to say, that the work with our Juniors and Academy Boys and Girls fills me with pride and might hopefully be the life blood of the Club in future generations. 

As to me, I guess as Founder and Chairman, it's a case of me being the equivalent of both strategic direction, with an ever contributing set of coaches and management committee - and 'chief cook and bottle-washer'.

4. What do you want the Foundation to achieve?

The Foundation offers something special and again with other committed Directors, Chair - Simone Turner and Company Secretary - Janet Inman (former CEO of Volleyball England), I feel that it can be a catalyst to add value to the 'volleyball family.  A priority, linked to my area of expertise, is that I seek for its income to grow, which will in turn be reinvested back to grass roots in our sport.

5. How are you helping the Foundation to do this?

A small gesture is that I have authored a publication as legacy to my Father.  It is called "Delirium" and can be purchased via:  http://www.crowdscrum.co.uk/projects/delirium/ All proceeds go to the Volleyball England Foundation.  Amongst the sports people interviewed on mindset, mindfulness and sports psychology is a volleyball player, so something we can all relate to!

I've recently been made Vice Chair at the Foundation and am designated to work on matters that might include partnerships, commercial ventures, funding and sponsorship.

6. What can others do to support the Foundation and our Volleyball Family?

Pro-activity and support can start small.  Simply liking our pages on social media, subscribing to FREE newsletters via the Foundation's website and sharing our posts is ideal.  Sponsorship and partnering is in its infancy and I'd love to have an informal, no-obligation communication with anyone who has businesses, or your employers, to see what we might do of mutual benefit. 

Finally, I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying that our Company Secretary is always 'open' to approaches from our community, and people that might want to help the Foundation in some way from Board Members to Volunteers to Sub-Committees etc.  I personally would like more ethnic representation to supplement our 'Kiwi-Chair', younger people and those with disability. 

Stay safe lovely people we'll hopefully be back on courts soon!