Pete Bragg

“Without their “influence” I would not have done half that I have…

Nick Shaffery, Rich Calicot, Tony Pennock, Barbara Thomas, Kieth Trenam, Carol Gordon, Ralph Hippolyte, Bertrand Olie”.

When did you first become a volunteer?

“When at Chester Teacher training college, playing for Deeside, Vince Krawczyk said “You are training to teach PE so take our junior session”…1978. Vince was such an enthusiast…still is! You didn’t say no!”.

What roles have you had?

“1979 I started the college based club. Driving minibuses around the Clwyd League and hosting a junior event at Deeside Leisure centre.

I didn’t go straight into teaching I worked with kids in care but always the “frustrated teacher” I sought every opportunity to coach that I could (the other Volunteer jobs just get added on because you don’t realise at first what’s involved in a club). Naively, I just wanted get kids playing so doing the secretary or treasurer bit just came with it.

My NVl playing days were limited by sciatic nerve issues and in 1987 (just after Sam was born) I started a local league club in Stourport on Severn. A core of players from a local team of civilian staff from the Police Headquarters in Whychbold, near Worcester, were the basis of the club. But as I transitioned into teaching in 1991 at Bishop Milner with Nick, I didn’t have the energy or time to do both, and other volunteers were not to be found. The adult club folded but we had produced one GB international in Steve Fee so it felt like job done.

As Rachel was now 7 I began coaching at her Middle school. Bewdley Bears took teams to Pontins. So I was that parent coach on the sidelines. At 12 she joined the then NVL squad at Cleobury and I became assistant coach doing stats and what we would now call safeguarding.

1997 I moved to Redhill, got Volleyball on the curriculum, adapted the Sportshall for teaching the game, took teams to Pontins ( 100’s of em ) and Stourbridge Club started with the help of Tony and Kath Brewer in Sept 1999.”.

Why volunteer for volleyball?

“I think “The Brewers” are typical of many volunteers, players themselves, saw the “wholesome” values of the sport and supported their own boys into the game, as player coaches, coaches, admin…head cook and bottle washer. Just get a sense of well being by doing their bit. Not looking for thanks but that hand shake and/or hug from player, parent, coach etc as a THANKYOU is more than enough. To say as a volunteer WE enjoy it or get satisfaction is right…but they are almost too strong an adjective to describe it…you just do, it’s in the DNA somewhere. Perhaps someone will identify it in a lab one day”.

How do you encourage new volunteers into the sport?

“New volunteers are usually parents or ex pupils. Encourage? They pop out of the wood work. Nick I think is the expert when it come to recruiting. He just be friends everyone. I took him to Kettering recently and it’s a nightmare. Everyone knows him and wants to stop and chat, and say nice things”.

What have been your career highlights?

“Tops has to be watching my own kids play, but even more is that they both coach! Seeing players go on to achieve National honours playing, obviously. Seeing a former pupil, coach, referee etc. That’s special because I saw them as 9/10/11 year olds and must have at some point invited them to play. That they are now doing something akin to what I did makes me…proud. Yep that’s got to be the word, I’m chuffed to bits.

The best thing I ever did was set up an exchange. For several years we went to Austria (Feldkirch) and they came to us. That was volunteer time although school based (largely). The looks on the faces of the “kids” then. To see some of them coach etc now. To have friends in other parts of Europe as a result! 

Each year my counterpart in Feldkirch, Hans Peter Schuler and I ask each other the question, shall we? To re start an exchange with all the rubbish that’s going on in the world right now, that would make me a grumpy old man happy!”.

“Once a volunteer always one, it drives you forward doesn’t it?”

Thank-you for your time, Pete!