Phil Channing - looking forward to getting back in the sports hall
1. How were you first introduced to Volleyball?
I was first introduced to volleyball (in the dim & distant past of the 1970’s (when everything was in black & white) at school. Using those cheap plastic balls every school seemed to have, each pass was like being slapped on the arm with a ruler, how anybody came through that system is beyond me. My first competitive introduction was at Horwich Volleyball Club, that for a small local league team did ok (didn’t it Jenn Taylor)! Whilst at college, I started playing at Eastbourne & still occasionally look for their results. I know they morphed into Sussex Dolphins, but in 30 years of coaching I’ve never played against them.
2. What was the most difficult skill to master on court?
Match awareness…! Being smart on court is the hardest thing to get across to any player. A players’ (who shall remain nameless, but played for years ago for Liverpool men), attitude to being blocked, was “to hit it harder.” It never worked as a plan for me. Having smart players is worth 3 or 4 points a set at least.
3. What makes you most proud of our Volleyball Family?
Honestly, I could fill a book about this, but it boils down to the fact that everybody involved is willing to go above & beyond, to help each other out. There’s little to no money in volleyball, but the players, coaches & refs have constantly put themselves out to help each other & to help volleyball. I wouldn’t want to embarrass anybody, or miss people out over the 40 years of involvement, but across the board I’ve been personally grateful for ex-coaches who have been willing to listen, advise & support me, I’ve learned a lot from them all. To the refs who at a moment’s notice have been willing to drop everything to help out for a game & to the players that have gotten up at 3am to travel the length of the country, you are all committed (or should be).
4. What was your greatest Volleyball achievement?
That’s a difficult one (blowing my own trumpet & all that). It seems to be that, players win you games, whilst coaches are responsible for the losses. Taking Salford, twice into the top division of NVL volleyball is a stand-out. However coaching an underage NW boys team, giving away 2 years to the rest of the competition, at last year’s Flying Scots tournament at St. Andrews is a stand out. Being the only team to beat the eventual winners Northern Ireland U17s. I had a plan & the lads altered their natural game to deliver the result & sent a couple of other teams scuttling off to review the footage.
5. What are you missing most during the lockdown?
Having the laughs with the players has to be the biggest. You can push a team to do more, if they enjoy being there. I’ve also really enjoyed playing & coaching sitting volleyball over the last couple of years & the banter from the lads involved has been fantastic.
6. What are you looking forward to most once the lockdown is over?
I can’t wait to walk into an empty sports hall again & spend those last few minutes reviewing my plans before the players arrive. From the juniors through to senior NVL players, when they walk through that door they are mine (& I think the world of them (but don’t tell. It’ll only go to their heads)…!
Phil - City of Salford