Ian Legrand on how the new funding will fit into the next phase of GB training.

The Volleyball England Foundation Sitting Volleyball initiative comes at an  ideal time for the Great Britain Sitting Volleyball programme as we plan for our 2020-2024 cycle.

One of our objectives is the broaden the participation base of our successful domestic competition, the Volleyball England Sitting Grand Prix (which in regular times runs as a monthly centrally based competition from September to April). 

Our primary aim is to increase the number of clubs competing and to establish Sitting Volleyball as players “volleyball discipline of choice”. The Grand Prix is a truly ‘open’ competition featuring mixed teams with and without disabilities.

By increasing the number of clubs and encouraging athletes to play sitting volleyball, (in some cases to continue their competitive careers), will help us to both continue to develop the playing standard and, by having a wider geographic spread of clubs, increase the opportunity for disability athletes to access clubs and competitions locally.

It often goes unnoticed that Sitting Volleyball is the most accessible of the Paralympic sports, you just need some space, a ball and a net and if clubs take this as their starting point we won’t go to far wrong!

Any clubs who are interested in getting involved with Sitting Volleyball are welcome to contact the Great Britain programme and we will happily answer any of your questions.

We hope that clubs will make use of the amazing opportunity to get involved with Sitting Volleyball.

Ian Legrand

Head Coach Great Britain Sitting Volleyball Programme.