Talent spotted by Dr. Don Anthony - Roy Pankhurst

1.       When were you first introduced to volleyball?

In 1965 I was appointed Head of PE and Recreation at Southgate Technical College in North London. I published a traditional programme for the use of the sports hall only to be attacked by four irate students from the Middle East who wanted to know when they could play volleyball. They taught me to play the game. We encouraged two English students, big Derek Trimmer and a setter Duncan Knight, who both later played for England. So we had a team and entered the Club National K/O – we lost in the Semi Final at the Crystal Palace! The next day Don Anthony the President invited me to the AGM of the then AVA - he was the ace delegator and during Election of Officers and I was voted in as the new Secretary!

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

Just adjusting to the speed of Volleyball. If you made a mistake on service receive, before you could evaluate, the next serve was flying at you. I was a cricketer and used to having plenty of time between deliveries.

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

Friendship with good people and sharing in a great game.

4. What was your greatest Volleyball achievement?

Three equal ones……

(a)    Southgate Men were National Champions and played in the European Cup in 1968 and 1969.

(b)    To have the privilege of working with great players - Nicky Kilkenny was student at the College, Freda Bussey travelled from South London and the two fine International captains Richard Dilauro from Italy and Hermann Tschop from Switzerland.

(c)     As a Course Tutor to have had people on Courses who later contributed so much to the development of Volleyball in England – Richard Callicott, Ron Richards, Ray Tingley, Brian Jones, Geoff Allen and Ken Harvey head the list!

5.       What are you missing most during the lockdown?

The hugs and rough & tumble with four grandchildren under 7 years.

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

Being back with those grandchildren + Nero coffees….and Wessex/BU being in the “Top Five!”