Volleyball at London 2012 - one of my greatest achievements, Richard Callicott
There isn’t a role in volleyball that Richard hasn’t held over his many years in volleyball. He started the Sandwell Volleyball Tournament over 30 years ago, which at its peak, became one of the biggest in Europe at this time and won the IOC ‘Sport for All’ award when it attracted 420 teams. He has been the President of Volleyball England and is currently the President of the British Volleyball Federation. In 2012 Richard was awarded and OBE for services to Volleyball.
How were you first introduced to Volleyball?
I was introduced to volleyball whilst at college by Ray Carman the then Officials secretary of the British Volleyball Association. He came to my college the City of Birmingham College of Education to deliver a referees course. Yes I qualified as a referee following a short exam in 1967. Following College I established my first club, Warley teachers which became Warley Phoenix and that became Haden Hill and we just missed out on promotion to Division 1 of the national league by sets lost to Sale, and then we became West Bromwich.
What was the most difficult skill to master on court?
Getting the fingers on the ball as I wanted to be a setter and ultimately became one and didn’t blown for my setting too often. I learned from the players at Pogon the former top Polish club based in Birmingham in the late 1960s and early 70’s, in Great Britain in their day that originally they would set the ball from a serve and that the top players would tape small slivers of wood down their fingers to avoid breaking them. How times have changed with serves now being received with a volley!! Perhaps nothing is new! Pogon were a great team that formed the basis of Birmingham VC which won the National league even when Spark were around.
What makes you most proud of our Volleyball Family?
The camaraderie and no physical contact that makes it such a special and different sport to any other. It requires skill, athleticism and agility on the one hand and on the other hand it can be played by anyone anywhere for fun and purely recreationally. It also is the only sport with four disciplines; Beach, Sitting, Volleyball itself and now Snow. Truly a sport for all in all settings.
What was your greatest Volleyball achievement?
Persuading London 2012, the BOA and BPA to have all our teams playing in the London Olympic and Paralympic games closely followed by getting Beach Volleyball into the Commonwealth Games.
On a purely personal level I suppose being elected as Vice President of the European Volleyball Federation, and being awarded a special Award by the FIVB in recognition of my contribution to World Volleyball in Buenos Aires Congress and of course being President of Volleyball England and British Volleyball Federation.
What are you missing most during the lockdown?
Personal contact and not being able to hug my kids and grandkids. Also being able to plan the next 41st Sandwell Tournament which looks increasingly unlikely now.
What are you looking forward to most once the lockdown is over?
Being able to hug my kids and grandkids. Getting to watch and even participate in some Beach Volleyball and being able to meet up with friends and colleagues over a coffee.