... this includes both beach volleyball and Indoor league volleyball.

Essentially, this results in competitions such as the Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Classic, and the Winter Indoor League.

Both of these competitions demonstrate the ideal of promoting the sport, in that they provide opportunities for people of different ages, gender, and sporting ability.

At one end of the spectrum we have complete beginners (youths or adults) who maybe more interested in the social / fun aspect of volleyball, than aspiring to achieve any sporting prowess, and at the other end of the spectrum there are players of great ability, who also play (or have played for in the past) for Regional or National Volleyball squads.

In truth, the average player just likes the game, a bit of healthy exercise, the social interaction, and a couple of beers afterwards (obviously, to quench the thirst whilst discussing the merits of the game).

So the PBVA would like to invite any person who thinks that they would like to try volleyball, to read through the teams pages and contact one of the many local volleyball clubs... it's great fun, and we will look forward to seeing you on the court!

Sponsors

Many thanks to Homeloan Warehouse Financial Solutions and Sportset for renewing their support for the PBVA.

PBVA achievements

Wessex have won over 30, mainly junior, National Championships .

Almost 30 local players have played for England , and over 60 for England Juniors.

Both the Wessex women’s and men’s teams have spent many seasons playing in National League Division 1.

For several years, both Wessex and OBC Poole were in Men’s NVL Division 1.

We have produced Britains finest ever referee, in our President, Jeff Brehaut, who refereed the Final at both the Atlanta and Sidney Olympics.

Some of our administrators have been involved at the highest national levels, as Directors of the English Volleyball Association, as Commission Presidents, or as England team managers.

Throughout this we steadily built up the number of teams competing in our leagues, and increased the number of divisions to our current four, with thousands of youngsters playing in local schools.

PBVA today

Even now, we are much stronger than most other volleyball areas throughout Britain :-

Wessex won the 2007 National Under 18 Junior Men’s Championship, and were third in under 18 women and under 16 boys

A dozen locally-produced players are part of the British Olympic preparation programmes for either beach or indoor volleyball.

Wessex women were 4^th in National League Division 1, and their men’s team 7^th in Division 2.

The Premier Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Classic attracted 220 teams to its 26 competitions, including 98 teams to the British Junior Beach Championships.

Almost 100 schools teams entered our local schools age-group championships.

Our two adult novice tournaments attracted 46 teams.

Nick Heckford refereed the Men’s National Final.

For a successful future

However, if we are to avoid going backwards, we must develop more quality coaches and referees.  We need coaches to develop our existing teams and create new teams.  How good the teams become depends largely upon the commitment and ability of the coach. We need more good coaches at all levels locally.

Wessex have struggled to find coaches for both their National League teams this season, as well as new coaches for their junior development programme.  Meanwhile, some of our Winter League clubs find it difficult to improve, even if the players want to, because they cannot find knowledgeable coaches to take their practice sessions regularly.

I would hope that there will be a lot of demand for the Level 2 Coaches Award being run at Bournemouth University in November 2007.

Remember to keep looking on the PBVA website for updated information about the PBVA (we always need articles, for this and our newsletters.  Send them to Lindsey White, our Publicity Officer).

Finally,

Thanks to all those who helped create the handbook, particularly Hugh Gurney, Sharon Wright and Terry Rickets. To all the committee members and others who give their time to enable you to play Volleyball, and to you for reading this far... have an enjoyable season.

Yours

Geoff Allen

Chairman