The man with many ventures and roles in Sitting Volleyball, now leading things in England.

1 – How did you get involved in Sitting Volleyball?

I think relatively unusually for a person with no disability, I actually started playing Sitting Volleyball before I had ever played any other form of the game.  I was studying Sport at Loughborough University when a relative began playing for the Great Britain sitting team and I went along to watch their training session.  As they were just starting out, I was invited to join in with the session and immediately enjoyed playing the sport and the new challenges it brought me.

Loughborough Lions Volleyball Club were starting to run Sitting Volleyball sessions at the time and I got involved as a player, volunteer and eventually a coach.

2 – What is it that motivates you each day to further develop our sport?

I am passionate about sport and the ability it has to make a difference. Sitting Volleyball is a fantastic example of this – it can bring together people of any age, male and female, with and without a disability to all play together. I have seen numerous examples of how the sport has helped people to develop physically, psychologically and socially and I strive to allow more people to experience this.

3 – What has been your biggest achievement in Sitting Volleyball to date?

Being involved with London 2012 was an obvious highlight however I am most proud of leading the delivery of the sitting volleyball competition at the 2014 Invictus Games.

Despite having a relatively short space of time to organise the event, sitting volleyball featured in the launch of the event, where Prince Harry played and we appeared on BBC’s the One Show. The competition itself took place at the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Thousands of people were there to see the British Team beat the USA in the final with some of the match appearing live on BBC.

4 – How would you explain Sitting Volleyball to someone in 12 words or less?

Fast & exciting, played on the floor by players with & without a disability.

5 – Where/how do you see Sitting Volleyball in 10 years time?

In England I believe it will be the top team sport for participants with a physical disability.

I also expect to see a number of variations of the sport to allow people with a range of disabilities to participate on a more regular basis.

Internationally I believe the sport will continue to develop, with a greater number of nations participating and the standard of play improving.

I also think there will be a move towards international competition for people with an without a disability to participate together.

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The ‘Movers & Shakers’ initiative is aimed at giving more recognition to those that are developing Sitting Volleyball around the globe.

It can be anyone working in the sport, whether they have excelled at promoting it, ran a successful competition, started a new club/activity, organised events to increase awareness, influenced people for the greater benefit of the sport or a combination of the above.

Please do let us know if you know of someone who deserves to be highlighted by e-mailing
volleyslide@worldparavolley.org with the following:

• Full name
• e-mail address
• Country in which they mainly work
• A short justification of why you are putting them forward

Their story will also offer others a chance for others to learn from their good practise and use what works in their area for even greater benefit.  This is your chance to give recognition to those who promote and build the sport of sitting volleyball.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Previous Mover & Shakers: