It’s one thing approaching a new event as a relatively experienced event volunteer, but quite another experience when it’s with a National Governing Body you’ve had no prior contact with. So I approached the London Legacy Volleyball  Cup organisation  with a good degree of curiosity and just a little uncertainty.

Without question, the blend of the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the conspicuously high standard competition from both home and abroad teams had certainly caught my eye, as did the variety and quality of volunteer roles on offer.  So, straight away, this looked like an attractive opportunity and well worth applying for.  Subsequently, I was delighted to be offered the role of Client / Spectator Services Team Assistant Manager.

Pre-event communications were clear, timely and detailed but also, importantly, they struck the perfect note between being friendly whilst still professional.  On site briefing on the evening before the event was really effective and arrangements for things like accreditation, kit, meals etc., were really well organised and straightforward.

Absolutely key was, that I was given plenty of opportunity to make a material contribution to the smooth running of the event for the two competition days, and enhancing the experience of its attendees, yet there was still ample opportunities for breaks and a chance to see plenty of play – which represented some the best volleyball I’d ever seen.

Really importantly for to me experience, the overall organising director and our excellent team manager Rohan West, was very accessible and approachable (despite clearly juggling very many responsibilities over the weekend) and yet gave me and my fellow Assistant Managers the ‘room to work it out for ourselves’.  There was genuine trust and respect on display, something that was also reflected in the inter-play with volunteers and other Volleyball England staff. I understand this is what they call the “ volleyball family” and it was!

Ultimately, I was proud of the event and pleased to have played a small part in its success.  Like me, my small team had given up their entire weekend to support the London Legacy Volleyball Cup and several of them had little experience or knowledge of volleyball.  Nonetheless, this was a positive experience for all of them and all reported to me that they had felt valued, well looked after and would be pleased to step forward again if the event were re-staged.

So a big well done to all the Event Organisers and thank you from this volunteer for letting me play my small part – I had a great time!  Based on this experience, I’d certainly be delighted to consider volunteering for Volleyball England  in the future and recommending to others that they do the same.

The article was written by David Hayday and his role during the event was Client / Spectator Services.