swva-newsletter – issue 330 – July

July 2018 / Issue: 330 / SWVA Membership: 1,800


Hi all,

It’s with great sadness that we heard the sad news of the passing of Serena Morten the other week. One of our many SW volunteers working for the sport and a lot of us would have seen Serena in action only a few weeks ago at the Inter Regional Championships. Please see a note below that I have been asked to pass on from Richard.

Time for a July Newsletter

SW Committee update:

It’s in December, we get requests from as far away as Aberdeen asking to take part, it’s the SW Vet’s Handicap Tournament for the over 35’s (and can be mixed). Exeter Riverside LC, 2nd of Dec, only SIX places left. https://www.swva.org.uk/sw-vets-tournament

The Inter-League Tournament is an event that ran from 1984 to 1993, I believe it had the top two teams from each local league from around the region. The Wiltshire and Hampshire leagues are currently onboard for restarting the event, we will be contacting other local leagues later this years but if you are interested then please contact Steve steve@teamhaven.com and we will see what we can do (plus a Ladies event).

PS: Does anyone know if we had a trophy for this event (I never played in it myself).

S.W. INTER LEAGUE TROPHY                                            

  • 1983\84           AEE WINFRITH
  • 1984\85           STROUD
  • 1985\86           WEYMOUTH COLLEGE
  • 1986\87           WESTWARD
  • 1987\88           SUNWARD SURFF
  • 1989\90           WINFRITH
  • 1990\91           POOLE SPORTS CENTRE
  • 1992\93           WINFRITH PROTONS

JoVoTo & National U14 Festival Tournament

In the SW we have the SW Junior Grand Prix (SWJGP) for our younger members, a 4-A-Side game played on badminton courts. In other regions this is called JoVoTo, so we may well be renaming the grand prix series for this season.

The West Midlands have also offered to host an Inter-Regional style U14 festival, so our top club and school teams may well be competing to represent the SW this season – something to aim for, watch this place….

Dave Reece

Past Newsletter: https://www.swva.org.uk/newsletter


Tribute to Serena Morten

It is with great sorrow that Volleyball England shares the news of the passing of Serena Morten.

She became ill at the Super 8s Finals and in her persistent way still came along to the junior finals and Inter Regional Championship to do what she does best: be there for everyone. Shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and passed away on Friday.

Serena was Volleyball England’s safeguarding lead and worked closely with staff at the HUB and other volunteers.

A stalwart of the volleyball community, alongside her husband Richard, she dedicated so much to helping others enjoy the sport. She was such a caring and approachable person, who will be sorely missed by the volleyball community.

from: www.volleyballengland.org

– – – – – – – –

Serena sadly passed away after a short illness on 29 June. Instead of flowers we are raising money for two charities, the NSPCC and Diabetes UK. For many years Serena had been involved with the NSPCC both at her school and particularly at Volleyball England.

Serena’s funeral will be at Semmington Crematorium at 14:30 on Friday 20thJuly.  All are invited, and we’d love to see you afterwards in the Town Hall, Calne (even if you can’t make the Crematorium).

We’re going for colour rather than the traditional black and white.  Family flowers only but small donations via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/SerenaMorten to the NSPCC and Diabetes UK would be much appreciated.”

Richard M


Bristol Coaching Opportunities

Are you an experienced coach looking for a new opportunity to showcase your skills?

Bristol VC has a number of exciting coaching opportunities available for the 2018/19 season.

  • Ladies Super League
  • Ladies NVL 2
  • Men NVL 2

Bristol VC is one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the south west.  It’s well-funded, is full of great people, and has a bright future ahead of it.

We understand that coaching is a significant commitment, so (modest) remuneration is available to anyone getting involved.  We will also fund any coaching qualifications that are required.

If you are interested in getting involved, know someone who might, or just want to know more, please get in touch.

info@bristolvc.org.uk

Bristol VC
www.bristolvc.org.uk


Event Team Opportunities – The Home Nations Junior Beach Cup


Some of you may know that on the 6-8th August (Monday to Wednesday after the Welsh Open) The Academy of Beach Sports is organising along with Cardiff Beach Volleyball and The BVF – The Home Nations Junior Beach Volleyball Cup. At The Cardiff Beach Volleyball Centre.

It’s the first time for this event and it’s shaping up to be exciting for the young people involved. Think UK School Games on The Beach. We have teams from Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. Approx 60-80 athletes taking part in the U13 to U21 age groups.


We are looking for volunteers of all kinds, from ball retrievers, referees, kitchen assistants, court managers, photographers to web admin. What ever time expertise or support you can give would be really welcome.

We don’t have a budget it’s all for the love of growing the game. But anyone who would be willing to give any amount of time please do contact for more info.


Not live yet but keep an eye on: Inter-beach.net for more info and event details.

Thank you
Denise Austin
denise@beachvolleyballinc.com


Heavitree Park Life Tournament Exeter

The Heavitree Park Life Volleyball Tournament returned for its second year on another glorious sunny day, with Heavitree Pleasure Grounds providing a fantastic scenic background.

Twenty teams competed split into two divisions after 70 matches we had our semi-finalists in each division. Despite the heat it was a day with some excellent volleyball and great camaraderie between the teams, with several playing in their first tournament, through to seasoned campaigners.

Exe Men

In Division 1 both semi-finals were extremely close fought matches, with last year’s winners Kernow just holding off Shark in Park by a couple of points. It was even closer in the other match with Exe Men just one point ahead of Friends United. In the final local team Exe Men showed their determination to get revenge from a loss to Kernow in the early rounds and took the title from Kernow.

Bristol Hornets

In Division 2 local teams Basia and the Giants and Bidders Beauties both lost out in their semi-finals to set up a final between Bristol Hornets and G JAB (from Weston-Super-Mare). Bristol Hornets were too strong for G JAB and comfortably took the Division 2 title.

Event photos at: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MMf5WB/

Rachel Swindell


VE Annual Report released

Annual Report released

The Volleyball England Annual Report is out now and available to download.

Looking back over the past 12 months, the report delves into how Volleyball England has been finding new ways of working to move the sport. Volunteers have been a huge part of that and helped to revitalise many projects, programmes and competitions. There is no doubt that the past year has had its challenges but each hurdle that has been overcome has helped to build stronger foundations for the organisation. Read all about it in the report which speaks to the membership through:

The Chairman’s Report – Adam Walker explains how work behind the scenes has made Volleyball England a more robust organisation so it will be able to have a greater impact on the volleyball community.

Spending Report – see where Volleyball England gets its money from and how it was spent in the last year.

Reports of programmes which have served the core market, a review of the talent pathway and technical developments, and a look back at Volleyball England’s competition calendar for last season.

Regional Reports – there’s a round-up from each of the nine volleyball regions about what’s been happening in their area.

Plus hear from the CEO on how Volleyball England is evolving, how the commerciality of the sport is being developed and from the Financial Director about how new financial controls will help provide better volleyball programmes and experiences.

Download the Volleyball England Annual Report 2017/18 now.