British Volleyball took centre stage last weekend as they welcomed some of Europe’s top sitting volleyball players for the UK’s first international sitting volleyball tournament since London 2012 Paralympics came to the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham.
The three-day event was a resounding success, which showcased the spirit of inclusivity, athleticism, and camaraderie that makes sitting volleyball such a remarkable sport.
With immense appreciation, BVF would like to acknowledge the efforts of ParaVolley Europe, UK Sport, the University of Nottingham, the volunteers, and athletes for their pivotal roles in making this event a memorable tournament for all.
Joanna Cook, Performance Manager at the British Volleyball Federation, said: “First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere thanks to ParaVolley Europe for entrusting us with the honour of hosting this years Silver Nations League tournament. Their support and cooperation were invaluable throughout the event’s planning and execution.
“Alongside the crucial financial support from UK Sport, they have enabled us to continue to inspire and promote diversity in sports through showcasing sitting volleyball in the UK.”
Cook continued: “We would also like to thank the University of Nottingham for letting us host the event at their state-of-the-art facilities. The David Ross Sports Village provided an exceptional venue and a welcoming environment for all the participants, which played an instrumental part in creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere throughout.”
Alongside the tournament, BVF organised inclusive ‘Come and Try’ sessions over the weekend’s action, which aimed to introduce sitting volleyball to individuals of all ages and abilities.
Participating in one of these sessions was Community Integrated Care, who showed their support by presenting thoughtful gifts to the GB men and womens teams in a heartwarming gesture before the tournament commenced.
Volunteers also played a crucial role in running the event, whose roles included court managers, courtside assistants and stewards, as well as line judges and scorers, who took part in internationally recognised official’s qualification prior to the competition.
On the help of the volunteers, Jonathan Moore, Major Events at Volleyball England, added:
“The dedication from the volunteers who generously contributed their time and effort to make the weekend an incredible success. Their commitment and tireless support helped make the tournament flow seamlessly, and without them, events like these simply would not happen.”
The weekend’s thrilling action culminated in two captivating finals as Latvia’s mens team dethroned the reigning champions Poland to claim the gold medal, while Hungary’s dominant womens team emerged as convincing winners.
As hosts, Great Britain’s squads showcased their determination to qualify for Paris 2024 and beyond, as the womens team fought back from pool play defeats to secure a well-deserved silver medal. As for the men, they displayed resilience but finished in fifth place, narrowly missing out on medal contention.
