British Volleyball has been recently devastated by the passing of GB sitting volleyball player Kat Hawkins.
Kat was the 28th player to be capped by the women’s team and played 29 international matches in total.
Her first GB match was against Russia in January 2017 at the Pajulahti Games in Finland and she won her final cap against Poland in October 2023 at the European Championships in Italy.
Kat also featured in the GB team at the 2019 European Championships in Hungary and one of her highlights was serving eight aces against France in October 2023, making her the MVP in that European Championships pool match.
“Kat was an incredibly bubbly person who was the first to try to put a smile on other people's faces and make them laugh,” said Joanna Cook, Performance Manager at the British Volleyball Federation.
“She was a team player and wanted to use her voice to command a better situation for her teammates, or to have fun... getting every European squad member to go for a beach swim on a day off at the Euros was an interesting challenge!
“Kat loved sitting volleyball and enjoyed the social and friendship aspect it brought to her life.
“She will be sorely missed by the GB current and old squad members and staff. She touched us all in her own special way, and she will not be forgotten.”
ParaVolley Europe - Italy European Championships 2023
Kat first trained with London Lynx and continued to do so throughout her time playing sitting volleyball.
She also played for the Panthers side in the Volleyball England Sitting Grand Prix to help gain experience for the international scene.
Ian Legrand, who was Head Coach of the GB team during her time as a player, said: "Kat was a free spirit, with an infectious personality and a social conscience. Top Kat, always."
On Sunday (2nd March), Kat's passing will be marked with a minute's applause at the Volleyball England Grand Prix Final 4.
The GB squad players in action will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect and GB staff will also be in attendance.
British Volleyball would like to extend its deepest condolences to all Kat’s family and friends at this sad time.
Anyone needing further support can go to the Cruse and Mind websites for information on coping with bereavements.
