WESSEX VOLLEYBALL JUNIORS

The current players in training squad are:

Sophie Boyd
Alex Clare
Ailsa  Crammond
Mark Garcia-Kidd
Dan Hunter
Oli Kimber
Zoe McAuley
Paige Nelmes

Players in England Cadets are:

Matt Hunter
Joe Lambe
Dan Marsh
Aaron Robertson
Dan Riddle

National Championships 
Under 18 Men - RUNNERS  UP
Under 14 Boys - CHAMPIONS
under 14 girls - RUNNERS UP

Junior Refree Awards
Congratulations to
Ross Molero
Paige Nelmes
Dan Merrell
Zyanya Jackson
Ryan Merrell
Joseph Lambe
Craig Duckmanton
 
......who passed their Junior Referee Award after taking Nick Heckford's course.
......and to Matt Pretty who passed his EVA Level 1

Training Dates
The South West competition dates and squad training dates and forms are available from the SWVA link (left) or Click HERE

The Wessex junior beach volleyball sessions will be held on Monday evenings during July at Sandbanks beach from 7 to 8.15. (Weather permitting so please check if there is any doubt. Call: 01202 740021)  Cost £1.00

Fixtures
Click HERE for fixtures list

Dan Hunter to represent GB
Wessex Under 18 Captain, Dan Hunter has received a major boost to fulfilling his dream of representing Great Britain in the London 2012 Olympics. He has been selected to join 24 other budding Olympians from all over the UK to attend a the national development programme at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield from June, which will include entry into the European Championships, European League and the NEVZA tournament in Iceland.

On receiving the news Dan, currently in the 6th form at Poole Grammar School said; “When I read the email, it was like winning a major trophy. I knew it would be a difficult choice as there are so many good players across the Country, so I am thrilled to have the chance”. Dan, who has already won a number of national club awards as well as England caps at Junior level, recognised the support that he has received locally. “The Wessex coaches and my club mates have been fantastic and have given me every encouragement over the past few years. I have been fortunate to receive support from Fitness First and as a member of the FANS (Free Access for National Sportspeople) scheme, have access to local sports facilities to work on my fitness. To be paid to play the sport that I love is a real boost and means that I can hopefully do some academic studying at Sheffield University as well”

Although volleyball is one of the world’s 3 biggest sports (800 million players in 227 countries), it has not had a high media profile in Britain.  However, the build-up to London 2012 is changing that, with both indoor and beach volleyball receiving much greater media attention.  UK Sport is investing several million pounds in our top players over the next few years, in order to get us to world-class.

Dan's Story
I started playing Volleyball at school and with Wessex Volleyball Club at the age of 13. I am now getting ready to join up with the Great Britain Men’s programme.  In the last 5 years I have had a number of successes with Wessex both indoor, on the beach, England Cadets and Juniors. My most memorable moment was lifting the National Cup in 2007 as captain of the U18s team.

During my time with Wessex Volleyball club I have played in both the U18 and U16 teams that have gone on to win 2 National Cups and be runners-up in 3 National Finals. In the 2007 National Final, that we won, I was awarded the Most Valuable Player.  I have had successes on the beach too, winning with my beach partners in the Men’s division 2, U18 and U16 competitions at the Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Classic. 

The Wessex Club is well known for its junior setup and success, but I have also played National League with the junior men’s team for the past two years. This year I have been awarded division 2’s Most Valuable Player, shared with 2 other players who were on equal votes at the end of the season. It has been a tough season for Wessex Men but the squad is getting stronger each year and progressing well towards the aim of competing in Division 1.

I have been given many awards whilst playing volleyball; in December 2007 I was proud to be awarded Dorset’s Young Sportsperson of the Year. I collected this award at a gala dinner event at Kingston Maurward College.  I was delighted to accept this award having had a very successful year in my sport with both the Wessex and England teams.

Last year I played at the UK School Games in Coventry. This was the first year volleyball had been brought into the tournament and the first team game to be introduced. I captained the England South team and we were overall winners of the tournament. I was awarded the Most Valuable Player. The UK School Games was an amazing experience and a competition that I wish I could do again!

I have trained and been selected to represent the England Cadets and Juniors over the past 4 years, gaining many international caps. I have travelled to Denmark, Italy, France and Belgium playing against some very competitive teams. I have played in the European Junior Championships, NEVZA and tournaments in the UK. Playing in the European Championships in a stadium made me realise how big volleyball is on the continent and I hope the sport continues to grow in the UK.

I have been extremely successful so far in my volleyball career but I would not have been able to do any of this without the time and dedication of everyone involved with Wessex Volleyball Club, especially my coach Lynn Allen and also my parents for chaperoning me around the country! I am truly grateful for everything everybody has done for me. I would not be where I am today without the help of all the volunteers involved with the Wessex Volleyball Club.

In the future I would like to be able to compete in the Great Britain team and gain more international caps, whilst working towards representing Great Britain in the London 2012 Olympics. It is a dream that keeps me training hard but one to which I would give anything to achieve.

Dan

Junior Honours