GB Volleyball gives upward spike for Sheffield's sports economy

News from the National Federations

Sheffield, Great Britain, December 4, 2009. Sheffield’s sports economy has received a significant boost with news that the British Volleyball program is remaining in the city in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The agreement between Sheffield City Council, members of the Sheffield Lighting the Flame partnership, Sheffield International Venues (SIV) and the British Volleyball Federation also ensures that several international matches and tournaments will be hosted in the city over the coming years.
Since 2007, when GB Volleyball based itself at the English Institute of Sport, more than 17 international volleyball teams have visited the city and a total of 23 European League, European Championship and World Championship matches have been played.
Financially the Sheffield economy has benefited from over £1 million of the program’s budget being directly spent in Sheffield on accommodation, events, travel and equipment. In May 2010, Sheffield will host a European Volleyball Championships fixture, which will see the GB men’s team play Azerbaijan on Saturday, May 15, at the EIS Sheffield.
Sheffield will also host the European Women's Volleyball Championships 2nd round pool games featuring Great Britain, Israel, Slovakia and Ukraine over the weekend of 28-30 May 2010 at EIS Sheffield.
Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Sheffield City Council said: “The Great Britain volleyball program is a major part of Sheffield’s sporting economy. We were delighted when the British Volleyball Federation decided to base their top athletes here in 2007 and we’re very pleased to be able to continue that partnership in the lead up to London 2012. Volleyball is a sport that is played across the world and by hosting international matches such as the European Championships next May we have the opportunity to display our city to athletes from across Europe. GB Volleyball already has a good record of working with local Sheffield schools and the Sheffield Volleyball Club is helping to increase the numbers of people playing the sport. We’re hopeful that this new agreement, that will see GB Volleyball act as an advocate for Sheffield with England Volleyball, will mean there are even more opportunities for local people in Sheffield to play this sport.”
Richard Callicott, British Volleyball Federation President, said: “The British Volleyball Federation is proud to call Sheffield home for our Great Britain men’s and women’s Performance programs. The progress we have made with both our men’s and women’s teams is going well and is clearly on track as we approach the Olympic Games. The support we have had from Sheffield City Council and Sheffield International Venues is invaluable in producing the British teams for London 2012.”
The announcement has also received support from another of Sheffield’s London 2012 hopefuls, world champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis. Ennis, who trains alongside many of the British Volleyball players at the EIS Sheffield Strength and Conditioning Gym, said: “The volleyball athletes are in the gym most days. They have an incredible work ethic and go through some very tough schedules, so it is great to see the progress they are making, I think my coach, Tony Minichiello has his eye on a few of the players who have the strength, willpower and natural athletic ability to be top performers."
Tony Minichiello agreed, saying: "Volleyball has some really special athletes who are working hard to develop their skills. There are a couple of players who are posting incredible scores which would make any coach sit up and take notice."

Picture: World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis training at the EIS along with British Volleyball players