In addition to an increase in numbers and retention of young players, the ultimate measure of any talent development structure we adopt is the performance level of our Senior National teams. This provides an important indicator of the general health of the game in England and of the performance of the organisation (EVA) as a whole. Furthermore, it is widely recognised that the growth of the game requires good role models, opportunities for PR/marketing and a motivation for talented players to achieve their potential through clear pathways.

With this in mind, it was the conclusion of this group that representative age-group squads should be the first step into serious volleyball (serious training, coaching, organisation etc.) and as such they should be considered an integral part of the performance programme. Furthermore, the philosophy of the regional talent development programmes should reflect the overall objectives of the performance structure. In this way, talented young players should be recruited and developed with a view to what they can become in the future rather than the qualities they possess in the present. Decision making should always be guided by what is best for the development of the individual performer with the aim that they are continually challenged at the appropriate level and perhaps challenges those involved to think differently - think process rather than outcome, think long-term rather than short, think big picture rather than small.

The aim is to develop a family of coaches, managers, players and administrators who share a common objective and who are supported in their efforts to contribute to the longer-term future cultivating a genuine feeling of ownership of our national teams. The value that is put on membership of our national programmes is very much determined by the standards that we set – the higher the standards, the greater the value.

Through the involvement of leading coaches in this programme there are numerous benefits to both players and the coaches involved with the programme:

• Individual Coach development (mentoring, education, qualification etc.)
  
• Programme planning (inc. training volume/frequency, competition etc.)
  
• Player Recruitment (talent ID, profile etc.)
  
• Technical development of players (monitoring and delivery of an agreed technical menu adopted nationally)