Consultation open on five-year vision for NVL

A five-year vision for the National Volleyball League (NVL) has been outlined in a consultation document released today – with registered volleyball England members invited to give their feedback.

It has been produced after gathering views from an advisory group made up of members of the Ace Service Sub-Group, Competitions Working Group hub staff and invited experts. 

The vision aims to help fulfil a stated aim in the organisation’s overall The Game Plan strategy of continually improving products and services that benefit clubs and volleyball’s communities. 

It also aims to deliver an operational plan objective to deliver a competition structure that engages, grows and retains people in the sport. 

The vision focuses on three priorities: 

• Reducing calendar congestion 
• Delivering a consistent league structure that will remain in place for the full five years 
• Driving up standards across the league and working with regions and counties to help those on the periphery. 

Among the proposals in the document are to cap the number of teams in the NVL at 84 teams each for women and men. 

These teams would be organised into four Division 3s of nine teams; three Division 2s of eight teams; two Division 1s of eight teams and a slimmed-down Super League of eight teams to be introduced from the 25-26 season. 

There are proposals to create minimum operating standards on and off the court for clubs wanting to achieve or maintain NVL status and install a clearer divide between the indoor and beach seasons. 

It is also suggested that the format of the National Cup is reviewed to free up space in the calendar and a consistent structure of promotion, relegation and play-offs be established to bring greater certainty. 

“I would encourage all members to read the five-year vision document in full because it not only outlines how we are looking to improve the structure and standards of the NVL, but also the reasons behind each of the proposals,” said Rob Payne, Volleyball England’s Strategic Manager for An Ace Service. 

“With a strong level of interest in joining the NVL, we believe this is an ideal time to drive up standards both at the top and the bottom end of the pyramid.” 

Once views and suggestions from members have been collated, the vision will be further refined ahead of the next Volleyball England Board meeting in late April. 

You can view the five-year vision document by clicking here. 

To give your feedback on the vision, click here.

The closing date for the receipt of feedback is Sunday 7th April.