Player Community Group

The Player Community Group has been set up to champion player voice across all levels of volleyball in England, from grassroots to professional level, helping to shape and improve the game. 

It acts as a conduit between the players and the Volleyball England Hub Staff and Board of Directors in a bid to help improve the experiences for all who play the game in England.


How it works

 

Player Community Group graphic v2

Who serves in the group?

Zakk Hadgett

I'm Zakk - I started playing at school with Newcastle Staffs before moving to Sheffield and overseas in the Netherlands and Denmark. I joined the England set-up in 2018 and captained the Senior national team from 2022 to 2025. I recently moved back to England to work in the University of Staffordshire's Sports Department, alongside coaching the men's team.

Ella Watson

I’m Ella - I started playing volleyball aged 15 at school in Belgium. I continued to play BUCS, NVL and London League until Covid-19, where I found Deep Dish and was converted to beach volleyball. Since then, I’ve played all over the UKBT and in 2024 had my first England senior cap. Outside of volleyball, I work in operations for an expedition travel company called Raleigh International.

Amelia Turner

I’m Amelia - My volleyball journey began at 11 years old in Switzerland. I joined the England Team and moved to the UK for my higher education. I went on to play in the Super League before returning to Switzerland to play a semi-professional season. I’m currently working in Geneva with the FIA (Automobile Federation) Events Team with a focus on the FIA Awards ceremony of motorsport champions.

Veva Lopes

Veva plays for the London Inter Crocs in NVL Division 1 South. Full bio coming soon.

Irtiza Ahmad

I’m Irtiza - I’ve loved volleyball since I was 10, but living in Birmingham there were limited opportunities. Instead, I founded Five Ways VC at 14 and coached friends while teaching myself the sport. Now, we have multiple age groups competing in Grand Prix. We’ve beaten Wales’ national U18 side and I was a runner-up for VE’s Volunteer of the Year (2025). Outside of volleyball, I love playing piano, learning Adobe Photoshop and I’m working towards university entry for September 2026.

Jana Flaherty

Bio coming soon!

Contact the Player Community Group

If you want to discuss something with the Player Community Group, or have a suggestion, please email info@volleyballengland.org using the subject heading' Player Community Group'.

Group objectives  

  • To collect insight from current players to allow the Player Community Group to represent the voices of all players.
  • To bring small groups of players together to explore important areas of interest to drive change and improvement.
  • To provide day-to-day player voice across the Hub staff and delegated authority groups (Board, Sub-Groups, Community of Practices and Working Groups).
  • To play a central role in improving Volleyball England’s presence in the daily lives of volleyball players.
  • To act as ambassadors for volleyball, both within the sport and in the wider community.


Membership  

  • The group will be constituted of up to 10 current or former players. 
  • Former players must have played regular competitive volleyball within the last four years at the time of applying.
  • In principle, there shall be five men and five women, who have lived experience across all three formats of the sport (indoor, beach and sitting).  
  • The process of joining the Group shall be via an open application process. A selection panel shall appoint new members; the panel shall consist of least two nominated members of the Group and a member of Volleyball England staff.  


Attendance and term of service

  • Members are expected to attend at least half of the regular meetings and actively contribute the Group’s work.
  • Players may serve on the Group for a maximum of eight years (four terms of two years). The Group will be led by two elected co-chairs, one male and one female.
  • The co-chairs shall be elected by the group members for a term of two years, with the option for re-election. 


Meetings  

  • The group will meet at least four times a year and will, in collaboration with the Hub Team, organise an annual Player Seminar.
  • The co-chairs will be invited to present to the Board each year. Group members are 
    invited to attend delegated authority group meetings.
  • The Hub Team will provide secretariat support to the Group.