NVL newcomers part five – Plymouth Mayflower

Year formed: 2007. 

NVL Coach: Steve Allen. 

Social media handles: @pmvc_vb (Instagram), Plymouth Mayflower Volleyball Club (Facebook). 

Website: Click here. 

For Plymouth Mayflower women, returning to the NVL seems like the next logical step. 

With a young team now beginning to come of age, they are ambitious to take things onto the next level, having dropped out of the national competition at the end of 23-24. 

The one-year hiatus has allowed the team to regroup and refocus, enjoying a successful time locally in the South West League. 

Finishing top of the table the previous season, the women were promoted to the Premier South West League for 24-25, where they finished a creditable fifth.

It means an exciting few months lies ahead for the club on two fronts as they hope to improve their Premier League position and consolidating in the NVL. 

“Last season was amazing and our girls have proven their passion for volleyball,,, we have been very proud of their progress,” said Captain and Team Secretary Zorana Damjanovic. 

“The majority of the team have now turned 18 and we feel they are now mentally ready for this challenge. 

“We are very excited to take our girls to the next level and keep climbing up the volleyball ladder, having used last season as a development platform for our junior players. 

“What we’re looking for now, as we move into the NVL, is to see further improvement, further bonding and getting our confidence up.” 

In the NVL, the Devon side will face Bedminster 2, Farnborough Phoenix, Weymouth Waves, Portsmouth, Southampton 2, City of Bristol and Bristol 2, as well as being able to look forward to city derbies against Plymouth. 

Coaches Steve Allen will be looking for two of his more experienced players to provide guidance to their younger team-mates once the season gets underway. 

He said: “Captain Zo and Shauna Rendall are the two players that will act as role models next season. 

“They will guide the young team on the court and hopefully get through any difficult times the team may encounter.” 

Mayflower is a continuation of Plymouth Pumas VC, which was first formed around 2007. 

A community club, it runs regional men’s and women’s teams competing in the South West Leagues, as well as five teams playing in the Exeter and District League, a veterans’ team, a U18 boys team playing in Volleyball England’s Junior Grand Prix series and a thriving junior programme. 

“There are loads of things going on,” said Zo. “We work on junior development, play grass volleyball and we hosted a Volleyball England Assistant Coach Award practical last year. 

“We have also helped host and sponsor the South West Championship and have lots of social events to help with our fundraising.”

Find out more about the NVL by clicking here.