NVL newcomers part six – London Lionhearts Leo 

Year formed: 1998. 

NVL Coach: Allan Mungroo. 

Social media handles: lionhearts_volleyball (Instagram). 

Website: Click here. 

London Lionhearts Leo join the NVL with lofty ambitions – and after seeing the progress their women’s team has made in recent seasons, it is easy to see why. 

Last season, the female Vinarius team continued their gradual rise towards the top end of the English game with an appearance at the Super League Final 4 in Crystal Palace. 

That landmark achievement came just five seasons (not counting the Covid-19 Pandemic year of 2020-21) after the Shoreditch-based team first took their place at the bottom end of the National League pyramid at the start of the 2018-19 campaign.  

Having seen that success, Lionhearts’ men now want a piece of the action as they hope for instant success in taking on the likes of Onyx, GNG Bedford, Rhinos Cambridge 2, Essex Estonians, Tendring, Worthing, London Wildcats and fellow newcomers Newmarket 2.

“The success of the Women's NVL team, Lionhearts Vinarius, has been a main factor in wanting to start a Men's NVL team,” said the club’s Social Media Officer, Andy Butt- Gow. 

“The men have seen the appeal of having such high level of volleyball being played constantly – the community that has with it, the competitiveness of facing higher level teams from across the nation and branching out of just being a London known club.” 

“This may be our first season, but our aim is promotion. With most of the squad competing at a higher level in their local leagues, anything less than that would be failing to meet expectations.” 

The Lionhearts NVL men’s team will be an exciting fusion of players spanning across their sides competing in the London Volleyball Assoication (LVA) London League system, including players from Division 3 all the way through to those turning out at Premier level. 

All those four teams had something to shout about last season, with the developmental Division 3 roster gaining the most wins in a campaign, the Division 2 roster only just missing out on promotion after being in the running all season, the Division 1 squad coming back strongly to escape relegation and the Premier squad finishing second in their division.  

Andy added: “We’re looking forward to finding our rhythm and getting involved in the new league. 

The members of the team will have known each other from being in the club, or seeing each other play for our respective London League teams, but very few will have played with each other. 

“The idea of creating a Lionhearts "Super Team", utilising members from all the teams and mixing everyone together, is something that is very exciting.” 

Lionhearts was founded by Alvin Spencer in 1998 within a large sports club that included football, cricket and netball teams. 

In 2008, the management of the Volleyball Club was handed over to Allan Mungroo and the vision then remains the same as today... strive to make the club the most successful competitive and social team in London. 

Since then, the volleyball club has grown and developed into one of the biggest and most-renowned clubs in the capital. 

Aside from the four men’s teams, there are three women’s teams in the London League, making seven in all. 

The women’s Super League and Men’s NVL teams are also supplemented by Junior Development training in partnership with the council and its home venue. 

Leading the NVL team into battle are set to be two players who have shone for their respective sides London League sides in recent years. 

Jonas Castro usually plays as a setter for our Division 2 London League team, who he also captains, but will be assuming the role of libero for the NVL team, which is the role he has the most experience in,” said Andy. 

“He was voted Best Libero in his National High School tournament back in Brazil, so he will be a key member to the squad's success. 

Another influential player is likely to be Babatope Alabi - one of our middles for the Premier squad. 

“Baba is one of the most versatile players on the roster, being able to play opposite, setter, and even outside or libero. 

“After coming off of a beach season, we expect Baba to be used in a variety of positions, with his high blocks, versatility in attack, and knack to put his body on the line in defence, being key contributors to why he will be a fan favourite. And that's not including his positivity on court.” 

Find out more about the NVL by clicking here.