NVL newcomers part nine – Team South Wales 

Year formed: 2009. 

NVL Coach: Jose Castro. 

Social media handles: @teamsouthwales (instagram) and TeamSouthWales (Facebook). 

Website: Click here. 

The Team South Wales men’s team may only have formed ahead of the 2024-25, but they quickly encountered success in their maiden season. 

Competing in the South West League, the team “built a strong and dedicated squad of 17 committed players who trained consistently to a high standard”, according to Head Coach Jose Castro. 

That dedication was rewarded as the team secured the SWVA League Division 1 title at the first time of asking. 

Buoyed by that success, the men are now following the club’s women’s team into the NVL, who first played National League volleyball back in 2010-11. 

Back then, the women ended their first season at that level as Division 3 champions and the men, no doubt, will be hoping a similar story unfolds. 

“We are looking forward to challenge ourselves and compete against good teams, so that we can learn and improve,” said Jose, on reasons why the club applied to join the NVL. 

“We aim to solidify our culture of commitment, teamwork and performance.” 

Team South Wales’ women’s team was established in 2009 and play at Eastern Community Campus in Cardiff. 

Since then, the team has progressed through every division, reaching the Super 8s in 2013. 

Along the way, it reached the National Shield final twice, securing victory in 2012 and, last season, they were promoted back to Division 1 South, having finished second in Division 2 West. 

Those exploits have acted as significant inspiration for the men’s team who are also looking to progress up the national ladder. 

In their debut season, with a home base at the University of South Wales Sport Park in Pontypridd, they will face the likes of Weymouth, City of Bristol, Spelthorne Tigers, Bristol 2, Bedminster, Urbond Portsmouth, Guildford International and Southampton 2. 

Jose added: “This moment (the men joining the NVL) marks a significant milestone in the club’s history, especially as the women’s team are making their return to NVL Division 1. 

“Our motivation is to compete at the highest possible level, and the NVL offers an outstanding platform to achieve this ambition.” 

Team South Wales has a strong link with Cardiff Beach Volleyball Club, with players regularly transitioning between beach and indoor volleyball. 

The club hopes to use this partnership to further strengthen its teams moving forward.

Find out more about the NVL by clicking here.