Turning 15 - how the HEVO Programme continues to thrive

In 2011, the Game Of Thrones fantasy TV series premiered, tennis player Novak Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title... and the HEVO Programme came into being. 

Since then, a total of 833 individuals have passed through the programme, who have helped more than 53,000 people engage with the sport.

They are staggering numbers, and testament to the ongoing appeal – and success – of the programme, which continues to attract healthy numbers of students to sign up every summer. 

Volleyball England’s Strategic Manager for Safeguarding and Membership, Laura Allcoat, has been around for the last 12 of its 15-year history, so knows how things have unfolded better than anyone. 

And while the structure and content of the programme – and its hugely popular HEVO Conference held each September – has evolved over the years, she says the core goal of building a university network of volleyball influencers, who can develop their personal skills and leadership qualities along the way, has never changed. 

“In recent years we have restructured and made some changes, particularly around the HEVO Conference, which sets new HEVOs up for the year ahead,” said Laura. 

“We used to do separate 40-minute slots on different themes and topics and have a two-hour activator slot. 

“But we have learned that people enjoy being out on court the most, so we incorporate some of those elements we previously did separately, such as maximising use of time and engaging participants, into the activator session, which now lasts four hours. 

“We do lots of work now to help HEVOs understand how they can make participants feel at ease and comfortable when they first come to sessions, and on leadership skills. 

“We also have sessions focusing on indoor, sitting and beach – the three facets of the sport – which gives people a full appreciation of all aspects of the sport. Plus, we give students the chance to learn, go away and put together their own session and then come back to deliver it. 

“So, things have changed from when we first started, but I think they have been for the better, without it changing what we are ultimately trying to achieve.”  

This year has seen the HEVO Conference, which launches the new yearly cycle, moved to Loughborough University, following Volleyball England’s decision to make the East Midlands venue its new home for major events. 

Laura believes having access to some of the best sports facilities in the country has helped lift the two-day event another notch. 

She added: “The move to Loughborough has definitely given the conference more of a professional feel and I think the students appreciated it. 

“I think some of them who have never been here before were wowed by the sports facilities on offer, and we will look to use them to our advantage to make things even better in the years to come. 

“We were delighted that this year’s conference secured an NPS score of 82 and an average satisfaction rating of 9.14 out of 10, showing that it continues to be enjoyable, relevant and valued.” 

In the next two to three years, it is hoped the HEVO programme will hit 1,000 in terms of individuals who have taken on the role. 

It underlines that the programme – along with the Student Cup – remains central to Volleyball England’s strategy when it comes to engaging with university students. 

“Looking back through the pictures brings back so many memories, including in the early years at Kettering when we used to stay overnight at the venue for the HEVO Conference,” said Laura. 

“There have been some great success stories among the people who have come through the programme and it has played a part in keeping a strong interest in volleyball among university students. 

“As ever, we will be looking to improve the conference – and the HEVO programme – as a whole, and we already have some feedback to consider and ideas we want to implement for 2026-27.” 

Find out more about the HEVO programme by clicking here.