October Board Away Day reflections

As part of Volleyball England's ongoing commitment to improving transparency and strengthening the connection between the Board and our membership, we’re pleased to share an update following the Board’s recent Away Weekend, held in Loughborough this past weekend.

The Away Weekend forms a key part of our annual governance cycle, combining a formal Board meeting with strategic deep dives into topics of importance for the future of volleyball in England.

Board Meeting – Saturday Morning

The formal Board meeting, which began at 10am on Saturday, included updates and discussions across our three strategic areas: Volleyball for Life, Get. Keep. Grow, and An Ace Service. The Board reviewed progress against the 2025–26 operational plans, ensuring alignment with our long-term ambitions.

The Finance, Strategy & Risk Sub-Committee also met on the Friday evening to review the Quarter 2 financial figures. The sub-committee provided its report and confirmed its approval at the Board meeting.

We were also joined by John Worrall (Project Lead, Sitting Volleyball), who presented the Sitting Volleyball Development Plans and outlined key priorities for the next 12–18 months. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to elevating and continuing progressive conversations around Sitting Volleyball, ensuring it receives equal attention alongside Beach and Indoor disciplines.

Strategic Deep Dives – Saturday Afternoon & Sunday Morning

The Away Weekend provides valuable time for the Board to focus on deeper strategic topics beyond the day-to-day business.

On Saturday afternoon, the Board welcomed Richard Williams (Project Lead – Competitions & Events) to present an initial outline plan and member insights aimed at creating a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable junior volleyball programme across the country.

The discussion included early work on a roadmap for future activity and engagement, all closely aligned to our Game Plan Strategy.

On Sunday morning, the Board was joined by two representatives from our Players’ Community (Ella Watson and Jana Flaherty), who, alongside a video from Irtiza Ahmad on the views of U18 players, shared candid reflections on players’ current experiences, perceptions, and priorities for the sport’s future direction.

The session provided an invaluable space for open dialogue, highlighting successes, raising challenges, and helping the Board consider how best to strengthen the connection between player experience and strategic decision-making.

A follow-up session with the Players’ Community will take place at the November Board meeting, ensuring that this important dialogue continues.

Reflecting on the weekend’s Board activities, Acting Volleyball England Chair Alison Shipway said, "It was a privilege to spend the weekend with such dedicated fellow Board and Hub Team members exploring how we continue to support, grow, and champion Volleyball. This weekend reminded us what makes our sport so special, its people, its values, its power to bring communities together and its capacity to ignite passion.

"Exploring ideas and plans with Richard and John from the Hub Team, along with Ella and Jana from the Players Community, brought fresh perspectives and helps us stay connected with the realities, opportunities, and challenges across our sport."

"It was also an important opportunity for us to connect more as a collective Board. Taking time to share experiences and socialise beyond Board meetings only helps strengthen our effectiveness and governance. We left feeling energised, united and excited for the future."

“What better way to wrap up the weekend than by celebrating the outstanding achievements of our teams, the U19 Boys, who claimed silver, and the Girls, who delivered fantastic performances, at the NEVZA Championships in the Faroe Islands. Truly inspirational! Congratulations to all!”

We Want to Hear from You

We encourage all members to share thoughts, reflections, or ideas on this update or on the sport’s current and emerging direction either through one of your elected Board Members or via our Have Your Say page.

We thank you, as always, for your ongoing commitment and passion for volleyball. Together, we’re shaping a stronger, more connected future for our sport