AGM 2026 summary - new Board members and Delivery Leads confirmed 

Held at SportPark on the Loughborough University campus, it also saw Rowena Hackwood oversee her inaugural AGM since becoming the organisation's first female Chair. 

Appointed as a Director was Katarina Cepinova, who is an active international referee and ambassador for Volleyball England's Her Call refereeing group (24 for, 12 against, 2 abstentions). 

Also voted in was Julie Kouamo, who has played volleyball since the age of 14, including for multiple clubs in London, and has a keen interest in diversity and inclusion (20 for, 14 against, 4 abstentions). 

She was joined on the Board by former England Talent Pathway and current Malory Eagles Super League player Sophie Szysko, who specialises in risk management and strategic planning (20 for, 13 against, 5 abstentions).  

They replace three members of the Board who were stepping down – Jake Sheaf, Brendan Fogarty and Richard Harrison, with the trio sincerely thanked for the efforts during their time in post. 

Taking up the role of Officials Delivery Lead was Richard Burbedge, who was voted in ahead of Lenny Barry by a margin of 31 to 8. 

Jane Ashbrook became Children and Young People Lead (35 for, 1 against, 2 abstentions), while Richard Harrison was confirmed as new Coaching Delivery Lead (26 for, 8 against, five abstentions). 

A special resolution – to allow Volleyball England to hold virtual and/or hybrid AGM meetings to encourage greater participation in the process – needed a 75% share of the vote to be passed, but was voted in unanimously. 

The meeting also saw an Annual Report presented by Chief Executive Charlie Ford, where he highlighted some of the successes from the 2025-26 period, as well as some of the challenges to come. 

He also explained that the Board were opting to "sunset" the existing The Game Plan strategy four years early and the organisation would spend the next nine months consulting and putting together a new strategy ready for the end of the 2026-27 delivery period. 

"The Game Plan got us to where we are today, but what we now have to think about is what's next... how can we redirect or hone our focus on those key things that are going to make the biggest difference moving forward," said Ford. 

"We need to look what is best for our clubs, counties and regions from the bottom up, and I'm really looking forward to getting into this journey of strategic development, involving as many people as possible – we want to get the views of lots of interested people from across the sport." 

Volleyball England's financial position was outlined by Financial Consultant Kevin Fletcher, who detailed that while a budget had been agreed for 25-26 to invest £23,779 into the sport, a profit of £7,404 had nevertheless been recorded. 

This budget variation of £31,183 was explained by strong membership numbers, extra income from Volleyball England-run courses and savings on the annual HEVO Conference. 

The final portion of the meeting was reserved for members' questions, with a number of topics discussed, including volleyball in schools, DBS checks, measuring Volleyball England's impact and the mileage allowance for volunteers.  

Hackwood vowed to respond in the future to any points raised that remained unanswered and added: "I would like to thank all those who have made the effort to travel to the meeting, with some having long journeys, and raising the questions that have been raised. 

"I'd also like to thank all those who volunteer and give their time so freely to this wonderful sport, which is hugely appreciated – you are the engine room of the sport, hence my commitment to wanting to make sure we are hearing you and connecting with you."  

To watch the AGM back in full, please click here.