HEVO Conference sees two days of key learnings for student-led volleyball

HEVOs are tasked with arranging volleyball beginner sessions and supporting volleyball development at their universities, ensuring they provide a welcoming and inclusive space for those who wish to take up the sport.

With the HEVO programme in its' 15th year, the conference acts as a central meeting point for HEVOs across the country to come together and share ideas, best practice and more. Students from different regions came together from across England to network and form new friendships.

The two days were split into a variety of theory and practical sessions, covering everything from running drills and practical sessions to applying for grant funding and what it takes to be a HEVO, as well as providing exposure to sitting and beach volleyball. 

The sessions, led by tutors, aim to allow HEVOs to make sessions inclusive and engaging no matter the size of the venue or amount of participants present. 

The first day saw the HEVOs learning how to lead and deliver a session - before being split up into groups to plan a session of their own to deliver to other attendees. The conference soon moved from the sports hall to the sand as the HEVOs delivered their planned sessions on the beach courts at Loughborough University. 

The day then concluded with further sessions in the sports hall before the HEVO Conference tournament in the evening, organised by the Senior HEVOs (SHEVO).

Day two would consist of more session delivery, before focusing on the theory of tournament planning, the role of a HEVO and applying for critical funding to run sessions, before reflecting on the conference as a whole and getting to experience sitting volleyball. 

Laura Allcoat, Strategic Manager for Get, Keep, Grow said: "This year's HEVO Conference was a success, bringing together Higher Education Volleyball Officers from universities across the country to share ideas, deliver volleyball activity and network with one another. The quality of the conversations, workshops and presentations highlighted the incredible work taking place across universities. 

"One of the key strengths of the event was the willingness of the student to openly share experiences, learn from one another and creating a genuine sense of community. I feel the conference reinforced the importance of the role and HEVOs left inspired with new ideas and practical insights to take back to their universities."

The HEVO programme has grown every year, with an increase in attendees and the number of universities represented providing an approachable way to get involved in volleyball.

You can keep up to date with the HEVO programme and find out more information about getting involved on the brand new HEVO Instagram page (@hevo_volleyball).

Full gallery of images available on the Volleyball England Flickr account.

Pictures by Calum Travers.