Wessex celebrates Women and Girls in Sport Day

Held at Parkstone Grammar School on 6th September, the event was hosted by Wessex Women’s 1 and led by Head Coach Katelynn Slade alongside Kaitlynn Zdroik-Morris.

The day featured mixed training sessions, matches and a Women’s 1 exhibition showcase, giving junior players the opportunity to play alongside senior players and see women coaching, competing and leading within the club.

The event was created to encourage girls to see opportunities in volleyball beyond playing, including coaching, refereeing and leadership roles. Two MVP awards and four Future Leader awards were also presented, recognising both performances on court and the leadership shown by young players throughout the day.

Head Coach Katelynn Slade said: “We wanted the players to walk away not just having played more volleyball, but having seen women leading, coaching and competing right in front of them – and knowing that could be them one day too.”

The event also formed part of Wessex Volleyball Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations. A special display featuring kits, medals, trophies and memorabilia highlighted five decades of women at the club, including players who have gone on to represent England and Great Britain.

Women currently make up more than half of Wessex’s coaching team, with 12 of the club’s 23 coaches being women, including two aged just 16.

Following a positive response from players and parents, the club hopes the inaugural Women & Girls in Sport Day will be the first of many.