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New sitting volleyball talent identification programme launched

Great Britain Sitting Volleyball has launched its new talent identification programme to find new players. Sitting Volleyball Futures is a proactive approach to recruit potential new sitting volleyball players who may not have experience in the game, but who demonstrate the attributes identified as key to the sport.

Sitting volleyball session

While domestic sitting volleyball can be played by people of all ages and abilities, GB Sitting Volleyball Futures seeks athletes eligible for international competition to reinvigorate the squads in the next Paralympic cycle.

Richard Stacey-Chapman, GB Sitting Volleyball manager, said:

“We are excited to launch this new talent identification programme. We would encourage anyone who might be inspired by the Paralympics in Rio and thinks that they could make an impact on the game, to get in touch and come along to one of our sessions.”

At international level, players must have some level of physical impairment, including but not exclusively amputation, reduced range of motion or function in joints, weakness in joints or limbs, Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida.

During testing athletes will be assessed on a number of different elements to assist the talent identification process and support further development within the sport, such as physical profile, fitness and psychological profile.

Local events will take place around the country, many linking in with local clubs and key partners. These will give people the opportunity to try the game and complete some basic testing activity. Participants who demonstrate potential will then be signposted to local clubs and to national testing events.

Martine Wright MBE, captain of the women’s GB team, said:

““We hope that people will be inspired by the Paralympics in Rio to come along to one of our events to find out more about Sitting Volleyball. Sitting Volleyball has had a huge impact on my life and I hope that it can do the same for others. We have a fantastic team spirit within the squads and would love to have more people involved.”