Trophy Cabinet

Celebrate our achievements! On these pages you will find out about achievements of Volleyballer's in our area. If you have some good news to share, please send it to the TVVA for inclusion here.

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May 2007 - Marske VBC Press Release

Marske Volleyball Club has reason to celebrate after being placed third in the country for the prestigious award of Club of the year.
Four members of the club travelled to the annual Awards evening held by Volleyball England at Kettering. The Award recognises the work of the club in developing the sport in a safe environment for all ages. The club has recently achieved Volley 1 the Volleyball England club accreditation and has been working hard to bring on the many people in the community who attend the club. The club has been playing Volleyball at Bydales School Marske for 24 years, having been started in 1982 by an ex teacher. The club is now thriving with many junior members who attend Bydales and other local schools.

 Lesley Shepherd accepted the award

“ This award means so much to me and the club it is the recognition of many years of hard work to ensure that volleyball stays thriving at Marske.  The committee has put in many hours to achieve this accolade”

 The Award also comes with a £250.00 cheque from Volleyball England.
The Club is definitely having a good year, they have also just received a coaching kit pack from Barclaycard Space for Sports. This provides team t-shirts for all members as well as coaching aids, jackets, caps, water bottles.

Four of the junior members are representing the North in the Inter Regional Finals at Norwich. A great thing as the club enters the summer season of outdoor tournaments. First is the White Rose Tournament held on grass 6 a side at Northallerton Rugby club. Then a weekend away for the junior teams at Pontins where the club will be entering U13 and Under 15 teams. Redcar Beach Tournament sees the juniors out in action again. The final tournament is Bridlington Beach Tournament, which sees adults, both serious and recreational, spend a weekend on the beach playing 4 a side mixed and two a side. Marske have 3 teams in the local league run by Tees Valley Volleyball Association. The first team play in Division 1 and are currently in first place. The second team ( made up mostly of under 16’s ) are 4th. The third team are all juniors from 12 to 15 placed 6th this is their first season and they have made fabulous progress

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5-7th May 2007 - Momentous weekend for volleyball in the North East

The North East continue to perform well at these inter regional tournaments.

This weekend the Junior Volleyball national finals have been held at a fantastic venue – the Sportspark at the University of East Anglia and the North East  won GOLD at the Under 14 Girls level.  The event had teams from 9 regions competing in girls U14 and U16 and boys U15 and U17.   The North East has never won gold at Under 14 Girls and has worked very hard this year under the enthusiasm and hard work of lead North East coach Martin Wain to ensure that the girls in this region had the opportunity to train on a monthly basis at Nunthorpe, Acklam and Conyers Schools.   

U14 Girls

The competition had two teams who played in A and B Team pools and both teams need to perform well to get the overall regional medal. The A team came top of the pool on the first day only dropping three sets in an very exciting day of top class volleyball and continued to totally dominate on the second day.  They were the worthy overall champion of the regional A teams.  The team comprised of: Rachael McManus (Captain - from Nunthorpe VBC ); Stefanie Dawson (Nunthorpe VBC and Acklam Grange); Emma Gordon (Nunthorpe VBC); Jenny Little ( Marske VBC) and Abby Sowden (Newburn VBC in Newcastle). All the girls made their region proud and were a credit to their clubs and families. Emma White who helped out the region by coaching and supporting the A team was in tears at the result ceremony and was speechless! 

The B team – nick named  ‘Go Bananas' and captained by Rachel Laws (Tynedale VBC) played really well against some physically stronger teams to win all their games on the Sunday and were then promoted to pay against the bottom two A teams on Monday.  The games were nerve racking and produced some great thinking volleyball.  The teams support for each other kept them believing in themselves and produced 6 winning sets and 3 sets that were only lost (15-13; 15-13 and 16-14). The nail bitten coach – Caroline Little said ‘ the girls kept their head and hearts in the games and played themselves and the region proud, we are absolutely ecstatic with this result’.  ‘ Go Bananas’ were: Raychel Laws(Captain- Tynedale VBC); Charlie Whalley and Ria Wilkinson (Marske VBC);  Sarah Stutterton and Stefanie Collins (Acklam Grange) and Amy Rout (Nunthorpe VBC).

Even more acclaim for our region, not only did we win overall, Volleyball England also had a Coach voting competition where coaches vote over the two days for the best players from the other teams that they would like to make up a ‘Super 6’ volleyball squad.  On the Sunday one of our regions U17 lads won a place in the ‘Super 6’, namely Kieron Sowden (Newcastle VBC). A well deserved award for a hard working dedicated volleyball player.  On the Monday the girls ‘ Super 6’ were named and for the first time our region got a player in the ‘Super 6’ for under 14 level.  Image the faces if you can when we found we had 3 from our region in the ‘Super 6’ – Rachel McManus; Emma Gordon and Rachel Laws – the screams and shouts reverberated around a very packed hall and girls who had been exhausted suddenly were bouncing and near hysteric.

This fabulous day could have ended with a disaster! The minibus turning up on time and the competition over-running by 2 ½ hours, due to the high level of quality volleyball meaning that all games were to the wire.  Had the minibus driver Mick from Acklam minibuses not been an absolute star and agreed to wait 2 ½ hours after he was due to leave to let us see how we had done, the girls would not have been present to receive their medals.  A massive thank you to Mick, the girls will never forget their moment and as coaches we won’t either.

Supporters had a fabulous time over this weekend traveling from as far as Chester le Street and even having supporters on crutches arriving!  Hopefully over the next few years we will have more and more people involved with volleyball and coming to support.  The clubs in the North East are putting a massive investment of time, energy and enthusiasm into developing youth squads so watch out for us in 2012!

U16 Girls

Sunday saw the arrival of the girls. They had been training hard since September, and there were signs that they were going to do quite well.

The U16 girls championship, was full of top teams, with many of the girls playing in the National leagues around the country.

A very tough opening game against West Midlands finished in a draw, 25 – 18, 19-25, with the girls making many unforced errors in the second set. The next game was more promising with a good win against East Midlands. In the third game against North West they were faced against a team containing a huge powerful Polish girl who could easily have played in the U17 boys tournament. They battled through but lost the first set, although they took heart that they had played well. Early in the second set there was some very powerful serving from Kirsty Martin, and then Vicky Archard and this allowed us to remarkably pull away. The rest of the team were playing their part, and we finished by winning the set comfortably, and drawing with this team that ended up in second place. The girls finished the tournament on Monday with an outstanding performance from them all, beating a strong East side 26 – 24 in the second set of a very tight game. Great performances from all 8 girls. Jessica Smith, Vicky Archard, Sarah Naylor, Rachel Powson, Sarah Bell, Kirsty Martin, Kirsty Lang (capt) and Alex Worrall. The girls came 4th overall (coached by Martin Wain).

U15 & U17 Boys

The boys travelled down late on Friday night for an early start on Saturday morning.

The young U15 side (coached by Keith Sowden) were faced with a huge London side in their first game (London finished up winners), and at 10 – 0 down we wondered where the first point would come from, then at last after realising that they could compete, they gradually eased into the game. They lost by 2 sets to 0, but had learnt a huge amount in a very short time, and this carried them through the rest of the competition.

Steven Harrison, Brent Thompson and captain Thomas Loughran were outstanding, with Zac Sinclair, Daniel McGowan, Joel Edwards, Ryan Gray, Robert Lucas and Alistair Leigh improving with every game. They finished 6th

The U17 boys (coached by Steven Talbot) started with a bang, overwhelming both their first two opponents, East Midlands and South East. They continued their winning form against West Midlands, before disaster struck when young John Chapman, a key player, went badly over on his ankle and was out of the rest of the competition.

Kieran Sowden was chosen by all the other regions as one of the best 6 players of the tournament. Michael Grainger, Simon Robinson also played at the top of their game, and good performances were seen from Andrew Railton, Kieran Chandler, Robbie Bates and Damien Reed.

The team finished up fifth, disappointing for the players as they were looking like a team that could win, before John’s injury.

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17th March 2007 - U16 Girls, National Knockout Final 8, Loughborough - Third Place

What a fantastic performance by Nunthorpe Under 16 Girls who secured a well deserved third place. The team (Amy R, Rachel P, Sarah N, Emma G, Rachael M, Abbie O, Jess S, Vicky A, Polly S, Kirsty M, Kirsty L, Becky B, Alex W & coach Dave M). First match Nunthorpe played Wiltshire Mavericks, the girls started slowly and lost the first set 25-22. Next set they started to settle in but were just beaten 26-24,  both sets being lost largely due to some uncharacteristic poor serving. Not a good start, but gave the girls a wake-up call. Second match was against Tameside 'B', the girls were up for it from the start, taking the lead and romping away to a 25-14 win. Next set went point for point to 11-11 then Nunthorpe established their superiority and took the second set 25-14. Third match, first set against St Edwards with the girls well in their stride was taken 25-16. The second set was more-or-less point for point with a small Nunthorpe lead until around 18-16 when some super serving took Nunthorpe to a 25-18 victory.  The final results for Pool 'A' were: 1: Wiltshire Mavericks; 2: Nunthorpe; 3: Tameside 'B'; 4: St Edwards. Pool 'B': 1: Tameside 'A'; 2: Ashcombe; 3: Boswells; 4: Moorside.  For the Pool play-offs, Nunthorpe played Pool 'B' winners Tameside 'A'.  The play-off started well with Nunthorpe establishing a small lead which was held to 20 points. With some strong serving Tameside fought back and overtook Nunthorpe to lead 24-20. Nunthorpe responded and pulled back to 23-24 but lost the final point and the first set 23-25. After such a close call for the first set, the team were a little deflated and allowed Tameside to dictate the play in the second set. Tameside opened up a lead and held on to it to take the second set and with it a place in the final, 25-15. It has to be said that the team was disappointed with third place as for a moment it looked like they may have beaten Tameside 'A' and had the team been at full strength - who knows? But at the end of the day, the girls performance was brilliant, they gave it their all and they can all walk away with their heads held high as the third best U16 Girls in the country!  Thanks must also go to Ian & wife, Alyson, Colin & Linda who provided excellent and very noisy support for the team. Colin Gordon.

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September 2006 - England Beach Volleyball Invitational Tournament

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Summer 2006 - Middlesbrough College Mavericks - Made their TV debut in Latvia after netting a trio of trophies! Squad: Hannah Conroy (capt); Mandi Mclean (ex Marske VB Club); Victoria Swindells; Heather Reid (ex Grangefield VB Club); Kirsty Lang (Nunthorpe VB Club); Kirsty Lamb; Rowena Carter; Sarah Burnett (ex Marske VB Club); Laura Wain (ex Nunthorpe VB Club); Lauren Worrall (ex Nunthorpe VB Club); Coach David Goodchild. It is great to see all these players from local clubs continuing to play and going on to represent the area and country through Middlesbrough College Mavericks.

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Summer 2006 - Marske Volleyball Club gain gain EVA Volley Mark 1 Accreditation

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May 2006 - Nunthorpe Eagles Volleyball Club gain EVA Volley Mark 1 Accreditation - The first NE club to gain accreditation and only the eighth in the country. This award is recognition that the club is a safe and responsible club.

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29/30-Apr-2006 - Sheffield Interregional - Well done to all the girls and coaches who took part this weekend. Dave McManus, Caroline Little, Amanda McLean, Rachael Bringloe and myself. And thanks to Jessica Smith and Abbey Oxley for their help on the 2 days. A lot of effort and time went in before this weekend and it really showed. These are the best results we have had for the girls in a number of years. The standard as ever was remarkable in both age groups. To see the best juniors from all over England playing with ability, enthusiasm and commitment is amazing and so to achieve these results is excellent, especially as most of our girls were very young for their groups. Most will be there again next year. U16 girls - 4th place out of 9 Regions. Against Yorkshire we won 2 sets to 0; Against West Midlands, won 2 sets to 0. Against South West narrowly lost in a very tense game 1 set to 2. Semi finals - against a very strong North West side we lost narrowly 0 sets to 2.  3rd/4th Play Off against South West, lost 0 sets to 2. The final set being extremely close. The squad consisted of girls from across the region: Vicky Archard - Conyers School, Sarah Bell - Acklam Grange School, Rebecca Brown - Nunthorpe Volleyball Club, Sarah Heptinstall - Conyers School, Kirsty Lang (capt) - Nunthorpe School/Nunthorpe Volleyball Club, Alex Laws - Consett, Sarah Naylor - Acklam Grange/ Nunthorpe VB Club, Rachel Powson - Acklam Grange/ Nunthorpe VB club, Polly Sewell - Conyers School, Rachael Walker - Acklam Grange School, Vicky Worrall - Nunthorpe Scholl/ Nunthorpe VB club.

The U14 girls played in the A and B competitions and the overall positions were taken into account for the final placings. We feel quite aggrieved here as the girls came 2nd in the A group and 3rd in the B group - coming level with a region that came 4th and 1st. On a very irregular count back we were put in overall 3rd position. I do not have the individual game results. The girls were Stephanie Dawson - Acklam Grange/ Nunthorpe VB club, Emma Gordon - Nunthorpe School/Nunthorpe VB club, Heather Grant - Acklam Grange School, Hannah Kent - Nunthorpe School/Nunthorpe VB club, Raychel Laws - Consett, Jenny Little - Marske Volleyball Club, Kirsty Martin - Nunthorpe School/Nunthorpe VB, Rachael McManus - Nunthorpe School/Nunthorpe VB, Clare Menzies - Marske Volleyball Club Amy Rout - Nunthorpe VB club, Alex Worrall - Nunthorpe School/Nunthorpe VB. It was also fantastic to see so many family/ friends travelling down to support us. Everyone, especially the players appreciated the support. I think we were louder than North West which made a pleasant change. The boys results will come in today. Martin Wain.

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02-Apr-2006 - Loughborough University BASICS finals - both the Prior girls, and the Middlesbrough College boys won the British Colleges National finals. The girls won convincingly not dropping a set throughout the tournament, and winning the final 25 - 7, 25 - 9. The six that played in the final were Danielle Coulthard, Nicola Milburn, Amanda McLean(capt), Laura Wain, Emma White, Lauren Worrall: with Nicola James, Caitlin Pearson, Anne McTiernon, Catherine Walker and Claire and on the bench. The team was coached by Brian McLean. The boys game was a much closer affair. Playing in front of a packed hall (about 2000 people watching) they were a very nervous team, especially as sky sports were recording the game. They won the first set relatively easily, but were 7 - 0 down in the second set before they won a point. They gradually clawed their way back, and the set swung one way and then the other. The team finally took the set 25-22. The very relieved coaches Paul Watt and Craig Alderson were interviewed by Sky Sports at the end. Look for the report on the telly! The team consisted of Simon Harsley (capt), Andrew Yates, Alex McGill, Shaun Richardson, Anthony Duffy, James Fenwick and ANO (sorry, please let us know your name). The best thing about this team is that they will all (apart from Duffy) be back next year. The next thing for most of these players is a tour of Holland over Easter, playing for British Colleges. Well done to all - two great days of volleyball, and gold medals for Tees Valley volleyballers. Martin Wain

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12-Mar-2006 - National U15 Girls - Nunthorpe U15 Girls Team - Kirsty Lang (Capt), Sarah Naylor, Rachael Powson, Becky Brown, Kirsty Martin, Rachael McManus, Emma Gordon & Amy Rout - Third place after losing to Tameside in the Semi Finals.

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24-Feb-2006 - Haughton Volleyball Club Receive £4940 from Awards for All

Haughton Volleyball Club, are pleased to 'Announce' a successful funding application from Awards for All. The grant of £4940.00 will be used for equipment, coaching, facility hire and marketing etc!. Haughton Volleyball Club aims to promote and encourage volleyball in every way. The award will enable the group to provide additional sessions for young people.

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12-Feb-2006 - North U15 Tournament - Cup Runner's up - Nunthorpe Eagles girls.

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04-Feb-2006 - North U13 Tournament - Runner's up in the Cup - Nunthorpe Eagles girls Rachel McManus, Emma Gordon, Amy Rout and Hannah Kent.

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N-Power Award for Leading Light nomination

Ian Berry - Volleyball

17-Nov-2005 - At the very prestigious Northern sports personality awards tonight, we were delighted to be present to see Ian Berry be presented not only as his category winner, but overall winner of the evening. This presentation was in front of approx 500 people (with personalities like Steve Gibson) who have achieved incredible heights in sport. A fantastic night for Ian and of course for volleyball in the North.

 Ian (middle) has been a total ambassador for the game of Volleyball in the North East of England for over 25 Years, with his contribution over this period  being nothing but remarkable. Starting playing back in the 70’s in what was then a virtual unknown sport here in the North East, Ian has over the period of time gain substantial experience not only in the game of Volleyball itself, but in strategic leader of the game.  He was so taken with the sport that almost the rest of his life he has dedicated to coaching, promoting, refereeing, encouraging and administering the sport. This along with representation on many national bodies eg Sport England, English Volleyball and various think tank groups, ensuring healthy well thought out targeted participation and mass promotion of the game in the North East in the particular areas of junior Volleyball.

 His enthusiasm took him into coaching in the early days and worked endlessly in teaching the game to numerous juniors in the North Tyneside area. As part of this drive Ian has coached his own children into Volleyball with his daughter Wendy playing at the highest level, as England Captain for a number of years in European competition.  His efforts have been tireless and inspiring to many of the players, coaches and officials across the North East and at International level. This has not gone unnoticed as Ian has been asked to sit on many groups not just for Volleyball (although these have been many) but his drive and knowledge has been recognised by Sport England who have enlisted his help and experience on many committees over the years, helping to set sport and in particular Volleyball high on the agenda.

 Ian has been instrumental in bringing a full time Development Officer to Volleyball, on more than one occasion to the North of England which allowed volleyball to penetrate schools across the region raising the profile. This required a very detailed business case outlining the benefits and specific targeted groups which all had to be pulled together and fully coordinated and approved by Sport England. Following this success and significantly raising the profile even higher Ian lead a successful bid to host an international here in the North East (first time outside London) in which both Volleyball, Education, Sport England and Industry were all embraced by Ian’s endless efforts, initially coordinating the bid, then the actual organisation of the full international, liaising with the World body in ensuring the event was highly successful, and demonstrating to the country the Spirit of Sport.

 His love for the game and the enthusiasm that he has shown over the years has increased the sport to levels that once over would never have been heard of. With competition from Football, Rugby, Cricket along with Netball and Hockey through Ian’s work Volleyball is common to most schools and with this platform has lead to strong leagues that now exist in Tyneside and Teesside which have been demanded due to the participation of youngsters playing recreational Volleyball. The region now has a very strong junior set up with many regional teams, which Ian promoted through the English Volleyball Association always competing in National tournaments with the region actually now being singled out for Sporting excellence by the English Volleyball Association, for good organisation and participation.

Bringing the unusual and striving for excellence has been a very common theme of Ian’s success. Never waning, always pushing, turning up for every meeting where ever it is being held in the North of England and whatever the weather, drawing up comprehensive plans, policies, strategies, setting milestones, targets all in line with current thinking, always aiming at Junior involvement, both at National and Local levels. Ian was instrumental in a recent initiative in including Volleyball at a regional Summer School in Sunderland, in which he was involved in the management of in conjunction with Sport England and other partners.     

Although Ian has semi retired he still has a burning ambition to see and watch Volleyball continue to be a success in the future, and is still coaching Volleyball in the North Yorkshire, with a view to onward development. It goes without saying that Ian is a constant font of knowledge and source of support for the entire Volleyball community in the region, with advice and information and always making himself available to anyone who may require assistance. Ian’s work, due to the time, effort and dedication has without doubt ensured the foundation and high degree of success the region has achieved , and will never be forgotten. Volleyball will be for ever grateful for his work in raising the profile of this game.

 Ken Maddison, TVVA Chairman