Blog Entry 1:  Living The Dream…

2012 is…a Leap year.  2012 is the year of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and it is also said to be the year that the world is supposed to end, according to the Mayan calendar and John Cusack’s 2009 blockbuster movie ’2012′.  Oh yeah and another small matter of the London 2012 Olympic Games!!

Lynne Beattie - GB Captain

For me, with the London Olympic Games on the Horizon, 2012 is set up to be the biggest year of my life so far.  It is the year that me and my fellow GB teammates have committed our lives to for the past 6 years and its’ the year that will see British Volleyball make history with the first ever British representation in the Indoor Volleyball event. So now, with the New Year well and truly underway, I wanted to share with you my experiences and ultimately my journey on the road to living my dream at London 2012 this summer.

As I write my opening entry, I am struggling to decide where to begin, as there is so much to tell.

With the image of facing the likes of USA’s Logan Tom, Russia’s Ekaterina Gamova and Brazil’s Sheila through the net, never too far away from my thoughts, where better to begin than the Olympic Volleyball Test Event, Earls Court, London, July 2011…

Prior to the test event, I had seen Earls Court once before, but only from the outside.  I had of course wondered what it would be like inside. How big would it be? How high was the ceiling?  How many people can it hold?  What will the changing rooms be like?  Despite all this time imagining the Olympic Venue, nothing could have prepared me for the enormity that was Earls Court.

As we arrived at Earls Court Tube station for our first match against Japan (currently ranked 3^rd in the world), exactly a year to the day before our first game at the Olympics, there was an excited silence amongst us.  No one uttered a word, but you could feel the excitement rise as we marched from the tube to the venue.  Through the dirty and slightly obscured tube station window, the huge Earls Court sign emerged in the distance. Everyone appeared to speed up, as the anticipation of what lay behind the sign grew too much.

Earls Court Olympic Volleyball Arena

Everything was organized down to a tee.  Security was there to meet us at the athlete’s entrance and as we breached the grand entrance of Earls Court for the very first time, but indeed not the last… there it was!!!

We were greeted by the event staff and shown to our exclusive changing room, which, from the outside resembled a Portakabin, but from the inside, slightly more luxurious!  The changing rooms were situated beside the 2 side by side warm up courts with blindingly bright lights and pristine white walls, but it was what lay beyond the practice courts that interested me most…the Olympic Match Court.   From a first glance it looked almost magical.  Some may say a volleyball court is a volleyball court, but what stood before us was breathtaking.  The court looked tiny in the enormous arena that was Earls Court.  The ceiling appeared to stretch as high as outer space and the lights were so bright that it felt like you were under a spotlight.  I immediately started imagining it full of people, with thousands of home supporters waving the Union Jack.

Earls Court - Olympic Volleyball Test Event

This was the moment my dream came to life.   There was no longer 6 years to go…there was exactly one year to go, 366 days to be exact.  For a moment I was in a fairytale, but only for a moment.  This was game day and I had a match to prepare for…so back to the changing rooms and back to business.  First up Japan. World Ranking…3!

Leading the team out onto court I could feel a huge surge of excitement.  One half of my brain was telling me that I was excited, the other half of my brain was calming the other side down and telling it that its just another game of volleyball.  This is fortunately the side that conquered (our sports psych’s have worked wonders); otherwise I could have been in trouble!!

Prior to this moment, the prospect of facing Takeshita through the net was slightly surreal, but there, face to face, with only a net separating us, it didn’t even register that it was her.  It was just us, against them.  We took to the occasion like a fish to water.  Point for point we competed against a team known for their flare and precision. We traded points, making defensive pick-ups and executing offensive combinations that they would have been proud of.  We were in a game and we were having the time of our lives.

Grace carter scores v Holland's Chaine Staelens

A 3-0 loss is never a result you are happy with, but we could be very proud of our performance.   Against 3^rd in the world we sure put up a good fight, making them think about us as a team to look out for in one years time!

Next up…Holland.  Holland is a team equally as admirable, with a world ranking of 12^th, but a completely different physical profile to that of Japan.  In contrast to the speed and flare of Japan, stood the towering height and power of Holland.

Click the link below to enjoy a highlights video of our matches at the Olympic Test Event.  It will allow you to see for yourselves exactly how every aspect of our game stood up to the challenge that both Japan and Holland presented us with…ENJOY!

http://gbwomensvolleyball.co.uk/2011/08/japan-netherlands-earls-court-2011-match-footage/

This tournament was not about getting results against these teams…although we believed we could.  It was a dress rehearsal, with the opportunity to taste the venue, the protocols and the level of volleyball required to compete with the best teams in the world. It was about testing our own unique style of play against two very different opponents.

GB Women's Volleyball Team

This year is all about the results.  We now know we can compete with the best, this year is all about the fine-tuning required to beat them.  This fine-tuning is now taking place all over Europe as we all compete in our respective leagues, training day in day out, making every touch of the ball count in order to be the best we can be come summer 2012.

As an individual, I know I can score against a towering block, pass the best serves in the world and defend the hardest attacks in the world.  It’s about doing it under pressure on the world’s largest sporting stage, time and time again from the first point of a match to the last.

Lynne Beattie with her team in Las Palmas

That is why I am here, in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, competing in the Spanish Superliga, training twice a day every day to make sure i am in the squad of 12 to compete at London 2012.  I want to be the best player I can possibly be come 28^th July 2012.  The opportunity to compete week in week out at such a high level, exposes me to similar challenges that I will be up against this summer.  The more I am exposed to these challenges, the better a player I become, and the better the team will be as a result.

At the half way point in my season, I have established myself as an important player for my team, CV Playa de Las Canteras.  We are currently sitting in second place in the league standings and in contention for a top 4 play-off position.

I intend to let you know more in my next blog about my life out here as a professional volleyball player, as my road to Earls Court 2012 unwinds, but for now all I can say is good volleyball, guaranteed sunshine, and friendly people are not such a bad combination.

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As a Xmas treat, the 300th member to sign up to our facebook page will win 2 Mikasa Balls. Click here to like the page

The SVA office will close on Thursday 22nd December at 12pm and will reopen on Wednesday 4th January 2012 at 9am.

Finally, everyone within the Scottish Volleyball Office, board and Commissions would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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All eyes were on Wishaw on Sunday as Scottish Volleyball closed out 2011 with a bang, with two simply epic finals in the Zoti Top Teams Cup. The trophies went East this year, but not without a mammoth fight from the beaten finalists.

Edinburgh Jets had a stunning come-from-behind victory over three-times winners Troon Prestwick & Ayr to capture their first silverware in ten years, while City of Edinburgh were stretched all the way for their third Top Teams Cup by a Stuart Edgar-inspired Kilmarnock Blaze.

Recent matches between Troon and Jets have gone the way of the Ayrshire side, and having posted an early 16-7 lead, and sealing out the first set 25-20, it looked like being Troon’s day again. Jets coach Martyn Johnstone took the bold step of benching his captain Agnes Michalowska for the second set, and this had the desired effect, as replacement off-setter Barbara Terlouw served Jets into a 16-7 riposte. Troon fought back in the latter stages of the set, but Jets held their cool to tie the match at one set all, with a 25-19 scoreline.

Troon came out in the third set on fire, and raced away with the set, triumphing 25-10. Just when it looked as though Jets had been overcome again, they found another gear. Outside spikers Kasprczk and Schaffner were scoring at will, while Troon were encountering difficulties dealing with Jets service game. Once again, the team chasing the game had a late rally of form, but Jets were strong enough to tie the match with a 25-20 win.

And so to the deciding set. Jets maintained their offensive dominance, leading 8-4 at the changeover, and finally crushed the Troon challenge, scoring six unanswered points with their strongest front row, to take the set 15-6 and the match 3-2.

The story of the mens final was all about middle blockers, both present and missing. City of Edinburgh were able to welcome back Ben Hunter from a knee injury, and he took his place on the bench. Kilmarnock Blaze meanwhile were deprived of the services of both starting middle blockers, Stewart Caldwell and Mark Lawson both failing to recover from ankle problems. This forced Killie player-coach Stuart Edgar to name himself in the centre net role. But you’ve never seen a middle blocker play like this. The middle blocker isn’t meant to pass service or defend the floor, they’re meant to block along the net and hit the occasional winner in the centre.

Tell that to Edgar!

He was everywhere at once. Left side, right side, in the middle, pipe and flare – the Killie offensive strategy was to get the ball to Edgar wherever he was, and let him take on the Edinburgh defence. Killie kept the game tight for the opening exchanges, but Edinburgh’s greater range of offensive outlets was the determining factor in their securing the first set 25-21.

The second set was an outstanding display of side-out volleyball, as the two teams went at each other without mercy, to 19-19. Then a sequence of howitzer serves from Jamie McHardy broke the deadlock for Edinburgh, and they claimed the second set 25-23.

Likewise, the third set was a continuation of the second, as the teams continued to show a fine array of attacking shots. Having hit all along the net, Edgar took the ball to the service line with the game tied at 22-22, and Kilmarnock looking down the barrel of a 0-3 reversal. Two jump serve aces and a kill from zone one, and Killie had the third set, 25-22.

By now, it was clear that Edgar and Killie had established their offensive pattern. While Edinburgh showed strong all along the net, Killie had Edgar. Emerging from the technical timeout 13-16 down, Kilmarnock made the sideout required, and then with Edgar at the service line once again, opened up an outstanding seven point gap. Edinburgh looked stunned, and Kilmarnock took the fourth set 25-19.

Edinburgh had their unbeaten ten game stretch at stake now, and dug in for all they were worth. Szlendek’s floating service, coupled with some aggressive blocking from McHardy and Hunter, finally exposed frailties in the Kilmarnock unit, and City of Edinburgh were able to regain their top form at just the right time for a decisive 15-6 win.

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Top Teams Cup Finals 2011

The Top Teams Finals 2011 takes place this Sunday 11th December at Wishaw Sports Centre.

Match times are as follows:

11.00am FBS Women – Troon Prestwick & Ayr v Edinburgh Jets

1.00pm FBS Men – City of Edinburgh vs Kilmarnock Blaze

Where will you be on Sunday?

Scottish Volleyball congratulates all the finalist clubs and wishes you the best of luck!

For more info and the full article please click here

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For the men the following players that have been selected are:

Setters
Fraser Brown – Leeds Carnegie
Gavin Watt – AS Cannes
Opposites
Niall Collin – City of Edinburgh
Callum Green – Leeds Carnegie
Middle Blockers
Stewart Caldwell – Kilmarnock Blaze
Ruari Isted – London Malory Eagles
Mark Lawson – Kilmarnock Blaze
Passer Hitters
Seain Cook – Leeds Carnegie
Ryan MacLeod – Glasgow Mets
Jamie McHardy – City of Edinburgh
Robin Miedzybrodski – Leeds Carnegie
Libero
Mike Penny – City of Edinburgh

Scotland face off against the hosts Luxembourg, England and Denmark, in the tournament, which runs from 6th to 8th January.

For the Women’s the following players are:

Setters
Elaine Krawczyk (Troon, Prestwick and Ayr)
Emma Clarkson (Su Ragazzi)
Off-Setters
Linsey Bunten (Troon, Prestwick and Ayr) [Captain]
Alex Dickenson (Su Ragazzi)
Caroline Clayton (Troon, Prestwick and Ayr)
Power/Swing Hitters
Hazel Gow (Troon, Prestwick and Ayr)
Kirsty McLean (Su Ragazzi)
Caitlin McEwan (North Lanarkshire)
Middle Hitters
Kay Wheatley (Troon, Prestwick and Ayr)
Cathy Smy (Aberdonia)
Carly McKinlay (Su Ragazzi)
Libero
Laura McReady (Su Ragazzi)

It will be the work of everybody in the Camp, those who have been selected and equally those who have not, that will help to ready them for the challenge that lies ahead in Luxembourg.

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BVF say goodbye to Neil

British Volleyball Federation says goodbye to Neil White, their ‘irreplaceable and experienced’ World Class Programme Administrator.

The search is now on for someone who could be capable to take over this position and continue to move the GB Programme forward towards the 2012 Games and beyond.

Click here for the full article and details of the position.

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Regional Leagues will operate in three areas, the North East (from Dundee to Aberdeen, already up and jumping), the East (from Perth, through Fife to Edinburgh and the Borders) and the West (from Stirling across to Glasgow and down as far as Ayrshire).  Matches will be played at the home venue of each entrant, and there will be fixtures every month through to April, with an end-of-season tournament bringing together participants from all three regions, in the calendar for May 2012.

Although the competition is designed for players below the level of the National League, each team can have up to two NL-registered players on court at any one time, but players registered in the First Division are not eligible.  As well as established District League teams, the Regional Leagues may also be of interest to teams in the University League and Junior National League, as well as groups which are playing recreationally outwith the current organised competition structure.

Entry to the Regional League has been priced at £35, which includes affiliation to the SVA, £15 if already affiliated, and participation in the end-of-season tournament.

Other benefits to teams entering before the dead line date of 25th November include;

• One free Mikasa MVP match volleyball to each team entering.
• Free entry to the Scottish Plate competition, with opportunities to play against National League teams
• Entry into a December 2011 draw to win ex National Team kit and practice volleyballs.

For further information, or to book a place in the 2012 Regional League, contact the SVA on 0131 556 4633 or e-mail info@scottishvolleyball.org

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This is a great way to play in some competition without committing to playing every week.

Entry to the Regional League has been priced at £35, which includes affiliation to the SVA, £15 if already affiliated, and participation in the end-of-season tournament.

Other benefits to teams entering before the dead line date of 25th November include;

• One free Mikasa MVP match volleyball to each team entering.
• Free entry to the Scottish Plate competition, with opportunities to play against National League teams
• Entry into a December 2011 draw to win ex National Team kit and practice volleyballs.

Why not catch up with all the action at the SVA’s web site, click here for quick access.

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“The decision for Goalball and Women’s Sitting Volleyball is not a no, it is a deferral at this stage. Both sports have a tougher challenge to meet credible performance standards for London as neither sport competed in Beijing or Athens. It is therefore right that they have longer to continue developing prior to any final decision having to be made.

Richard Callicott, Chair of GB Volleyball said “Whilst we are disappointed not to be given the green light by the BPA at this stage, the players know that it’s not a ‘no’ and are all determined to keep going to achieve their goal of competing at London 2012”

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