Club case study: Panthers secure funding to make leap forward

Seeking to expand 

In 2022, post-COVID, Preston Panthers experienced an exponential rate in junior club membership and, to deal with that, the club quickly realised it needed some help. 

Secretary Bryan Youlden suggested that the club should apply for specific funding from a local non-governmental orgaisation (NGO) with the aim of launching the club's first ever junior section. 

 If successful the money would be spent on venues, coaches, training and volleyball gear. 

The application process 

The process for applying for funding was very specific and the club had to make sure it complied with every single requirement set by the funding provider. 

After the initial process, it was required to sign Service Level Agreement, which outlined responsibilities and services that would be provided using the granted money. 

Leaving the application in the hands of Bryan, the club was confident that they would stand out amongst other applicants as this wasn't the first time they had successfully applied for funding with his help. 

Strategic Planning  

To deal with the demand, the club had to expand its venue availability and went for five hours per week of extra training, which was designated purely for junior training.  

The main problem in the local area was that there were not enough venues which could accommodate volleyball sessions, so they had to grab whatever was available. 

They also identified the need to raise the number of coaching staff and so three volunteers were put through the assistant coach course. 

A sizeable impact 

Junior membership at Panthers has skyrocketed and it is on the rise week by week. 

In 2023-2024 season, the club was able to introduce, for the first time in its history, four junior teams, which have been competing in Volleyball England's Junior Grand Prix Series, with the U15 Boys winning the Silver Cup Final in Kettering. 

Coaches will continue to work hard during the summer break in the hope to be able to introduce even more teams next season. 

Having access to venues all summer means there is no break and will allow the various teams to prepare thoroughly for the new campaign. 

Challenges and lessons learned

The biggest challenge was to find a suitable venue with a free slot. Preston approached several venues in the local area and, after an extensive search, were fortunate to find somewhere suitable. 

 They also approached venue providers directly and proposed to hire long-term, if the providers would consider minor adjustments to their sport halls allowing sessions to be safe. 

The next steps 

With the club’s AGM fast approaching, the club is looking forward to sitting down and assessing where they started, what they have been through and where they can eventually end up. They describe the journey as having been “thrilling” and recognise the huge importance of “fantastic” volunteers in having made things happen. 

Want to know more?  

Clubs wanting to know more about Preston’s journey and their successful funding application can email prestonpanthersvolleyballclub@gmail.com