Champions Durham men start against Bristol as National Cup and Shield draws made live

It follows a first-ever live draw on Volleyball England’s YouTube Channel for the new-look competitions. 

South West side Bristol lost only one game in winning Division 2 South last season and will have the chance to test themselves against the very best when they journey up to the North East. 

Their 2023-24 promotion rivals, Exeter Storm, have also secured an attractive fixture as they welcome Super League side the University of Nottingham to Devon. 

Five other ties open up the competition, but only one of them does not feature a Super League side – Tamworth Spartans hosting London Bears. 

Nine other sides – there are 23 in total – have been given a bye to the round of 16. 

In the Women’s National Cup, featuring 18 teams, there are just two round of 32 ties, with the other 14 teams going straight through to the round of 16 via byes. 

Last season’s finalists, the Durham Palatinates, will welcome Super League newcomers Wessex. 

The other tie sees Super League Darkstar Derbyshire entertain Division 1 Everton Belugas. 

In the National Shield, both the round of 64 and round of 32 draws were made at the same time. 

The draws were split into North, Central, South East and South West zones for both the men’s and women’s competitions. 

In the men’s last 64 draw, York Vikings face nearby University of Leeds, Birmingham City host Wombourne 2 and Portsmouth United take on Plymouth UTV Dragons. 

For the women, Doncaster Miners, unbeaten in winning promotion from Division 3 North to Division 2, are at home to Manchester Moss Side, Northampton welcome NVL newcomers Worthing and Tamworth Spartans take on Ashfield Vipers. 

For full details of the draw, click here. 

To watch the live draw back, click here.