31 Aug 2024
NVL Newcomers part seven – Weymouth (women)
Year club was formed: 2019.
Chair: Ali Mitchell.
Coaches: Matt Board and Ali Mitchell.
Social media handles: @weymouthvolleyballclub (Instagram), Weymouth Volleyball Club (Facebook).
As a hotbed of beach volleyball – hosting a successful Grand Slam event for more than 40 years – it was perhaps no surprise when Weymouth also established themselves indoor as a respected NVL and regional club.
After starting out five years ago with a men’s regional team joining the South West League, the South Coast team has gradually evolved.
In 2020, the club introduced a women’s team into the South West League and the following summer (2021), a very first junior session was run – and swiftly grew.
The 2023-24 season saw a second men’s team begin life in NVL Division 3 South West, while the club took the Weymouth Division 1 team onboard which was, unfortunately, not sustained.
However, the Junior Grand Prix Series was entered for the first time – with the U18 girls making it to the semi-final of the Tier 1 Last 8s and the boys competing in Tier 2.
With the general upward progression of the club, the next logical step was for the women’s team to venture into the NVL. Alongside this, to aid the pathway to the team, two new Junior Grand Prix teams are coming into effect – U16 girls and U15 girls, both in Tier 1.
“We played in the South West League and finished second, while the U18 Girls did well in Tier 1 of the Junior Grand Prix Series, so we come into this season with some good momentum,” said chair Ali Mitchell.
“Hopefully we can keep that going and we’re looking forward to the challenge. It also gives young people in our club something to aspire to.
“Our women’s team continues to go from strength to strength, with a strong junior programme and out motivation for entering the NVL is to seek a further challenge with the excitement of playing different teams.”
Weymouth will come up against the likes of City of Bristol, Southampton 2, Bedminster 2, Plymouth UTV, Reading Aces, Portsmouth and Plymouth when their new season gets underway.
They are ambitious to start well, even if the level of their opposition will, in some cases, be an unknown quantity.
Ali added: “We are looking to be competitive in the league, picking up some wins and surprising other teams.”
While the team will have a certain reliance on youth, it can also call on some experienced heads to help guide them through.
“Carla Palmer is ex NVL player and the backbone of the team as our libero,” said Ali. “Erin Whitting, our outside hitter by trade by is taking on a setting role as we have lost one of our setters to university.
“It’ll be exciting for her to explore a new role guided by the club’s lead setter, Abbie Flower.”
While the club continues to develop its own players, they are also keen to hear from anyone already playing who may wish to join.
Ali said: “We always welcome new players of any experience: we have sessions appropriate for everyone.
“This season, we’re particularly interested in hearing from experienced ladies or U18 girls for our NVL3 team and GP girls’ team.”
If you are interested, contact the club via its social media accounts detailed above.
All pics by Liam Jefferies (@lj5.photography on Instagram).
