HEVO Conference gives attendees the skills to promote volleyball to their fellow students

Now in it’s 14th year, the conference is an activation programme to encourage university students to arrange and support volleyball development at their respective universities.

The HEVO programme offers students the opportunity, no matter their level of volleyball, to coordinate and support with volleyball delivery by providing a welcoming and inclusive space for those who may be new to sport.

The HEVO programme also allows students from different regions to connect where they otherwise wouldn't be able to within their region-specific BUCS competitions, allowing networking and new friendships to be formed.

The two days were broken up into a range of tutor-led sessions, allowing students to get involved in a range of drills, and formats of play and making sessions inclusive no matter the size of the venue and number of participants.

Silke Vereeken, a senior HEVO for the 2024-25 academic year, said she hopes to ‘encourage anyone who hasn’t played volleyball to get involved in the sport and take part no matter their skill level.'

As a HEVO for the previous two years, Silke said she hopes that in her new role she can ‘help the growth of the sport even after graduating university'.

On the conference's second day, the HEVO programme has offered opportunities for beach volleyball sessions, as well as sitting volleyball sessions.

These have demonstrated how HEVOs to cater for students of all abilities, and given them knowledge of how to overcome challenges which can be faced when designing and organising events.

Hema Choudary, Volleyball England’s Strategic Manager for Get, Keep, Grow said: “The HEVO Conference has been a great success with a large number of students from different universities taking part in two days of development programmes.”

“We hope the HEVOs in attendance have learnt new skills which will support them in the running and development of their recreational sessions.”

The HEVO programme has grown every year, with an increase in attendees and the number of universities represented providing an approachable way to get involved in volleyball.

Keep up to date with Volleyball England and when applications for HEVO 2025 via social media channels Instagram, Facebook and X.

View the full selection of images from the event, captured by Jon Cornish, on the Volleyball England Flickr page.