Coach Ian Legrand inducted into the Volleyball England Hall of Fame

A former Great Britain sitting volleyball team and current Assistant Coach for Malory Eagles (helping the team to a bronze medal at Final 4 earlier this month, pictured above), he has devoted a big chunk of his life to developing players in both the sitting and indoor disciplines. 

By becoming a member of the Dr Don Anthony MBE Hall of Fame, Ian joins a list of the most influential people in the history of the sport in England, which is detailed on the Volleyball England website and at the National Volleyball Centre in Kettering.

The select list – first drawn up in 2010 with 48 inaugural members, includes male and female players and referees, as well as coaches.

To be considered for the Hall of Fame as a coach, the person in question must have coaches a minimum of 100 games at international level and / or made a significant contribution to the development of national teams. 

Fellow Hall of Fame inductee Carol Gordon, who has worked closely with Ian over a number of years, is delighted to be welcoming her friend and colleague to the select group. 

“I feel he has met and exceeded all the criteria, and his contribution as a National Team Coach at Junior, Senior and Sitting has been invaluable,” she said. 

“I owe a lot to Ian.... I was honoured to be his assistant coach with England’s Junior Men and also at the Docklands club. 

“He was also instrumental in kick-starting a National Cadet Group and supported my application to be Coach. He thought that with a younger age group starting their performance experience earlier, especially through competition, it would help progression into Junior and Senior squads and not be such a shock to the system. 

“His induction is truly well deserved.” 

Volleyball England Board Director, Richard Harrison, added: “I’m in full support of Ian's induction into the Hall of Fame.

“Ian is a truly exceptional coach who has been at the heart of coaching national team players for over thirty years.”