NVL newcomers part 11 – Cambridge Rhinos 

Year formed: 1994. 

NVL Coach: Mark Dalit. 

Social media handles: @rhinos_volleyball (Instagram), @cambridgerhinos (Facebook)

Website: Click here. 

It’s been a great couple of years for Cambridge Rhinos men’s first team, with successive promotions. With it, has come a collective club desire to raise levels beneath that. 

The soon-to-be NVL second team enjoyed a successful season in 2024-25, finishing third in the Upper Division of the Cambridge Volleyball Association County League, behind only Newmarket and Bury Bobcats.  

One point short of clinching second, they remained unbeaten against Bury, and also reached the semi-finals of the County Cup tournament as the team’s bond strengthened throughout the season, with results and performances gradually improving as a result. 

 Now, as an addition to the initially selected 15 teams, following the withdrawal of Boston-based Kings of Court, they go into the new season with the aim of pushing on again in the fresh environment of national competition.

“Our initial aspirations are to forming a stable foundation with the new team, grow aspirations to aim high in the competition and enjoy volleyball at a higher level,” said Team Secretary Hanting Qin. 

“The team has reached higher levels than previous years in the county, and there is a desire of team members to play more frequently and against tougher opponents in NVL Division 3. 

“We want to bring up the level of the club as a whole with it's current members as well as attracting new talents, growing the volleyball scene as a whole in the region. 

“I think we can be confident in aiming high, but the focus this year is to build on the connections of the team and getting used to the higher level of competition.” 

Founded in 1994, Rhinos Volleyball Club is a non-profit sports club dedicated to promoting and developing volleyball in Cambridge for adults of all skill levels. 

What began as a small group of friends has grown into one of the largest and most competitive volleyball communities in the region, with teams competing at national and regional levels. 

The club often plans outdoor tournaments, beach trips, festival social tournaments in addition to playing in indoor competitions during the winter. 

In Division 3 South east of the NVL, they can look forward to fixtures against London Lionhearts Leo, Essex Estonians, Onyx London, GNG Bedford, Tendring, Worthing, Newmarket 2 and London Wildcats. 

Hanting says the performances of two key players will impact their chances of success and added: “Peter Gorman is our go-to hitter in the opposite position. 

“He started volleyball only three years ago, but has grown to be reliable and smart, with killer point finishes.  

“Nico Morea has filled a previous big weakness of the team in previous seasons by filling the role of a dedicated libero. 

“This season, coming into NVL Division 3, we have managed to attract a strong defensive player in Nico. 

“It will be much more comforting for the team to know he will always be in the right places at the right time.”