New Futures Talent Zones aims for earlier talent access, better support and clearer pathways 

The regionalised hubs will give promising junior athletes earlier access to national-level training and development with fewer geographic and financial barriers. 

Sitting just beneath the U18 national team, the zones are designed as entry points into the England Talent Pathway and as bridges from clubs, schools, and regional development programmes, as per the diagram below. 

 

Building on Futures 

For several years, Volleyball England has run centralised Futures camps for those in the 12 to 15 year-old age groups. 

They have provided hundreds of young players with the opportunity to experience what a camp day is like for England national team athletes - and identified a number of current and former England Pathway athletes. 

The new zones extend and expand on the Futures concept by taking it out across the country to provide easier access for more families. 

At the same time, they will now be integrated with the Pathway in ways they weren’t before. 

 

Why Talent Zones? 

• Earlier identification and development (two birth years younger than the U18 cohort) and more touchpoints for emerging talent. 

• Improved accessibility through shorter travel times and reduced costs, so opportunities reflect the breadth of talent across England. 

• Developmental focus featuring training environments free from rankings or selection pressures (athletes focus on learning, not outcomes). 

• Upskilling the ecosystem through observation and interaction, with opportunities for area juniors coaches to connect with national methods. 

 

The Four Zones 

Based on junior participation patterns and logistics, four Zones will operate under Volleyball England oversight: 

• North (Lancashire, Yorkshire and North) 

• Central (Midlands) 

• London & East (London, Essex, Kent) 

• South & West (Sussex, Surrey and West) 

These outlines are guides rather than fixed borders. Athletes will join the zone that makes the most sense for travel, with no “zone hopping.” All zones will receive equivalent support and run to the same standards. 

 

What happens in a Talent Zone? 

• Camps will be run every four to six weeks: mostly one-day sessions, with longer options in school holidays. 

• On-court and off-court development: performance behaviours, nutrition, sports psychology, S&C. 

• Competition as a tool, not the goal: structured match play to apply learning - no zone championship. 

 

Who’s involved? 

The target for the zones is to include approximately 10 boys and 10 girls per birth year group. 

Staffing will include a zone coordinator for operations and welfare, lead coaches for boys and girls and support coaches. All will be considered part of the Talent Pathway staff structure. 

 

Eligibility (in brief) 

Eligibility mirrors national-team rules: UK citizenship and England as Federation of Origin (once old enough for that to apply). 

Athletes missing one element may be considered if they are actively and credibly securing the missing piece. 

 

Progression from a Talent Zone 

The primary expected pathway is into England age-group national squads. 

Alongside this, athletes may also progress into the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) in Years 12 to 13 (64 UCAS points), if eligible 

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Cost and support 

Volleyball England will support the Zones with equipment (e.g., balls) and a budget to cover operational expenses (hall hire, travel expenses, etc.). The aim is to minimize participant fees. 

 

Hosting approach 

Facilities and availability differ around the country. Zones may operate from one primary site or multiple rotating sites to improve access and manage numbers. 

Core hosting needs include: a regulation court (preferably more than one), good transport links, meeting spaces for learning/recovery and nearby accommodation for multi-day camps. 

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Quick FAQ 

• Is this a trial or a long-term part of the Pathway?

Talent Zones are intended to be a core, long-term feeder layer beneath age-group national teams. 

• How do athletes get selected?

Selection will align with Talent Pathway principles and Zone capacity. The emphasis is on potential and developmental fit. More specific information on this will be provided in the future. 

• Are Zones the only way to get on the Pathway?

While we expect most Pathway athletes to come through the zones, there will always be exceptions for a variety of reasons. Volleyball England will continue to accept referrals from coaches of players they perceive to have national team potential. 

• Will there be zonal competitions?

Nothing formal (i.e. no Zone Championships). While there may be inter-zone play, it will be intentionally designed to focus on player development. 

• Where will the sessions be?

Within each zone’s geography at sites that meet hosting standards. Site rotation is likely to improve access. 

• What about costs?

The goal is to remove or minimise athlete fees, supported by a Volleyball England budget and equipment provision. 

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Call for coaches and hosts 

Volleyball England will shortly publish the Zone Lead Coach roles (with Coordinator and Support Coach opportunities to follow). 

If you’re a coach passionate about athlete development, hold at least a Volleyball England Level 2 (Coach) Award or equivalent and you want to help more juniors access national-standard training closer to home, please watch out for the advert and apply.  

Venue operators and clubs who can meet hosting standards are also encouraged to express interest so we can widen access within each zone. Click here to do so. 

 

How you can help now 

• Clubs/schools/regions: Share this update with your juniors, parents and coaching teams. 

• Coaches: Consider applying for Zone roles and encourage talented athletes to engage when invitations open. 

• Facilities/hosts: Get in touch if your site meets the hosting criteria outlined above.