11 hrs
Annual Awards 2026 Judges
Nominations for the Volleyball England Annual Awards 2026 will remain open until Sunday 8th March 2026.
Following the close of nominations, the judging panel will review all submissions between 11th and 22nd MArch 2026 to create a three-person shortlist for each award category.
Finalists will be confirmed and announced on Monday 30th 2026, ahead of the Awards Ceremony, which will take place on Saturday 25th April 2026 at Loughborough University.
All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the ceremony, where the winners across each category will be revealed and celebrated.
Klaudia French
Klaudia has previously served as Club Chair for three years and has been involved in volleyball for many years as a player, qualified coach, and referee.
"My passion for the sport goes far beyond playing. I love seeing people develop, connect, and find joy through volleyball at every level."
“Being selected as a judge for the Volleyball England Annual Awards is a real honour. Volleyball has a strong community at its core, and I’m proud to help recognise the people whose dedication, leadership, and passion often sit behind the scenes. It’s important that we celebrate not just performance, but the positive impact individuals have across clubs, pathways, and participation at every level of the sport.”
“I would encourage everyone in the volleyball community to nominate those who make a difference, regardless of whether they ultimately win an award. Being nominated in itself is a powerful thank you - it lets people know their commitment, time, and impact have been noticed and genuinely appreciated.”
Grant Eager
Grant has been involved in volleyball for over 40 years as a player and more than 30 years as a coach, working from beginner and junior levels through to NVL standard.
He is Chairman and Head Coach of Eastbourne VC and is actively involved in developing volleyball across Sussex, including junior, beginner, outdoor, and beach pathways.
“I’m passionate about helping people discover volleyball and supporting them as they develop and enjoy the sport at every level.”
"I am excited to help recognise excellence in VE and contribute my experience to celebrating those who inspire the game. Judging the awards allows me to celebrate the people within our sport and support the continued growth of our community"
“Please take 5 minutes to recognise the people who pushed you, supported you and made your season unforgettable/better. Those who had your back, lifted the energy or quietly put in the work all season. Your nominations should recognise the effort, leadership, improvement and sportsmanship not just the star players. Who has made your and others season better? Often, being nominated by team-mates means more than winning.”
Roberto Rigante
Roberto has been a long-standing part of England’s volleyball community, with extensive experience as both a player and a Volleyball and Beach Volleyball referee. He has officiated and supported the sport across major events including the Commonwealth Games, Cup Finals, the UK Beach Tour, and local competitions, bringing consistency, fairness, and passion to every role.
“Volleyball is more than a sport to me, it’s my community. I’m excited to bring a player’s empathy and a referee’s consistency to the judging panel.”
“Being part of the judging panel for the Volleyball England Annual Awards 2026 is genuinely exciting. Reviewing nominations is a privilege and a reminder of how important it is to recognise the people who have truly distinguished themselves through their dedication, passion, and contribution to our volleyball community."
"Sharing nominations is caring. Take a moment to nominate those who inspire, support, and elevate our sport because recognising each other's impact helps our whole volleyball community grow."
Still time to nominate...
Before nominating someone, you are advised to consult the criteria, which can be found here. You can nominate here.
A list of previous winners, and interviews with the 2025 winners can be found on the Annual Awards webpage.
