Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund a ‘lifeline’ in helping teenager Brook fulfil her dreams 

The 14-year-old took up volleyball a year-and-a-half ago after her football practice was cancelled and the opportunity to join a session at Ashfield School arose. 

Since then, she has become a regular in Ashfield Vipers’ junior teams, as well as the club’s NVL Division 3 Central side, and was also invited to the England U18 training camp at Loughborough University before Christmas. 

But the cost – particularly as Isla is also on the England Handball Talent Pathway and Basketball England’s Aspire programme – has always been problematic. 

This award from the Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund, however, has solved some of those costs issues and ensured that she is able get the coaching access she needs to help fulfil her potential. 

“Because of back and neurological problems I am in receipt of disability benefits only, so there is obviously a big financial strain in terms of trying to fund Isla’s volleyball and other sports,” said mum Lee. 

“Volleyball is not a well-funded sport in the same way that some of the other big sports are, so it can be difficult to find the funds, and it’s an added pressure for people. 

“It’s been an ongoing worry, so when I got the letter to say Isla was going to receive Ann Jarvis support it was a relief and meant so much. It might not seem a lot, but it makes such a difference. 

“The costs of paying to attend camps was particularly difficult, so to have this lifeline allows her to continue – and it’s important to her that she plays. There’s also the accommodation and even food to make sure that her nutrition is right. 

“It definitely helps her be the best version of herself that she can be when all these things that could be issues are removed. 

“Isla has said to me that sport is her happy place – and that’s what you want to have for your child. 

“Volleyball is a very inclusive sport and you don’t seem to get the same togetherness where everyone looks after each other in other sports as you do with volleyball.” 

Already, Isla is determined to forge a career as an elite athlete and is keen to either attend Loughborough College to help pursue her sport-related goals, or even secure a scholarship in America if she can continue to improve. 

The latter is a path that has been trodden by a number of English athletes, with Alice Jagielska (Pepperdine) and Anja Ermimio (Arcadia) two of the most recent examples. 

Lee added: “She wants to go as far as she can and it’s great that she’s already looking ahead and thinking long-term. 

“I have seen her grow up since she has taken up sport. She has been put in different places with different people in different situations and it has helped her mature as a person.” 

Help the next generation of volleyball players 

The Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund was set up by Volleyball England in partnership with the Volleyball England Foundation to support athletes and their families who face financial hardship as a direct result of participating in talent programmes.

It is named after England’s record caps holder – she played 176 times between 1973 and 1987 – who is keen to add her support to a venture where the aim is to ensure no athlete is excluded from the pathway due to financial constraints. 

If you are a business, organisation or individual who is inspired by Tali’s story, donations to the Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund are most welcome.

You can donate via the fund’s Just Giving page set up by the Volleyball England Foundation, which can be found here. 

Apply for athlete support in the next Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund window  

The next window will open in April/May for talented beach athletes, following the first window, which was for indoor athletes, in December. Young talented athletes working towards the GB sitting volleyball programme can also apply. 

For full details on the application process, please click here to view the guidance document.   

Volleyball England will publicise exactly when the next window will open closer to the time, both on its website and through social media channels.  

 
Further information for clubs  

New guidance on how clubs can create their own hardship funds is now available on the Volleyball England Club Hub under the funding guidance section.