Urmston's Tait Millward shooting for the stars with Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund support

But playing at an international level comes at a significant cost that can be difficult to meet, as mum Louise Millward can testify. 

She knew just how much playing in the Winter Cup in Italy would mean to her son, but was concerned she might not be able to afford the price of the trip. 

That worry was alleviated once she successfully applied for a grant from the Ann Jarvis Hardship Fund, which was set up in a bid to help ensure that talented young players do not miss out.

“It’s very expensive to pay for the England trips,” said Louise. “Even though you can pay in installments, the cost is still there to be met. 

“In some other sports, money is available to enable athletes to travel, but in volleyball that is not the case and you have to find the money. 

“Obviously, you try your best, but it is a bit of a worry and you don’t want it to come to the point where he might not be able to go when you know he enjoys it so much. 

“Kairon lives and breathes volleyball, starting in Year 8 at Urmston and last year playing for the U15, U16, U18 and North West teams. 

“That’s why to be able to put a grant towards meeting three quarters of the cost of the trip to Italy was so great. It enables him to continue to pursue his dreams.” 

Kairon was named MVP last month as Urmston Grammar boysretained their crown as under U16 national champions with a straight sets win over Leeds Gorse. 

The Outside harbours ambitions to carry on his volleyball education around studying at university.

He said: “I started playing in PE and the coaches said I would be really good if I took it up. Since then, I have carried on training with Howard (Ainsowrth) and Ian (Hines). 

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot winning at national level with Urmston and it’s been a good experience to play for England – and one that I have not taken for granted. 

“At international level, teams are much faster and stronger and overall you have to be a lot smarter because they will punish your mistakes. 

“It definitely makes me motivated to get better because you  you can see how good people of your own age are – and I have a lot of catching up to do. 

“I want to go as far in the game as I possibly can and continue playing at the highest level. 

“Going to a good volleyball university is an immediate aim but I also want to keep on playing for England through to the seniors and I would love to play in Super league one day.”  

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 soon 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.