Sitting Grand Prix round 1 preview (4th October) - Bucks going for six in a row

This year's 2026-27 fixtures are the second set to be contested at Loughborough University, with this Sunday's opening round (4th October) followed by those in November, December, January (twice) and February before a Final 4 competition will decide which two teams contest the national final. 

"It's going to be fantastic to see so many players who have become fixtures on the Grand Prix circuit back to meet up and battle it out again on Sunday," said Volleyball England's Project Lead of Sitting Volleyball. 

"But just as exciting is that there are going to be new players coming to join in for the first time. That's the thing, even if you aren't with a team and would like to get involved, we can slot you into a team. Just email me on j.worrall@volleyballengland.org 

Don't forget if you are not there in person and want to follow the action, you can do so on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel here. 

As ever, teams who do not enter the first round of matches can enter subsequent rounds, so please contact John via the details above to enter a team. 

The 26-27 contenders - Tier 1 

Sitting Bucks 

National champions five times in a row, Bucks will once again be the team to beat as they bid to make it a Super Six. 

They became the first English team to compete in the ParaVolley Europe Men's Golden EuroLeague last season and will once again boast experience and know-how in abundance. 

GB captain at London 2012, Rob Richardson and teammate on that biggest stage, John Munro, will once again lead from the front. 

Aedrin Jayatilake is a promising prospect, earning early GB recognition having only played his first full Grand Prix season last year. 

Technically strong and with some powerful hitters, six in a row will be their aim. 

Help for Heroes A 

Beaten in the National Final by Sitting Bucks in the last two editions, Help For Heroes are again likely to be serious challengers. 

Last season they actually finished top of the regular season above the Bucks, after some excellent performances, only for their big rivals to get the better of them at Final 4 and Cup Finals. 

The feeling among the camp is that they are getting closer and closer, but now they are determined to take that next step. 

London 2012 player Charlie Walker remains a driving force as coach and player, while John Worrall also has GB experience. 

Calm and collected, Heroes are renowned for keeping the ball alive well and making their opponents play another ball. 

South Hants 

Coached by the Head Coach of the UK's Invictus team for next year, Richard Osborne, South Hants are another team who are always there or thereabouts. 

Last season they finished third in the regular season and at Final 4, but did have the solace of winning the Ken Edwards Trophy for the second year running. 

Richard's son, Ben Osbourne is a player to watch having played Super League and NVL volleyball with Essex Rebels and Southampton respectively. 

Chris Humphreys also made his GB debut in the summer having been part of the squad that travelled out to Italy. 

A very attacking side with some big hitters, they also recycle the ball well. 

Nottingham Casualties 

With Salisbury Spitfires not entering the Grand Prix for Round 1, Nottingham Casualties step up to take their place. 

The East Midlands side did not start competing until after the Covid-19 Pandemic, but the have quickly established themselves as a strong team. 

They have never quite reached Final 4, having finished fifth in the regular season last year, but are creeping ever closer... could this be their year? 

Head Coach Steph Fu will once again lead her side into the fray, with GB player Steve Allen and London 2012 Olympian Andrea Green offering valuable experience. 

Another attacking side, who leave everything out on the court. 

Tier 2 

Vagabonds are a new edition to the Sitting Grand Prix line-up this year and the team is designed to help those without a team still get competitive action. 

Whether it's players who are yet to have joined a team or those who play with a side who are not in a particular Grand Prix, they will be able to join forces. 

Panthers were winners of the Stavanger Tournament in Norway in March and were originally formed from the GB Women's team 

They have also competed in the ParaVolley Europe Women's Golden EuroLeague backin 2024. 

Help for Heroes B will also be in contention, underlining the club's overall strength in depth by being able to field two sides. 

All will be vying to finish top of their mini-league and earn promotion to Tier 1 for round 2 of the competition on Sunday 7th November.