New faces, fresh perspectives and shaping the future of volleyball

Discussions focused on the future of the sport, important governance matters and the development of the organisation’s next strategy.

The weekend marked an important milestone Katarina Cepinova, Julie Kouamo and Sophie Szyszko were welcomed to their first Board meeting since being elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting in June.

Bringing a wealth of experience, different perspectives and lived experiences, the three newest Directors joined their fellow Board members for two days of constructive discussion, healthy challenge and collective thinking about the opportunities and challenges facing volleyball.

Speaking about attending her first meeting, Katarina Cepinova, said: “Joining the Board at such a pivotal moment is incredibly exciting.

“What stood out to me from our first Board weekend was the ambition to think differently about the future of our sport, build on the strong foundations already in place and explore how we can make meaningful, lasting progress.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to turn that shared ambition into action - from improving access to facilities and building stronger partnerships to creating better opportunities for players, coaches, officials and volunteers.

“By bringing people, ideas and opportunities together, we can support our clubs, grow participation and make volleyball more visible and accessible to more people across the country.”

Julie Kouamo added: "I felt welcomed from the first conversation. What stood out was the passion, expertise and respect in the room.

“What excites me most is helping volleyball move from being seen as a small sport to the big sport it is, while making sure we hear the voices we do not often hear."

Sophie Szyszko said: “We had a very productive weekend reflecting on the progress Volleyball England has made in the last few years, addressing challenges the volleyball community is facing and looking ahead at the next step in the journey. 

Shaping Volleyball England’s future together

A significant focus of the weekend was the ongoing development of Volleyball England's next strategy, which is scheduled to be unveiled in its first full draft position at the 2027 AGM.

Building on the membership consultation undertaken over recent months, Board members and senior staff explored the views expressed volleyball’s communities and, importantly, what those insights might mean for the future of our sport.

Four broad themes have emerged from the consultation:

• Belonging and inclusion: Creating positive experiences and ensuring volleyball is a sport where everyone feels welcome.

• People and pathways: Supporting the development and progression of players, coaches, officials and volunteers.

• Creating the right conditions: Understanding the facilities, resources and support needed for volleyball to thrive.

• Growth and ambition: Raising the visibility of volleyball and exploring how its potential can be unlocked.

Through a series of interactive discussions and activities, Board members were encouraged to think beyond today's challenges and imagine what a thriving volleyball community could look like in 2035.

The conversations were ambitious, constructive and, at times, deliberately challenging. They explored not only what Volleyball England can do differently, but also how clubs, volunteers, partners and the wider sporting system can collectively contribute to the future success of our sport.

Importantly, the weekend reinforced Volleyball England’s commitment to developing a strategy informed by its members, is ambitious for the sport and grounded in the realities and opportunities facing volleyball’s communities.

Facilities Working Group approved

Alongside the strategy discussions, the Board approved the establishment of a new Facilities Working Group, including its Terms of Reference.

The group will help strengthen volleyball's voice in facility planning, development and investment, recognising that access to appropriate, affordable and high-quality facilities remains one of the most significant challenges facing our sport.

Its initial priorities will include updating Volleyball England's facilities guidance, developing a volleyball-friendly sports hall specification, improving understanding of facility opportunities nationally and establishing a network of regional Facilities Champions.

Volleyball England will shortly be inviting applications from members interested in contributing their knowledge, experience and expertise to the group.

Further information on the recruitment process will follow, and the relevant updates to Volleyball England's Framework Document will be considered by the Board at its December meeting.

Other Board business

The Board also considered a range of important operational and governance matters, including updates from its delegated authority groups, the Player Community and the Executive Team.

A dedicated safeguarding session provided an opportunity to review progress against the organisation’s safeguarding development plan, reflect on learning from case management and consider how safeguarding, welfare and positive experiences should continue to influence future strategic direction.

These discussions form an important part of the Board's ongoing responsibility to ensure Volleyball England remains a well-governed, transparent and member-focused organisation.

Looking ahead

The weekend was another important step in shaping the future of volleyball in England.

While there is still considerable work ahead, the combination of member insight, diverse perspectives and a shared ambition for our sport provides a strong foundation for the next stage of our strategy development process.

Updates as that work progresses will continue to be shared, including further opportunities for volleyball’s communities to contribute.

The ambition is not simply to build a stronger Volleyball England, but to help create the conditions for volleyball to thrive across the country, for everyone involved in our sport.

Want to have your say on the future of volleyball?

Click here to complete the new strategy consultation.