Super League Opening Weekend: Pallamin relishing opportunity to showcase skills

The 34-year-old helped the Eastern Volleyball Federation club finish in fifth place in the Women’s Super League table last season. 

Now she is looking forward to the new 2023-24 season beginning with the bang of all 20 teams (10 women’s, 10 men’s) competing under one roof at Kettering’s National Volleyball Centre on 14th and 15th October. 

She believes it is a prime opportunity to celebrate the merits of volleyball, as a sport particularly at a point when the interest in volleyball from junior players across the country, in part inspired by Japanese Managa series Haikyu, has rarely been higher. 

“I think it is great way to promote volleyball in England,” said Pallamin. “It’s not one of the most popular sports in this country, but this a a great way to celebrate the competition we have and how things are improving here in the UK. 

“It will be a really big occasion for Volleyball, helping improve awareness, and it also gives all the players and teams a chance to meet and mix with each other. 

“Volleyball is definitely growing here, and this is a chance to build on that some more. 

“I have come over from Brazil on a scholarship opportunity and there are other players who have come from abroad that have helped improve the level. 

“But we also have development teams at ARU and we are trying to get them excited about coming along to Super League and NVL games to see what it is all about. 

“We want to show our players that being part of the team is much more about playing sport. It’s taught me discipline and taking responsibility – and that’s what we are trying to bring to the development teams. 

“What we are building in the Super League team, we want to cascade down to all the teams. 

“It will be really interesting to see if we can reach out to people outside the sport, who have never watched or played before.” 

Born in Sao Paolo, but growing up in Loughborough from the age of seven to 12, Pallamin was drawn to volleyball through her parents, who both played locally. 

Her mum turned out alongside Maria Bertelli, who played for GB in the London 2012 Olympics and is now Head Coach of the England Women’s Senior Team.   

As Pallamin progressed her won skills, she was on the squad of the University of South Alabama in South Carolina while she studied for her degree and also had a stint in Evreux, France, but has now settled in Cambridge. 

The versatile player is hoping that the ARU team can continue to progress under coach Jean-Nicolas Jacquet and challenge at the top end of the table.  

Pallamin said: “We’re very excited for the new season and had some team meetings already. 

“They are a great group of girls and we also have some newcomers to the squad, so we’re really excited to see how we progress. 

“It’s been a process of development for us... How can we improve? How can we make the most of our strengths? How can we look at the way the other teams play and stop what they are doing well? 

“We need to adapt to what the other teams are offering. We had some great matches against some big teams and we definitely can make progress this coming season.” 

Having kept their eye in over the summer break, Pallamin is hoping the ARU team can hit the ground running as they face last season's champions the Durham Palatinates. 

What position she plays in that curtain-raiser is still open to conjecture, but she has always been content to take to the court wherever she is required. 

“As volleyball players we haven’t been straying too far away from the court over the summer. Here in Cambridge we have other leagues going on during the off-season to get in some playing time. 

“It’s exciting to start against Durham and see if we can perform well when we go up against the best. 

“This is my second full season, having played half a season when I joined and then one full season and we have definitely got used to playing with each other a bit more. 

“I can play in a number of positions, normally opposite and outside, but even libero. I would say my favourite position is setter, but I’ve not had the chance to play that yet... hopefully the coach will be reading this!” 

Buy your Opening Weekend tickets 

Tickets are now available to buy for Opening Weekend, in either tiered or floor seating.  

Tiered seating prices are £15 for an adult day ticket (aged 15 to 64), £45 for a family day ticket (two adults, two children), £7.50 for a concession day ticket (U15 or 65 and over), £25 for a general weekend ticket and £12.50 for a weekend concession ticket.  

Floored seating prices are £12 for a general day ticket (aged 15 to 64), £36 for a family day ticket (two adults, two children), £6 for a concession day ticket (U15 or 65 and over), £18 for a general weekend ticket and £9 for a weekend concession ticket.  

Tickets entitle the bearer to watch all five matches for the day purchased.  

To purchase tickets for Saturday’s matches, click here. To purchase tickets for Sunday’s matches, click here.