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In this special edition of That Volleyball Guy, I’m joining in with UK Coaching Week to reflect on the Pass It On theme and what better time to do that than after being named Volleyball England’s Coach of the Year.

In this episode, I open up about my journey as a coach: how my mindset and approach have evolved over the years, the power of building connection with players, and the importance of staying grounded in purpose, not just performance. I share the key lessons I’ve learned through experience, mistakes, and growth and why I believe in always passing those lessons on.

I also talk about our team’s incredible journey celebrating our second successive promotion, rising from Division 2 to Division 1, and what it took behind the scenes to make that happen. From building belief to fostering resilience and consistency, I reflect on how our collective mindset helped us take that next step.

Whether you’re just starting your coaching journey or you’ve been at it for years, this episode is about sharing knowledge, celebrating progress, and paying it forward. Coaching is about more than just the game — it’s about people, growth, and leaving something behind that matters.

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Hey everyone, welcome back to another special edition of That Volleyball Guy – The Heritage Show – the series where we celebrate the rich history of volleyball and shine a light on the incredible people who’ve shaped our sport. This series is proudly produced in partnership with Volleyball England.

This week is a big one – we’re marking 70 years since the very first meeting of the Amateur Volleyball Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which took place on 28th May 1955. That meeting laid the foundation for what we now know as Volleyball England, and it’s only right that we celebrate it in style.

So to help us do just that, I’m thrilled to be joined by someone who has played a major role in our sport’s history – Brian Stalker.

Brian is a former international referee, and during our chat, he shares some fascinating stories and insights from his time officiating at the highest level of the game. We talk about what it takes to be a great referee – the mindset, the qualities, and the challenges that come with the role. Brian also reflects on how the sport has evolved over the years, both on and off the court.

And if that’s not enough, he takes us behind the scenes of his involvement in the London 2012 Olympic Games, and his ongoing contributions to the sport through roles within the FIVB and beyond.

It was a genuinely insightful conversation – one that left me wishing we had even more time to dig into his experiences. If you love volleyball, if you're fascinated by the game's journey in England, or if you're just curious about what goes into refereeing at the highest level, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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In this episode of That Volleyball Guy Dig Deeper I’m joined by Chloe Allen, captain of the Malory Eagles Women’s team, who has just led her side to an unforgettable season, winning both the Super League and the National Cup. It’s been a long time since Malory were at the top, and Chloe gives us an inside look at how this team came together, grew in confidence, and found their winning edge.

Chloe takes us right back to her early volleyball roots, sharing how she first picked up the game playing in the garden with her sister, then fell in love with it properly during high school in California. She reflects on the impact her high school coach had on her game, mindset, and leadership style ,lessons that have stayed with her through every step of her journey.

She then talks us through her college years at the University of California Santa Barbara, where she spent four seasons competing at a high level, learning about herself both as an athlete and a person. After graduating, she moved across the world to London in September 2020 to pursue a master's degree at the University of East London, only to be met with lockdowns and COVID restrictions. Despite the challenges, Chloe eventually found her way into the heart of the UK volleyball scene, joining Malory Eagles and becoming a key figure in their return to greatness.

We dig into what it’s like playing in the Super League, what sets Malory apart as a club, and how coaches Jefferson Williams and Carol Gordon have built such a strong, supportive, and driven team culture. Chloe speaks openly about the journey to winning the double, the hard work behind the scenes, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

For anyone thinking about stepping into a captaincy role, Chloe also shares her top tips on leadership from building trust and unity to navigating tough moments and motivating others. Her experience and wisdom make this a brilliant listen for aspiring leaders, coaches, and teammates alike.

We round things off with Chloe’s thoughts on what’s next for her, how she sees volleyball evolving in England, and a fun final round of This or That to finish.

This is a great conversation about commitment, culture, and character — and one you won’t want to miss

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This week on That Volleyball Guy, it's a Cup Finals Weekend special.
I'm joined by my fellow Volleyball England commentators Michael Hanson-Morris and Jess Smith as we recap an epic two days of volleyball action at the National Volleyball Centre in Kettering.

Across 11 matches, 38 sets of volleyball, and one unforgettable reverse sweep, we cover it all — from the Cup, Shield, Sitting, and Junior competitions. It was a true showcase of English volleyball, with fantastic crowds, outstanding performances, and a brilliant atmosphere throughout the weekend.

We deep dive into every match, sharing our thoughts and insights from the commentary booth, highlighting match MVPs, key stats, and some behind-the-scenes reflections. We also celebrate the winners of the Volleyball England annual awards — including my own unexpected honour of being named Coach of the Year — and mark the special moment of Ian Legrand’s induction into the Volleyball England Hall of Fame.

A huge thank you to the officials, volunteers, and the Volleyball England team who made the event possible.

We originally set out to record a 30-minute episode... but when you get three passionate voices together, it naturally turned into a full hour of conversation about the sport we love. We hope you enjoy it! If you couldn’t be there in person, you can catch all the matches — and hear our commentary — on the Volleyball England YouTube channel.

That's a wrap for the indoor season. There's plenty of exciting beach volleyball action to come over the summer, and we already can't wait for another fantastic indoor season next year.

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This is Part Two of The Heritage Show, a special episode of That Volleyball Guy created in partnership with Volleyball England to honour the people, places, and pivotal moments that have shaped the sport in this country.

In this second half of our conversation, I’m once again joined by Volleyball England legend Richard Callicott, picking up from where we left off in Part One.

Richard shares his powerful reflections on being part of London 2012, the impact of the Olympic experience, and the legacy it left behind — not just for volleyball, but for British sport as a whole.

We speak openly about the ongoing funding challenges volleyball faces and the uphill battles that continue behind the scenes to grow and sustain the sport.

Richard also talks about his instrumental role in bringing beach volleyball to the Commonwealth Games, a major achievement that put the sport on a new international stage.

We revisit the historic Sandwell Grass Tournament, which at its height welcomed a record-breaking 420 teams, earning a Guinness World Record and becoming one of the most iconic events in UK volleyball history.

To round things off, Richard shares his thoughts on where the sport is today and his hopes for the future of volleyball in England.

It’s a conversation full of insight, honesty and passion from someone who’s had a lasting impact on the game. I could have talked to Richard for hours — and even then, there’s still more we didn’t cover.

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In this episode of Digging Deeper, in proud partnership with Volleyball England, we sit down with two incredible champions of the sport: Deb and Bob Pickens. Originally from the USA, Deb and Bob moved to the UK over 40 years ago and what was meant to be a two-year stay turned into a lifelong commitment to developing volleyball in the South East and beyond.

Deb reflects on her NCAA playing days at the University of Missouri and shares the story of how she met Bob, before the pair made the leap across the pond. We dive into Deb’s early days as a PE teacher and explore the cultural differences between the US and UK when it comes to sport and coaching.

From coaching at ACS International School in Cobham to becoming deeply embedded in local and regional volleyball, their passion for grassroots development shines through. We explore how that passion led to the creation of VBDC camps, which have grown into a well-respected hub for junior talent, offering a range of opportunities for both elite and emerging young athletes.

Deb and Bob reflect on working with coaches from around the world, their evolving approach to performance coaching, and the joy of watching players grow. To round off the episode, we dig into some of the current challenges facing junior development in the UK and hear their thoughts on what needs to change to move things forward.

This one is full of heart, wisdom and decades of experience. A must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of our game.

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It’s the ultimate volleyball showdown! In this special edition Timeout episode, I'm joined by fellow Volleyball England commentator and Super League fanatic Michael Hanson-Morris as we preview the much-anticipated Final 4 Weekend of the Dynamik Men’s Super League and Maaree Women’s Super League, taking place 5–6 April at Crystal Palace.

We dive into the drama of the regular season, break down the semi-final matchups, and make our bold predictions for who’s making the finals. Expect plenty of volleyball geekery as Michael brings the stats, insight, and passion you’d expect from someone who’s followed the league all season long and been right there on the mic for Super League Live.

🔥 Will Essex Rebels Men go better than last year’s 4th place finish?
🔥 Can Malory Eagles (men and women) bring the title home for the first time in years?
🔥 Is a shock result on the cards?

We also highlight the two massive semi-final matchups that are 1-1 in the regular season:

• Essex Rebels vs. SideOut Polonia (Women)
• London Giants vs. Malory Eagles (Men)

🎟️ Tickets are still available via the Volleyball England website – don’t miss out on the biggest weekend in English volleyball!

📺 Can’t make it? Catch all the action on the Volleyball England YouTube livestream.

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In this episode of Super League Time-Out, I break down all the action from this weekend's matches across the Maaree Women’s Super League and Dynamik Men’s Super League!

Joining me this week are three American athletes from the Essex Rebels Women’s team—Thea, Chelsea, and Alexis—as they discuss their win over UON, reflect on their season so far, and share how they’re preparing for their Final Four semi-final against Team Sideout.

Elsewhere in the Maaree Women’s Super League, the final relegation spot has been confirmed—Cambridge ARU’s time in the top flight comes to an end, while Darkstar Derbyshire secures a playoff place.

Over in the Dynamik Men’s Super League, despite a loss to UON, Essex Rebels clinch the regular season title with a win over Essex Blaze, setting up a Final Four semi-final against Newcastle Knights. Meanwhile, Essex Blaze join IBB Polonia and Stockport in relegation after Richmond picked up a crucial point to secure 7th place and a playoff spot.

Tune in now for all the latest on the Super League, and don’t forget—Final Four is happening on 5th & 6th April at Crystal Palace Sports Centre! Get your tickets now at the Volleyball England website.

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