Council-run Volleyball Sessions Nurture International Talent

Swindon could be seen as a hotbed of volleyball talent after a 15-year-old from the borough recently represented England Under 17s at a highly prestigious tournament.

Ridgeway School student George Longmore is the first young person to graduate to the international ranks from a coaching programme that Swindon Borough Council organised.

George is one of more than 600 young volleyball players who've received expert coaching from Level 3 volleyball coach and ex-GB player Kelly Jones, which has seen him become one of Britain's top 12 Under 17 players..

He was the youngest player to be selected for the England Under 17 cadet squad that played in the recent NEVZA (Northern European Volleyball Zonal Association) 2014 tournament at Kettering's National Volleyball Centre..

George featured in every one of the five games against Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway as England finished in fourth place after narrow loss to Sweden in the bronze medal play-off.

“Having Kelly as a coach has impacted my life from a sport perspective greatly, from witnessing her expertise and commitment as well as having a first-hand account of her teaching abilities and love for volleyball,” explained George.

“Kelly is a true inspiration to us as pupils and has had a great influence on me and many other students. Kelly’s ability to inspire future generations is reflected by the standard we have reached in volleyball, the opportunities she has enabled us to take part in and the effort applied to focusing on improving our skills, it’s truly remarkable.

“I have recently been accepted into England volleyball as a result of her high level of coaching, a standard I would never have achieved or even come close to without her.”

Kelly has coached volleyball as an after-school club in Wroughton for the last few years in her role as a community sports coach for the Council and a number of the young people who've attended the sessions have since gone on to play  volleyball at a professional level across Wiltshire.

Kelly said: "I am extremely proud of George's selection into the squad, he's the first England Volleyball player to come from Swindon and I know he will inspire many of our younger players to follow in his footsteps.

“George was one of the only players in the tournament that isn't in full-time training at an academy so his selection to the squad is an amazing achievement. George will be part of the squad for the next two years and will travel abroad to compete in more international matches.”

More information about Swindon Borough Council’s coaching opportunities can be obtained by contacting Doug Imrie, Sports Participation Manager at by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 01793 465405.