In a little under 50 months time the biggest ever sporting event that this country has ever seen with be taking place. This event will cater for elite athletes providing them with the opportunity to display their skills.

However it is expected that this event will generate more enthusiasm from people who will want to take part in sport than those who are actually participating in the event.

Volleyball is one of those fortunate sports that will be showcased in three different forms at this event, Indoors, Beach and Sitting.

Over the course of the next few months Volleyball England will know how much funding they will receive from Sport England to fund the sport for the next four years.

How will this all affect Clubs in Essex? Hopefully we will see an increase in general numbers, however there are large areas of the county that are devoid of Volleyball Clubs, Colchester, Braintree, Harlow, Basildon to name but a few. However it is not all bad as it is now good to see that Southend is back on the Volleyball map.

Over the past year there has been an increase in Schools wanting Volleyball sessions, great work is still being carried out in the Tendring area, Brentwood and Chelmsford areas are now being established and well done to all those have supported this work.

It was encouraging to see a few teams at last weekends successful JUVO tournament, under the guidance of Tony Pennock, indicating that the sport is still growing. Our task for the future must be to harness the enthusiasm and to encourage outlets for the sport to be played.

I would like conclude by not only thanking Brendan, Steve, Andre and Ken for the work that they have done in supporting the Essex Leagues and Cups in the last year, but everyone that has done their own little bit, no matter how small in ensuring that Volleyball lives.

Remember we are all volunteers.