Indoor Men's Programme

Programme History

2006 - After the announcement by UK Sport of funding for all Olympic sports in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics, the Great Britain Men’s programme was re-established in June. After five training camps the first internationals were played in August against Australia.

2007 - In April the former Dutch National Team Coach, Arie “Harry” Brokking, was unveiled as the Head Coach.
The 11th June was a significant date, as the start of a full-time training programme at the EIS-Sheffield. Shortly afterwards the squad embarked on its international programme with matches in Egypt, Tunisia and Poland. The latter was remarkable for taking a set from their Polish hosts.
At the end of September the squad relocated to Amstelveen in Holland where they played a season in the Dutch Pro A League as Club Martinus.

2008 - The International season began with matches in the European Championship – victory at home, and a close defeat away to Denmark ensured qualification to the second round in which they beat Sweden on one occasion but lost both times to Belgium and Greece.
The team also entered the European League and were drawn against the Netherlands, Greece, Slovakia and Portugal. Victories were recorded against Greece and Portugal at home in Sheffield.
Sheffield hosted the full-time Winter Development Squad, increasing the talent pool available to select from, while seven athletes plied their trade in the European Professional Leagues.

2009 - January saw Great Britain enter the World Championships for the first time, narrowly losing out at home to Israel and Belarus in the first round. The focus of the summer International season was again the European League, and the squad warmed up with matches in Denmark, and at home against the visiting Australians. In the European League the men scored their first away victories in Croatia. The summer finished with a friendly series in Albania.
Sheffield again hosted the full-time Winter Development Squad, while 13 athletes plied their trade in the European Professional Leagues.

2010 - The International season saw participation in the first and second qualification rounds of the 2011 European Championship, and the team made their third consecutive appearance in the European League. Following the official competitions, Harry Brokking led the team on a 25-day tour to Tunisia, Egypt and Qatar.
Throughout the season 29 matches were played, with 10 victories, those being over Denmark, Azerbaijan, Slovakia, Spain, Romania, Tunisia, Egypt and Qatar.
The winter club season 2010-11 saw 17 athletes in European Professional Leagues. Due to funding constraints the development squad is abandoned and coaches Harry Brokking and Joel Banks also find contracts with clubs, in Kuwait and the Netherlands respectively.

2011 - The International season started with a 4-0 series win in Norway, followed by a 1-1 tied series with China at home. In the CEV European League GB beat all three teams in their Pool, Slovenia, Belgium & Croatia. The London 2012 Olympic venue Earls Court also hosted the London Volleyball International Invitational (Olympic Test Event), where GB recorded victories over Egypt and Mexico, and gained valuable experience against Brazil, USA and Serbia. The season finished with a 16-day trip to Mexico.
There are over 20 British athletes in Europe for the 2011-12 club season.