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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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