Haughton Volleyball Club was formed in 1975, by Jackson Sweeting. Haughton Volleyball Club was started in September 1975 after a request by some 5th year pupils who wanted to continue playing after they had left school. The only available 'slot' in the spotstshall at that time was a Friday night. It proved that only the really keen ones were prepared to train at a time traditionally spent socialising. This is still the Club training night and it has proved to keep only the very keen, or really stupid, depending on how you look at it, at the Club. There is a steady flow of members from Haughton School into the club, but with a reducing number of female players over the last few years, which is a little dissappointing. the Club boasts 2 national League squads, 1 male, 1 female, and 3 local league squads, as well as supporting the junior volleyball players from Haughton School. The Club has enjoyed some success over the years, with junior sides reaching and winning national finals in the past and it is pleasing to see ex-players playing for various clubs throughout the country. Last weekend when the ladies team entertained Leeds in the knockout cup 3 ex-players were playing for the opposition! We still have a number of the original members still playing competitively at the Club, and helping with the coaching. Work out how old they will be! 2005 sees our 30th anniversary and discussions are under way to celebrate this moment.

Awards for All Success

Haughton Volleyball Club, are pleased to 'Announce' a successful funding application from Awards for All. The grant of £4940.00 will be used for equipment, coaching, facility hire and marketing etc!. Haughton Volleyball Club aims to promote and encourage volleyball in every way. The award will enable the group to provide additional sessions for young people.

Local Heroes Awards Night 2005

N Power Leading Light Award & Local Hero 2005 for Services to Volleyball Ian Berry Ian has been a total ambassador for the game of Volleyball in the North East of England for over 25 Years, with his contribution over this period being nothing but remarkable. Starting playing back in the 70’s in what was then a virtual unknown sport here in the North East, Ian has over the period of time gain substantial experience not only in the game of Volleyball itself, but in strategic leader of the game. He was so taken with the sport that almost the rest of his life he has dedicated to coaching, promoting, refereeing, encouraging and administering the sport. This along with representation on many national bodies eg Sport England, English Volleyball and various think tank groups, ensuring healthy well thought out targeted participation and mass promotion of the game in the North East in the particular areas of junior Volleyball. His enthusiasm took him into coaching in the early days and worked endlessly in teaching the game to numerous juniors in the North Tyneside area. As part of this drive Ian has coached his own children into Volleyball with his daughter Wendy playing at the highest level, as England Captain for a number of years in European competition. His efforts have been tireless and inspiring to many of the players, coaches and officials across the North East and at International level. This has not gone unnoticed as Ian has been asked to sit on many groups not just for Volleyball (although these have been many) but his drive and knowledge has been recognised by Sport England who have enlisted his help and experience on many committees over the years, helping to set sport and in particular Volleyball high on the agenda. Ian has been instrumental in bringing a full time Development Officer to Volleyball, on more than one occasion to the North of England which allowed volleyball to penetrate schools across the region raising the profile. This required a very detailed business case outlining the benefits and specific targeted groups which all had to be pulled together and fully coordinated and approved by Sport England. Following this success and significantly raising the profile even higher Ian lead a successful bid to host an international here in the North East (first time outside London) in which both Volleyball, Education, Sport England and Industry were all embraced by Ian’s endless efforts, initially coordinating the bid, then the actual organisation of the full international, liaising with the World body in ensuring the event was highly successful, and demonstrating to the country the Spirit of Sport. His love for the game and the enthusiasm that he has shown over the years has increased the sport to levels that once over would never have been heard of. With competition from Football, Rugby, Cricket along with Netball and Hockey through Ian’s work Volleyball is common to most schools and with this platform has lead to strong leagues that now exist in Tyneside and Teesside which have been demanded due to the participation of youngsters playing recreational Volleyball. The region now has a very strong junior set up with many regional teams, which Ian promoted through the English Volleyball Association always competing in National tournaments with the region actually now being singled out for Sporting excellence by the English Volleyball Association, for good organisation and participation. Bringing the unusual and striving for excellence has been a very common theme of Ian’s success. Never waining, always pushing, turning up for every meeting where ever it is being held in the North of England and whatever the weather, drawing up comprehensive plans, policies, strategies, setting milestones, targets all in line with current thinking, always aiming at Junior involvement, both at National and Local levels. Ian was instrumental in a recent initiative in including Volleyball at a regional Summer School in Sunderland, in which he was involved in the management of in conjunction with Sport England and other partners. Although Ian has semi retired he still has a burning ambition to see and watch Volleyball continue to be a success in the future, and is still coaching Volleyball in the North Yorkshire, with a view to onward development. It goes without saying that Ian is a constant font of knowledge and source of support for the entire Volleyball community in the region, with advice and information and always making himself available to anyone who may require assistance. Ian’s work, due to the time, effort and dedication has without doubt ensured the foundation and high degree of success the region has achieved , and will never be forgotten. Volleyball will be for ever grateful for his work in raising the profile of this game. Ken Maddison - Chairman Tees Valley Volleyball Association

Ian Berry NPower Leading Light Award Winner 2005 & Local Hero 2005 [il on] Pictured Above Left to Right [il off] Ken Maddison Chairman Tees Valley Volleyball Association & Haughton Volleyball Club, Ian Berry Local Hero 2005, Jackson Sweeting Youth Development Officer - Haughton Volleyball Club

Haughton VC Juniors Success

Haughton Vc U16's
Haughton Volleyball Club entered the U16 Boys National Championships to get
some experience for their U15 boys.
The 1st round is regionalised, and was
played in Middlesbrough last Saturday.
The Haughton boys, all but one attending
Haughton School, played 3 games against 2 teams from Acklam and one from Siddal Moor, Rochdale. They won all 3 games 2 sets to 0 and now progress to round 2 which will be played in Manchester on January 22nd.
This is the first competition the boys have played in and were competing against teams a
year older than themselves.
The Club's junior section continues to produce
talent for the future.

Haughton VC U15's Reach National Finals On Saturday Jan 29th Haughton Volleyball Club U15 Boys travelled to Sidall Moor Sports College to compete in the North of England Championships. They played 3 games, winning 2 against Kings Manor Sports College, M'Bro and against Siddal Moor 'B' squad. They lost 2 sets to 1 against Siddal Moor 'A' team who boast an England junior player in their team. The Haughton Boys played this team first and struggled to find their form, losing the first set, but coming back strongly to convincingly win the 2nd. The deciding 3rd set looked to be going our way until a couple of service receive errors cost the boys the game. Haughton still qualified for 'Finals Day' when the best 8 teams in England compete for the National title! Hopefully Haughton will have a full squad available as they played on Saturday with both first choice setters unavailable. Haughton U15 Team Pictured Above Left to Right Adam Kendray, Simon Robinson, Scott Turner, Chris Duncan, Andrew Roberts, Michael Curnow & Andrew Railton.