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| Two Historic Clubs Merge |
| September 13th, 2004 |
As an ongoing effort to increase the profile of volleyball in the Bristol area, Speedwell Volleyball Club and Whitefield Volleyball Club have merged. The two clubs, which have both been in existance for more than three decades, have decided that the best way forward for the sport was to join forces.
The merger is intended to allow people of all skill levels to play within the club. A vision for the next few years sees up to eight teams: four men's and four women's, competing in the Southwest, Gloucestershire and National Leagues. For the 2004-5 season the club will have two men's teams competing in the National League (Divisions Two and Three) as well as two in the Southwest and Gloucestershire Leagues. The club has two women's teams that compete in the National and Southwest Leagues.
The vision for participation also targets players from the University of Bristol's squads. It is hoped that giving players opportunity to play outside of student competitions will attract a larger, long term player base. Currently, most players on University squads are students from the continent who only stay for one year. This, combined with the fact that EVA and BUSA student competitions take place over the course of a single weekend, mean that University squads don't have the opportunity to develop their programs. The formation of a super club, with the University as a key member, is intended to remedy this situation.
The relationship -- working with the model that the University and Speedwell VC used for the 2003-4 season -- gives the club access to the University's new sporting facilities. The University of Bristol Centre for Sport, Excersize and Health, will be the home venue for the club. Most of the club's training sessions will take place there, with Whitefield School picking up on sessions that could not be accomodated.
The name of the new club is City of Bristol Volleyball Club. The new website can be found at www.cityofbristolvc.org.uk. |
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