Beach Volleyball with Help from Eccles Sixth Form College Students
Bridlington, 23 June 2024 — The NEVZA International Beach Volleyball Tour landed in Bridlington, bringing together top athletes from Northern Europe and a dedicated team of students from Eccles Sixth Form College for a unique and hands-on work experience.
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Volleyball England tapped Rich Lee, a sports teacher at Eccles Sixth Form College with extensive experience from the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, to lead the court management for this high-profile event. Recognising the value of real-world experience, Rich asked if students could be brought along to assist. With Volleyball England’s enthusiastic approval, he swiftly assembled a team of five eager students from the college Volleyball Team, prepared them for their roles, and set off for Bridlington.
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Arriving on June 23rd, the team quickly got to work setting up the venue. Under the guidance of Jeff Brehaut, an FIVB Delegate and two-time Olympic referee, the students learned the intricacies of beach volleyball court management, including setting up court lines, erecting barriers, and maintaining the sand. The students demonstrated impressive enthusiasm and teamwork, consistently seeking ways to contribute and improve their skills.
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Day two began with intensive training at 8 am, as athletes from across Northern Europe started arriving. The students, in addition to their setup duties, received training in scoring matches. Debra Smart, the lead official for beach volleyball, identified two students, Kayden Jones and Azra Sayim, as standout scorers, earmarking them for official duties during the competition.
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However, an unexpected challenge arose when local schools withdrew their volunteers, leaving the event with only a fraction of the needed staff. The core team, including the five student assistants, had to step-up significantly. Rich quickly trained the students on additional tasks such as adjusting net heights, raking sand, and working alongside officials and players.
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As the competition kicked off at 7:30am on the first day, the students were integrated into the event management team, each mentored by an experienced court manager. Reports of their performance were overwhelmingly positive. Over the next three days, the students grew increasingly independent, with Rich entrusting them with full court management responsibilities. By finals, each student managed their own court, handling duties from setup to overseeing matches.
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The final day was a highlight, with students managing courts up to the gold medal matches. Azra Sayim, in particular, stood out, scoring one of the medal matches before joining as a court manager. Rich praised the students' rapid development and dedication, noting the “invaluable experience” they gained.
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Reflecting on the event, one student, Jake Rogers, summed up the sentiment: "I went straight to sleep when I got home, but the moment I woke up, I wanted to go back!" The success of this year’s involvement has already spurred plans for NEVZA 2025, with Rich aiming to bring an even larger group of students next year.
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The collaboration between NEVZA International Beach Volleyball, Volleyball England and Eccles Sixth Form College not only supported a successful sporting event but also provided an unforgettable educational experience for the students
involved.
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If you’re leaving school in September and have a passion for Sports, discover more about the exciting opportunities available through our sports courses and apply online at www.eccles.salfordcc.ac.uk/