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Mar 18

Stockport Volleyball goes viral on COVID-19

Somethings are bigger than our wonderful sport. All training and matches are postponed or cancelled with immediate effect. The S’PORT (Stockport Volleyball Club) has been diligent in following advice from both authorities and our National Governing Body, Volleyball England. As the Season is brought to a premature close, we will advise all members on next steps, when notified. It has to be said our Club fills us with nothing but immense pride. Men were in with a shout of runners-up with only three games remaining in NVL Division 1; Women sit at top of table for Greater Manchester Volleyball League; and u15 Boys get to the final 8s. All winners in our eyes – as are so many others.

Sport England has said:

“An important part of our work is to keep the nation active through this difficult period and our projects and programmes are vital in doing that. Interested parties can email serious and important comments to: coronavirus@sportengland.org“

Volleyball England’s guidance has announced:

“With the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus set to worsen in the weeks ahead, these decisions have been taken with the health and safety of our members, their friends and families and the wider community in mind. We understand these decisions will result in inconvenience and disappointment to players, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters at what is a key point of the season, but it is our duty to protect everyone associated to our sport.

New government guidance stipulates that if you have coronavirus symptoms, however mild – either a new continuous cough or a high temperature – that you should stay at home for at least 7 days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease. If this applies to you, please do not travel to a match or training session.

Members are reminded of our previous guidance:

  • League regulations regarding pre and post-match handshakes have been relaxed for the foreseeable future. Referees, coaches and players are advised to wave or bow instead as a small, precautionary measure;
  • Members are encouraged to hold off on greetings and congratulatory touches at matches;
  • Clubs should keep in regular contact with the owners of their facility, to ensure they’re up to date with their guidance, and to ensure they have access to appropriate hand washing facilities;
  • Teams should wash their hands before and after each match and training session;
  • Follow NHS guidance to help stop the spread of germs (as follows);
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze;
  • Put used tissues in the bin immediately;
  • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available;
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

As a further precautionary step, teams are advised to wash all equipment, particularly volleyballs, before and after matches and training sessions. Please seek instructions from the ball manufacturer on this (2 of the most common have been listed below):

   Mikasa: www.mikasasports.co.jp/e/support/maintenance

    Molten: www.molten.co.jp/sports/en/volleyball/product/volleyball/index.html

For general queries related to the coronavirus, please continue to follow government guidance. The latest information can be found using the links below:

    www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

    www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

We appreciate the coronavirus is creating an increasingly complex situation and we’re working hard to ensure we can provide appropriate solutions to your queries as soon as possible. Going forward, we will continue to monitor the situation, follow government advice and keep you updated.”

Stay safe our friends #volleyballfamily. We stand together!

***********************************

More than just a Club – a true philosophy – not surprising with our Chair having worked at FC Barcelona renown for its “Més que un club” strapline and culture. Stockport Volleyball Club, the S’PORT, adds values to our members’ lives in so many ways. In that spirit, with you at out heart, we want to announce a COVID 19 (coronavirus) task force.

In the light of Volleyball England and Greater Manchester Volleyball Association recommendations which we fully endorse, we wanted to say with the premature interruption and cessation of our training and match activities, that we are still here for you. The Chair, Adrian Stores and Club Captain’s for Women and Men, respectively, Becca Mastin and Adam Mitchell are available for serious and genuine enquiries as below:

Adrian Stores adrian@stockportvolleyball.com

Becca Mastin becca@stockportvolleyball.com

Adam Mitchell adam@stockportvolleyball.com

Furthermore, the Club’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts can be utilised for communications.

We recognise we are genuinely a #volleyballfamily and so if advice, sign-posting, urgent support is required throughout this difficult time in our lives, please do know we will not abandon our members and will try our utmost to help at least in some way, within our capabilities and resources. Stay Safe

[the S’PORT Management Committee].

Feb 17

Fancy an adventure?

Manchester Giants has teamed up with Adventure Hunt UK to organise a fun day to coincide with our last game of the season against Bristol Flyers on Sunday 19th April 2020.

The Day will begin in Manchester City Centre where there will be a series of challenges to take part in, to unlock a treasure hunt, with a range of phenomenal prizes.

Not only do we expect this to be one of the largest community-events organised by the GIANTS, but it will raise valuable funding to support the Club and its’ sister Foundation.

Our very own Commercial Director, was one of the first to enter one for his family and another his volleyball club. Adrian Stores said:

“This is an incredible opportunity, and one of great value to entertain family and friends.  Joining in the fun in our fabulous City, we can’t wait to get stuck into the adventure and help the GIANTS in the process.  It all being in the Centre of Town means we can easily move from check in to check in with our quest for the hidden treasures”.

It is also a great Event to reward team members and staff in local companies.  Some of the first to sign up includes: Macdonald Manchester Hotel, ACROBAT FCSM and Higgins.

Might you like to enter a Team in our forthcoming Adventure Hunt.  A guaranteed day of fun – ending with GIANTS entry for last game of the Season.  The cost is only £160 for a Team of 4 if you enter a corporate team – or £80 if 4 people enter individually or as a family (free for under 16s, though which reduces the fee further, although atleast one Adult needs to accompany. So one Adult three children is just £20! ).

Bookings are being taken NOW.  Don’t delay to participate in our GIANTS Adventure.  Email astores@manchestergiants.com. with names and ages of participants in Team and address.

We’d also like to hear from Offices and Venues in the Centre of Manchester that can be considered in being one of the twenty stops.  This partnership is at £200 and we get all participants to visit and take proof of completing a challenge with your branding to go on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – plus every business owner and family receives your details, any promotional offering in goodies bag (so lead generation for your business!) and your brand is seen on the legacy map that will be printed and distributed throughout. Businesses interested inbeing a ‘treasure hunt stop’, should contact Adrian without delay via astores@manchestergiants.com.  An array of benefits – and corporate members get publicity on a guaranteed legacy map that is handed out to all participants.

As Organizer, Jacob Munday comments:

“If you’ve witnessed one of our events before you’ll love it. Adventure Hunt – As Seen On “Shark Tank™” on TV.  Treasure Hunts! That’s what we do, we create a mini course for you and your team.  Your family, friends or work colleagues will complete challenges and solve clues that guide you on a fun adventure to an actual buried treasure chest!  You won’t regret it, sign up now as they say “you’ve got to be in it to win it”.”

Watch out for our actual Manchester Giants players appearing in a teaser video soon facing the sorts of challenges that you to could face on the BIG DAY.  Come on sign up now and #beeGIANT.

Jan 27

The Grand National

It’s an interesting question, “what do we judge as success”? This was our inaugural foray into the prestigious National Cup of Volleyball England. Our entries at u15s level for both girls and boys.

Predictably pre-match on subsequent days, as nervous tension built up due to facing more experienced and established teams, emphasis was put on “one rule: enjoy yourself!”

The girls joined forces with Frodsham VC with our Stella, Ella and Alyssia making up 6. We called ourselves ‘Frodport’ in recognition of the partnership between these two clubs. One of our girls had only been playing the sport for 5 weeks. The biggest cheer of the day and camaraderie was witnessed when she got her serve over. Fantastic scenes! The three matches ended in defeat but a signal of just how well they did was a mere ’18-25′ loss to the Welsh National squad.

The boys went one step further and qualified for Round 2 from a strong group involving two Black Country VC teams and Urmston. A win in the last game in the final set against Black Country B saw Stockport through in third place with a trip to Newcastle Staffs in Round 2.

On reflection, whatever the criteria, our first venture into the National Cup was a success with happy players and coaches.

Dec 13

Racist Clouds

It raised its ugly head when the National Team played abroad and the UEFA protocol of dealing with racism was implemented to at least stage two.  The result of 0-6 silenced somewhat the Bulgarian minority of racists, before they trotted off curly tails between their legs after half time. Everyone concerned in Sofia were pinpointed. Modern day security cameras are incredibly accurate in football stadia. If only VAR was as sharp and decisive.

The same level of spotting trouble makers was easy at City versus United. The City-fan idiot can be expected to be banned for life from Etihad and its correct no tolerance stance on such behaviour. He may lose his job in turn states weekend reporting.

Overseas there is racist undertones. Always a minority but a vocal few that tarnish the game. The recent Italian headlines was ludicrous and worthy of an Editor losing a job. The Bulgarian Manager did infact resign after that England match.

I cannot comment authoritatively on foreign soil. Bit the re-emergence of this pathetic trend can have roots im broken Britain that the lamentable politicians across all parties should share blame for. I for one love Europe and cannot be shifted, even slightly, from my remainer-DNA. I embrace the joy of a multicultural group of friends in my Stockport Volleyball Club and across other sports. Diversity breeds an interesting environ, more so than navel-gazing of little Britoners. Lets understand what racism means and how it affects those targetted. The snowflake PC brigade make their points, but those affected are the ones I listen to most. As often the authorities are weak. It is not a football problem though IMHO, but social malaise. Law and order is the stick that needs attention so we can return to talking about just the football.

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