Hello again!
So soon you might be thinking? I dont think I am getting better at blogging but maybe its because I have a little more to tell this time that I have made it to blog no 3 within my four month time line keeping you updated about my news.

Well in case you in hadnt heard, I got to play in Gran Canaria, the BVF supported Mel Coutts and I with the rubber stamp to play in the first round of the Nestea European Tour. Thanks Matt for ticking the boxes so we could play! I was really pleased that the BVF allowed us non-programme athletes to compete, not so much for myself but for players like Helen Brown, Kerri Olding, Tom Lord, Matt 'Legs' Pierce etc. They need to know that if they work hard and find sponsors that they can start to plan and play through international competition and compete in these events. It's a shame that Denise and Lucy didnt get to play as we were looking forward to the county quota game against them, still we did get to play against the UKR team who had qualified for the main draw in the FIVB event in Adelaide a few weeks earlier.European Results from Spain
Press Report

The two best things about going to play in Gran Canaria were:

1)Seeing all the athletes I have been working with since they were little puppies playing and competing on the World Stage, when you have nurtured them through the tough times with little or no money and encourgaed them to have a love of the game and to travel and strive to improve just because.....now they have this goal its great to see them out there really working hard to achieve that goal.

2)Knowing that the ambition that I fueled in the players I have worked with is still within reach. Its been five years since I competed with Mo Glover on the FIVB and I was a little concerned that the level of play had improved beyond my own experiences, not so. The number of teams competing has grown, but the way they play and what they do hasnt changed. The Austrian girls who are more than likely going to go to Beijing this summer are physically not challenging, technically not at all what you would aim for but they have been playing and training in the right environment spending months in Brazil I believe to achive a level of consistency which is what playing on the world tour demands.

Oh and 3) Travelling to an international event by boat, the trip took about 6-7 hours from Tenerife but was a great way to travel.

So moving on to this summer, the EVA have now got their online registration up and running although I have found a few glitches I am hoping that its all ironed out in the next few days, Gemma and Martin have been working really hard to get it running smoothly, links are on the home page.

Lets hope the wet weather rains itself out for the Gold Coast Ocean Fest, it looks like shaping up for a great year of competition. I have already purchased my sky plus on the £50 deal and its been worth every penny - I havent missed an FIVB World Tour final yet! Being able to record every game from Beijing I am already excited just about that!

Talk Soon
Denise.x.