Please see the minutes from the Committee Meeting on 15 May 2023.

Minutes

Unfortunately Warrington (M) have had to withdraw from Mens Division 2, as they will not be able to complete their remaining fixtures.

As they have not completed 75% of their fixtures, all previous results have been discarded and the league table updated accordingly.

The MVL 2022-23 season is due to end on Sunday 14th May.

As we come towards the end of the season it’s evident that for most clubs their match program has gone well. Some clubs have already completed their fixtures and all four divisions are showing a high level of match completions. All the remaining games have fixture dates agreed and there are relatively few matches still to be played in May.

The clubs with the most outstanding fixtures are Warrington men (5 games remaining) and Knutsford women (3 games remaining).

The committee has agreed that one fixture which has been the subject of a dispute will be allowed to overrun the deadline.

Please make every effort to complete your fixtures. If you have any problems and find you need further rearrangements you will need to contact the committee to get permission for an extension beyond the scheduled league completion date, otherwise even if you play the game it will be held to be null and void and will not be counted in your league results.

Please also ensure that results are submitted ASAP after each match to allow the final league tables to be compiled.

Brian Kendall Cup

We are still working on a date and format for this end-of season event. Notice will be sent out to all MVL teams as soon as we have a positive proposal.

Alan Bell
MVL Secretary

Please see the minutes from the recent Committee Meeting.

MVL Committee Meeting Minutes

Hello

Hope you are well.

There is a clear shortage of qualified, registered and active referees in the North West.

This is most acutely seen in the National Volleyball League where we are often unable to appoint two referees per match and, indeed, all too often this season, we have not been able to appoint any referees to some matches. This causes issues for all concerned. Home teams looking for referees when the NVL Panel referees have been appointed to other matches. 

Visiting teams are unhappy when they discover an unqualified, non-panel referee is acting as second official, sometimes even as first official. More so, sometimes, when they are connected with the home team. Due to the shortage of NVL Panel referees in the area, this is where we find ourselves from time to time.

First things first. Whilst the above is not ideal, we are where we are. By definition a qualified referee is neutral. I have often seen referees associated with a team subconsciously be harder on “their” team to alleviate any suggestion of bias. 

In the Merseyside and Greater Manchester leagues teams often have to officiate themselves. This has seen experienced players take the stand but  some are not familiar with the basics of refereeing eg hand signals, controlling the match, being up to date with the current Rules of the Game.

But we can all do something about this!

1. We ran a VE Grade IV referee course in both Liverpool and Manchester last year. Nearly thirty newly qualified and registered referees. Some have dipped their toes into NVL. Some are very active in local leagues. Majority, however, have probably not officiated many matches since they qualified.

2. So, we would like to run further courses in the North West again in the coming months. Would your club have any potential candidates to attend and become qualified match officials? Like players, and coaches, referees have to start somewhere. The Grade IV course is the place to start. Learn the Rules, learn how to score, get practices as a first and second referee within the safe environment of the course and then progress into the local leagues, BUCS and, eventually, into the NVL, we hope.

3. Please let me know if you would have any people interested. We can see the level of interest and try to get one, or two, courses in place.

4. We could also look to do some other things, if there was the appetite from the clubs. For example:
   
   • we could offer an online teach-in on how to score using the National League scoresheet. This scoresheet is used internationally and provides so much information and support to the scorer, referees and teams!
   • we could look to offer a refresher / briefing for those who are officiating in BUCS and the local leagues but are not qualified, or who have not read the most recent version of the Rules of the Game? Help people manage the games more effectively, provide a better background and knowledge and increase confidence, perhaps.
   • perhaps we could arrange a F2F or virtual update session for clubs ahead of the 2023-24 season and go over any changes in the Rules of the Game, competition rules for NVL (and MVL and GMVA?) and have a mutual dialogue about how referees are going to officiate in the season ahead?

Your thoughts on any of this, and any other suggestions to help improve the overall position of officiating in the North West would be really appreciated.

And if MVL and GMVA could publish and promote on their websites that would be fantastic!!

Best regards
Lenny Barry

Volleyball England
NW Regional Referee Administrator
VE Grade 1 (National) Referee

Volleyball England Regions Meeting

Volleyball England’s new Chief Executive Charlie Ford has been making some effort to get to know the people involved in the sport and canvass views on the way forward. He has professed himself very keen to connect with and develop links with the grassroots and to promote consolidation and growth through these grassroots links. Conversations have been going on over the last month or so within the management team and with a wide range of volunteers involved in delivering current programmes. I have attached below a report of an online meeting set up by VE for area and regional representatives held on Thursday 19^th January. The report was produced by Bryan Youlden Chair of the Manchester League and last North West Chair. Merseyside League was invited to attend but we had no-one available on that date. The note includes a number of proposals including replacing Volleyzone (to improve on line management and communication), review, update and promote referees and coaching courses and trying to connect more effectively with schools. Read it if you have time – pass on any feedback to me and I’ll be able to take it up with VE on behalf of the Merseyside League.

Bryan Youlden’s report…

With the arrival of a new Chief Executive and deputy at Volleyball England significant changes are underway. There appears to be a desire to re-connect with the individual players, clubs, areas and regions. As one of the first steps in this process, Chair of GMVA Bryan Youlden was invited to attend a Zoom meeting with other officials from County and regions across England as the first of a regular quarterly catch up.

VE Chair Charlie Ford has a background as a basketball player and continues to coach a junior girls basketball team. As such, he has a close affinity with grass roots sport. Most recently he was Chief Executive at British Boxing and formerly occupied a similar position at British Basketball. His new deputy Guin Batten is a former Olympic rower.

Charlie has embarked upon a series of discussions with various people within the sport and has received a clear message that the connection between the centre and the membership needs re-establishing. He has therefore announced a commitment to opening channels of communication. GMVA Chair Bryan was the last Chair of the Regional sub-group and since he stepped down some 3 years ago, many felt that there was no longer any voice for the regional and area associations in our sport.

As a result, a number of new initiatives are underway based on a commitment to listen to the membership and to act in accordance with their wishes. There is a desire to be more supportive and responsive to the needs of the grass roots. It is accepted that this will take time to implement, but the first steps have been announced as follows:

• The first step is the appointment of a new Community Lead Stakeholder. A new position has been advertised for a dedicated person to work closely with the regions, counties and area associations.
• A further role is being developed to support sitting volleyball as there is a concern that that division of our sport needs further focus. There is also an opportunity for an area or region to offer to take a lead in initiating a local sitting league or competition structure. If there is any interest for GMVA clubs, please let me know and I will table our interest. Whoever is selected will benefit by way of equipment and other support.
• Digital transformation – It is accepted that Volleyzone is clunky and needs improvement. An agreement has therefore been entered into Sport Lomo and Seven League who will supply a new digital platform which will substantially upgrade areas such as membership and competitions management. It is promised that there will be lots of consultation and teach points to support us all going forward. The platform should also help local league administration if we want to take advantage and participate. All costs are covered and we can offer to be a pilot if we wish.
• VE sanctioned events – An agreement has been reached with our insurers so that all VE sanctioned events will have full insurance cover.
• Officiating – The lack of referees is a substantial problem in areas such as Greater Manchester. A review is underway with 10 areas of focus having been identified for further consideration. Ideas include a new lower-level qualification, a review of referee’s fees and other ideas.
• Inter- Regional Championships – The importance of this competition as a pathway in junior development is recognised and a further review is underway to look at enhancing the competition.
• Coach Award – A new coach award is being announced to replace the old Level 2 award.
• Facilities – The Department of Education is revamping and upgrading 239 schools including their sports facilities. VE is keen to engage with Government to ensure the needs of volleyball are recognised.

So, some interesting and positive new developments, but where do we go from here to build on this?

In February, consultation with the volleyball community will extend with feedback forms issued to a number of stakeholders.  Based on the responses, a road map will be developed for the next 2-4 years.

March will see a plan finalised for the next year. Communications updates will be issued and the website updated.

April will result in the start of delivery of the phase 2 delivery of the Game Plan along with further updates.

There will be quarterly meetings with the regions and counties to continue the communication channel newly opened. I have also asked for North West Region and other local associations to be invited.

Please see actions points from a recent committee meeting to discuss Growth and Development:

MVL Meeting Summary – Jan 2023

A Tournament – Sun 6th Nov

9 entries played in Pools of 5 and 4 with cross-over semis for teams placing 1st and 2nd and a 5 team play-off for the teams that failed to qualify.

• Winners: Chester
• Runners-up: Wigan Seahawks

Full results below:

B Tournament – Sun 13 Nov

We had six entries:
Knutsford B. Liverpool U18, Liverpool U16, Chester Trojans, Chester Uni Men, Liverpool
Hope
The competition was played in two pools of 3 with cross-over semi finals for the winners
and runners of each pool, followed by the final plus 3/4th and 5/6th play-offs.
Chester Trojans beat Liverpool U18 in the first semi-final
Chester Uni beat Liverpool U16 in the second semi-final

 

It would be great if any teams that took part would like to submit photos from the tournament to be displayed on the homepage and/or in a specific gallery for the tournaments.
Please submit them using the form below:

Submit Photos

 

The Des Jeffers Womens Tournament took place at  Woodchurch High School on Sun 30th Oct.

There were 8 entries:

• Winners – Everton Rhinos
• Runners-up – Liverpool

Full results below:

It would be great if any teams that took part would like to submit photos from the tournament to be displayed on the homepage and/or in a specific gallery for the tournaments.
Please submit them using the form below:

Submit Photos

Date:     Monday 3rd October 2022
Time:     7pm
Venue:   Alder Sports & Social Club, Alder Rd, Liverpool L12 2AY

Time and Venue now confirmed!

Information for Clubs

MVL website              www.merseyvolley.co.uk
Chair                              Andrew Fuller. Tel 07931 791036, afuller704@gmail.com
Secretary                    Alan Bell. Tel 07540 309932, alanandsuebell@me.com

2022-23 Season

• The season will run from mid October 2022 to 15 May 2023
• We expect to have 2 Mens and 2 Womens divisions with 8-10 teams in each, giving each team between 14 and 18 matches over the season.

League Entry

All teams that wish to play in the Merseyside League MUST attend the AGM / Fixture Meeting where:

• League affiliation and tournament entry fees are to be paid (if not already paid by BACS)
• League format, rules changes and fees for the coming season will be finalised
• Teams are expected to arrange their fixtures with other teams in their division

All teams should register their team details ASAP (and certainly prior to the AGM) using the ‘Team Registration‘ form on the MVL website (under <Info> on the menu).
Link: Team Registration

Fees for 2022-23

Entry fees are as follows :

• Senior Teams: £35
• Junior Teams (all members U18): £20
• New Teams (1st season in MVL): £20 + £15 Surety Deposit

If possible, please pay these fees by bank transfer (BACS) before the AGM.
After registering your team online, you will receive an email with the bank details to pay this by BACS.

If not paid beforehand, these fees must be paid at the AGM.

Alan Bell
Merseyside Volleyball League Secretary