Keith Nicholls

Volleyball has been a part of my life since I was first dragged to a training session at St Mary's College of Education in 1965 by another student called Tommy Quayle. What happened to him in the years that have passed I do not know but in that simple act he changed my life, enabled me to meet my wife who also played volleyball and gave me a lifelong interest.

I find the game challenging and absorbing. Unlike most sports your position and role changes frequently so you get to play all phases of the game. No standing on the wing getting cold waiting for a pass!

I started teaching in Sutton in Ashfield before studying for a MA in PE at Leeds University. Following that I returned to St Mary's as a lecturer before moving to Bristol Poly , now West of England University, as Director of Physical Recreation. After 20 years in Bristol I took up a new post as Director of PE & Sport at UEA Norwich until my retirement in 2011. A major part of my work was creating and developing the Sportspark that became one of the largest community and university sports facilities in the UK..A huge complex funded with a Lottery grant initially and subsequent extensions were funded entirely out of generated income. The whole complex operated without subsidy from the University or local authorities. I also acted as consultant for a large number of other large university and community sports developments

My volleyball career included 51 caps for GB and England, coaching GB in the world Student games, England Select in the Commonwealth Championships as well as several national league Clubs. I commentated on international womens volleyball for Channel Four. Ten players I taught to play and developed gained international caps. I served on the Board of Volleyball England as Technical Director and other positions as well as President over a 50 year period.

I have written two books Modern Volleyball and Skills of the Game and am currently engaged on a third book on effective training for volleyball. As a coach volleyball is like chess. You constantly need to be planning and thinking ahead. Strategy is important and you are constantly challenged by the way the game is panning out. Managing your team of individuals has similarities to a conductor in an orchestra ;keeping everyone together and bringing the best out of each individual.

I have been fortunate to play and coach the game for nearly 50 years at local, national and international levels. Over that time there have been rule changes, technical and tactical developments but none of these have affected the fundamental skills and principles of the game.