Federal Government College, Sokoto (Nigeria) visit Burleigh Community College, Loughborough (England) June 2011 Sitting Volleyball

Introduction Burleigh Community College is linked with Federal Government College Sokoto as part of the British Council’s International Inspirations project promoting the London 2012 Olympic Games around the world. The main focus of this project is: Promoting the Olympic and Paralympic values. Developing Leadership in young people. Encouraging participation in sport by marginalised groups. The project described in this presentation was a result of the visit to England by our Nigerian colleagues in June 2011.

Sun 19 th JuneMon 20 th JuneTues 21 st JuneWed 22 nd JuneThurs 23 rd JuneFri 24 th June 9.am Leadership Training. Young Leaders(YL) with Burleigh YL on leadership training project. Developing Inclusive Sports. (Equality theme from II plan) Loughborough Schools visits (11-14yrs) Lunch pm St. Little Leaders project. Volleyball workshops 9am-12 Mini Volley and Volley Sport Staff at Leicester- shire and Rutland Secondary PE and Sport Conference all day. ‘Celebrating the Olympic Day’ YL following school timetable. Shopping/sightseei ng in Nottingham 2pm Delivery of Leadership project to Primary Schools. (SC) 5.30 – 6.30 Charnwood Inclusive Sports Club. 1.30pm Tour of Loughborough University sports facilities. 1-2pm Sitting Volleyball Workshop. 2-5pm Young Leader Young Official Award Staff at Leicester- shire and Rutland Secondary PE and Sport Conference all day. ‘Celebrating the Olympic Day’ YL following school timetable. Depart Loughborough 4pm Arrive Heathrow W3105 Terminal 4 Drive to Loughborough YL at Field House (Students boarding accommodation) 7pm Staff at Governors sub committee meeting; Teaching and Learning. YL at Field House. 7pm Staff evening meal with Principal John Smith. YL at Field House.Depart Heathrow 2155 W3106 Terminal 4 International Inspirations visit:Programme

A chance to meet up with my e pal! Ross and Sakinah meet up with e pals Hussaini and Chime before the start of the Volleyball workshops.

So why Sitting Volleyball? Primarily aimed at people with a disability but anyone can play the game. The sport really took off in England in Suggested as a focus sport for development by the II leaders in Federal Government College (FGC), Sokoto. Target less active groups of children, particularly girls, and encourage them to play sport. Particularly suited to the high temperatures experienced in Sokoto. Its Inclusive; able bodied, disabled, boys and girls can all play together.

Learning the basics with Volleyball England Coaches, Steve and Gerard.

Some basic rules to get you started. all movement must be done with the backside remaining in contact with the floor. Part of the area between the shoulder blades and the bottom must be in contact with the floor when playing the ball. Played on a court similar in size to a badminton court over a low net. Play is started by hitting the ball over the net from anywhere behind the baseline. The same player continues to serve if they win the point. Play continues if the serve hits the net and goes over. When a team regains serve, players rotate positions on court to enable a different player to serve. Three touches per team. The ball must go over the net. The ball is not allowed to bounce on the floor. If the ball hits the boundary lines it is in. The team winning the rally wins a point. The first team to score 15 points wins the game. Suggested modifications to the rules. Play is started by throwing the ball over the net from anywhere behind the baseline. Unlimited touches per team before ball returned over net. The players are allowed to catch the ball above their head but cannot move once the ball is caught. The ball is allowed to bounce on the floor once during a team’s possession.

The Continental Cup at the National Volleyball Centre. A Paralympic test event for Sitting Volleyball. All the world’s top teams were present. Burleigh students were able to put their Courtside Officials training to the test. Wow! They only acted as officials for the GB vs Russia game. Russia are the current World Champions. Russia won!

The Continental Cup at the National Volleyball Centre. Ross and Lucy are our International Inspirations Ambassadors Ross as a Courtside Official, waiting patiently to retrieve balls that go out of court. Lucy as a Courtside Official, waiting for a break in play to go on and sweep the court.

Is this what we mean by a legacy? Leadership development for II students through Sitting Volleyball workshop alongside Nigerian leaders. Invited along to Paralympic test event in Sitting Volleyball to put their skills into practice. Find themselves in the role of Courtside Officials for the GB vs Russia game. On the same court is Hayley, a former student of Burleigh College who was also on the leadership programmes, is a Line Judge and performs to a standard that confirms her role as a line Judge in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Now that’s what I call an Olympic Legacy.

Sitting Volleyball during an Inclusive sports event for local schools in Loughborough. Serving to start the game Sitting cross legged doesn’t allow you to react quickly enough when the ball arrives!

The traditional Medal Ceremony Lucy presenting medals Can you spot your countries flag?

A challenge! Send me your photos of the different places you play Sitting Volleyball. Who are the people playing your game? John Heathcote Loughborough, England