That Volleyball Guy

Any feedback? Send me a message In this episode of The Heritage Show, Luke sits down with Glynn Archibald for a wide-ranging conversation about volleyball, refereeing, mentorship and a life shaped by the sport.Glynn takes us right back to the beginning, growing up in St Lucia, the culture around volleyball there, and how his journey later took him to St Kitts, where coaching became another part of his story.He reflects on moving to the UK, his playing days with a local club in Watford, and the opportunity that eventually led him into refereeing.From there, the conversation explores the art of being a great referee — not simply knowing the rules, but managing the game, communicating with coaches, understanding people, and allowing the entertainment and flow of the match to come through.Glynn also shares how he became involved in sitting volleyball, his development as an international referee and referee delegate, and his experiences at Paralympic Games both on court and in senior officiating roles.One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation is mentorship. Glynn speaks passionately about supporting and developing other referees, including having the privilege of mentoring Katarina Cepinova, who went on to become the first female international referee from the UK.Full of stories, insight and reflections from decades within the sport, this is a conversation with someone who has made a lasting impact on volleyball both on and beyond the court.A brilliant episode with a hugely respected official, mentor and, above all, a genuinely decent human being.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this episode of The Heritage Show, we sit down with Geoff Allen to explore almost 60 years of playing, coaching, developing and leading within English volleyball.Geoff began coaching at just 17 years old before founding Wessex Volleyball Club in 1976. Fifty years later, the club is still going strong, having supported thousands of players and developed more than 100 athletes who went on to represent England or Great Britain.An FIVB Level 3 coach, Geoff has worked across almost every level of the game, from mini-volleyball and junior development to National League, regional and England programmes. He also spent 39 years as a Volleyball England Staff Coach tutor and later served the organisation as a Director, President and Chairman.Geoff reflects on building Wessex alongside his wife, Lynn, the challenges of sustaining a successful club, developing players and coaches, and creating something that can continue beyond its founders.We also explore who holds responsibility for growing volleyball in England, what the sport still needs to do better, the biggest lessons Geoff has learned, and what volleyball has given him in return.A conversation about coaching, commitment, community and an extraordinary volleyball legacy.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this episode of Digging Deeper, I’m joined by Alex Porter, one of the most influential figures in English volleyball.Alex’s journey through the sport is hard to sum up in just one role. He has captained Team GB, played overseas in Sweden and Austria, coached, led clubs, launched programmes, organised camps, supported athletes into university opportunities, and now plays a key role in shaping the future of indoor volleyball as Volleyball England’s Indoor Performance Director.But what really stands out about Alex is that he has always been a builder.He has built teams, clubs, cultures, programmes, pathways and opportunities. From helping grow Tendring Volleyball Club from one team to nine, to launching Essex Rebels and contributing to major success across NVL, Super League, BUCS and student volleyball, Alex has consistently shown what is possible when ambition, people and long-term thinking come together.In this conversation, we dig deeper into Alex’s early journey in volleyball, his experiences as a player and leader, his move into coaching, the development of Essex Rebels, the lessons he has learned from building successful environments, and his new role with Volleyball England.We also explore what he sees as the biggest opportunities for indoor volleyball in England, why player and coach pathways matter, and what needs to happen next if the sport is going to continue to grow.Alex brings so many stories, insights and reflections from a life in the game. His commitment to volleyball, his understanding of people, and his willingness to do things differently really come through in this episode.A brilliant conversation with someone who has given so much to the sport, and is still helping build what comes next.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this episode of The Heritage Show, we sit down with Janet Inman to explore a remarkable life in volleyball — one shaped by leadership, service, vision and a deep commitment to people.Janet shares how her journey first began at an all-girls school, where volleyball gave her the opportunity to compete against a local boys’ school — a connection that would later lead to meeting her now husband. From there, her love for the sport grew through college, club volleyball and into coaching, where she was influenced by some of the people who helped shape her own style, standards and approach.We explore Janet’s evolution from player and coach into local, regional and national leadership roles, including her long-standing contribution as Chair of Lincolnshire Volleyball Association. Throughout the conversation, it becomes clear that Janet has a natural ability to bring people with her, build trust and step forward when the sport needs leadership.Janet reflects on her time with Volleyball England, including her work on the Whole Sport Plan and the safeguarding standards that helped position volleyball as a model of good practice for other sports — all while working full-time in education.She also shares what it was like to become CEO of Volleyball England at a challenging time, when trust in the sport’s leadership needed to be rebuilt. Janet talks openly about making tough decisions, working incredibly hard, and helping to steady the organisation so it could move forward.We also discuss her role in helping secure Beach Volleyball’s place at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, as well as her ongoing work with the Volleyball England Foundation, supporting grassroots volleyball, inclusion, sitting volleyball, club development and access to the sport.This is a conversation about leadership, volunteering, legacy and using your talents in service of something bigger.Janet is no-nonsense, direct, passionate and deeply committed to the sport. Her belief is simple: if you have a talent, you should use it — and this episode shows just how powerfully she has lived by that.A true volleyball legacy, and a conversation you don’t want to miss.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this episode of Digging Deeper, I’m joined by Katarina Cepinova for a brilliant conversation about her remarkable journey through volleyball.Katarina reflects on her early playing days, including her time playing in London and in the National League, and shares how a referee course with her best friend first opened the door into officiating. What began as something new soon became a huge part of her life, with playing becoming more social as her refereeing journey gathered momentum.We talk about her development through the referee pathway, including her first NVL match experience and how a difficult encounter with a coach helped shape her resilience, confidence and determination. Katarina also shares her experiences at London 2012 as a dual official, working as a line judge and scorer — a key moment that inspired her to aim high and ultimately become England’s first female international indoor referee.This episode also explores the art of refereeing — moving from simply knowing the rules to learning how to manage the game, the people and the pressure that comes with it. We discuss referee development, the skills required to officiate well, and Katarina’s thoughts on how officials can be better supported.Katarina also talks about HerCall, the Volleyball England initiative she launched to support and develop female officials, helping build confidence, connection and a stronger support network for women in refereeing.More than anything, this is a conversation about someone who truly loves the game. Katarina speaks openly about the challenges she has faced, but also about the joy volleyball has brought to her life. She is a real ambassador for the sport, and her story is one of passion, perseverance and impact.A really powerful episode — don’t miss it.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this latest edition of The Heritage Show, in partnership with Volleyball England, I’m joined by Ron Richards for a brilliant conversation that journeys through more than six decades of volleyball history.Ron reflects on his early days of discovering the sport in the 1960s, what volleyball looked like in those formative years, and how the game began to evolve through the 1970s and 1980s as more sports halls became available across the country. We talk about his playing days, competing with Exeter University, and the early growth of the National Volleyball League.The conversation then moves into Ron’s huge contribution to junior development. As a teacher, he created opportunities for young people to play, setting up school and club programmes and building successful junior tournaments that gave countless players their start in the sport. We also explore his incredible impact in the South West, where he has been a tireless advocate for volleyball — supporting clubs to grow, strengthening the regional game, and helping drive junior development, including the creation of the mini volleyball Grand Prix series in the 1990s, which helped produce some of the country’s best players.Ron also shares his thoughts on the power of volunteers in volleyball, the importance of creating club environments that feel like family, and why that sense of community matters so much in sustaining the sport.From there, we move onto his national contribution — including his time as Vice President of the English Volleyball Association and his experiences as Head of Delegation for national and club teams travelling abroad. He shares fascinating stories from those trips, including memorable experiences in the Soviet Union.We also talk about Ron’s role in establishing the Whitefield Volleyball Tournament, which grew into one of the most successful and well-loved grass tournaments in the country, and why its legacy continues to this day.This is a fantastic conversation with a truly special man — a gentleman with a huge heart for volleyball, whose dedication to the game is remarkable. Having served as Secretary of South West Volleyball for over 50 years, Ron’s contribution to the sport is nothing short of extraordinary.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this episode of Digging Deeper, I’m joined by Peter Bakare — a true mindset athlete with an incredible story of resilience, effort, and belief.Peter shares his journey into volleyball, only picking up the sport at 18 years old, and his extraordinary four-year mission to go from beginner to representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. An ex-basketball player with relentless drive, Peter talks openly about the work he had to put in off the court — learning footwork, refining movement, and closing the gap through sheer effort.He reflects honestly on the challenges of not coming from a high-income background, the mindset required to keep going, and the transformative power of one small word: YET.Peter also shares his experience of playing professional volleyball in Holland, his determination to earn court time, and how learning from world-class players shaped both his performance and perspective. He then takes us inside the magic of London 2012 — competing just around the corner from where he grew up, and the unforgettable moment of his mum watching her first ever volleyball match… at the Olympic Games.The conversation then goes deeper, as Peter opens up about the post-Olympic comedown, struggles with identity, and the impact on his mental health. He shares how the encouragement of his mum led him back to university and towards building a future beyond elite sport.Today, Peter runs NutriTroops, an organisation dedicated to helping young people live active, healthy lifestyles — a mission rooted deeply in his own journey and values.This is a truly inspiring conversation with a great human — big heart, huge drive, and a powerful reminder that who you become matters just as much as what you achieve.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message We kick off 2026 with an incredible conversation with Paralympian Jodi Hill — a real sportsperson with a story of grit, courage and rediscovery. After a serious accident in 2001, Jodi spent years battling pain until she chose to have her leg amputated in 2010, a decision she describes as finally finding freedom. Just three months later she stepped into a GB sitting volleyball taster session in Roehampton, and only two years after that she found herself competing on the world stage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.Jodi talks openly about rebuilding her identity in sport, the power of community within sitting volleyball, and why inclusion and visibility matter — especially for women and disabled athletes. She shares stories from competing, playing for the Panthers, and how she is now championing disability sport in new ways (including taking up ice hockey). Jodi’s honesty, humour and resilience make this an inspiring listen for anyone facing adversity or wrestling with who they can be.Of course, we finish the episode with a round of This or That, and Jodi shares her word for 2026 — the perfect note to start the year on.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message In this powerful Disability History Month special, we dig deeper with Justin Phillips — GB Women’s Sitting Volleyball Head Coach, former Paralympian, and an inspirational figure whose journey in sport began with a life-changing taster session in his late teens.A double amputee who had tried multiple sports growing up, Justin describes the exact moment he hit the sitting volleyball court for the first time — and how he was instantly hooked. What followed was an incredible progression from complete beginner to representing Great Britain on the world stage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.Justin opens up about the highs of playing for his country, the stories from inside the Games Village, and the surprising reality of how his team missed the opening ceremony due to intense preparation. He then courageously shares the other side of the Paralympic experience — the emotional crash that came afterwards, the challenges to his mental health, and the difficult period of rediscovering identity and purpose.From that place came growth. Justin takes us through his evolution from athlete to coach, the people who shaped him, and how he ultimately became Head Coach of the GB Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team. He speaks openly about the barriers facing disability sport, the progress still needed, and his big ambitions for the women’s programme.This episode is honest, vulnerable, inspiring — and a celebration of the athletes and coaches who push disability sport forward. Justin Phillips is a true volleyball legend, a leader with heart, and someone whose story will stay with you long after the episode ends.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation 

Any feedback? Send me a message Think of the athlete who never stops showing up. That’s Anne Jarvis—England captain, Hall of Famer, and the nation’s most capped volleyball player—whose story blends grit, curiosity, and a fierce love for the team game. We trace her path from a sport-filled childhood to the senior squad at 18, where pressure drills, tough camps, and diverse coaching styles forged a competitor who prized precision as much as power. Anne explains how being coachable, filtering feedback, and learning to play smart compensated for not being the tallest on court, and why an elite hitter is only as good as the pass and set that come before it.Travel shaped her game and worldview: a week-long Spring Cup that mixed high-level matches with cultural immersion, a packed Turkish arena so loud she had to watch the ref’s hand to serve, and a lost-baggage saga that ended with borrowed knee pads and a win-at-all-costs mindset. She shares favorite matchups, the thrill of facing Japan, and the joy of helping Ashcombe turn close calls into championships while mentoring juniors to read, pass, and serve under pressure.At the heart of our conversation is access. Volleyball is a beautiful sport with real costs: hall time, travel, international commitments. That’s why we announce the Anne Jarvis Hardship Fund, a collaboration with Volleyball England and the Volleyball England Foundation to keep talent pathways open to committed athletes who need financial support. Anne’s vision is direct and hopeful: more matches for national teams, stronger club competition, and deeper investment in coaching education to raise standards across the country.Join us for a rich look at performance, culture, and community from someone who lived it at the highest level. If you believe talent shouldn’t depend on money—and that smarter coaching and more competitive fixtures can change everything—hit play, subscribe, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the showConnecting Through Conversation