You may remember CSSC member Claire Harvey who, after a car accident left her paralysed in one leg, benefited from our Sponsorship Scheme.
In issue 43 she told us how she got into the GB Sitting Volleyball team. Here’s an update from Claire:
My world of GB Sitting Volleyball has gone from strength to strength! So much has happened in the past year. In July 2010, we took part in the World Championships in Oklahoma, USA, which was such a fabulous experience. Playing the best teams in the world was an amazing learning curve and privilege. We came 11th overall, and were awarded a bronze medal from our pool of teams. Also this year, we have competed in Finland, Holland and Germany, and hosted Canada and Holland at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire. This year is set to be just as busy, with competitions in Hungary, Holland and the Ukraine. It may not be the high life, we don’t see much beyond the airport, sports hall and hotel, but representing your country is a massive honour.
More recently, the focus has obviously switched to 2012 and earning our place at the Olympic Games! Training is intensive: all day every Monday, and nearly every other weekend, and also with my club once a week, as well as the daily personal fitness and strength training. I now have a specialist role in the team – the setter, this is the person who decides the play and sets the balls for people to hit. I like the strategy and decision making of it, and am working hard to hone the skills and precision required to do a good job for my team.
The training and travel commitments of being on the team became too much for my old job, so I have now moved into the private sector where I can work more flexibly. I miss the civil service, but am still very proud to be a CSSC member. The financial constraints of travelling to the training ground are significant, but I am determined to find a way to achieve it. 2012 is less than a year away, and although I don’t know yet if I will get there, I am giving it 100% effort and commitment.
Good luck Claire, and keep us posted! |
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