Our Story
Although we only started in 2016, we continue to attract new players and we thought it would be a good idea to explain where how we got here.
An idea is born
In 2012, Paul Kaerger was asked to manage an outdoor volleyball court as part of Leicester Tiger's season-opening festivities. Dozens of kids came along to try out volleyball and, towards the end of the day, someone asked Paul whether he could think of a club where his 12 year old daughter could play volleyball. Apart from the excellent work that Hermitage were doing, Paul realised there was nowhere in the city that focussed on encouraging girls and women to play.
In 2012, Paul Kaerger was asked to manage an outdoor volleyball court as part of Leicester Tiger's season-opening festivities. Dozens of kids came along to try out volleyball and, towards the end of the day, someone asked Paul whether he could think of a club where his 12 year old daughter could play volleyball. Apart from the excellent work that Hermitage were doing, Paul realised there was nowhere in the city that focussed on encouraging girls and women to play.
Partners in crime
That conversation stuck with Paul for a long while and, eventually, he found someone to share his idea with. Despite her tender years, Sarah Booth has played volleyball for ages and is phenomenally passionate about the sport. At De Montfort University, Sarah played, was captain, was a HEVO and became club chairperson.
Paul met up with Sarah in February 2016 to explain that he felt there was a need for a women's volleyball club in Leicester ... a city famed for its diversity and inclusivity. Sarah loved the idea and a plan was hatched.
That conversation stuck with Paul for a long while and, eventually, he found someone to share his idea with. Despite her tender years, Sarah Booth has played volleyball for ages and is phenomenally passionate about the sport. At De Montfort University, Sarah played, was captain, was a HEVO and became club chairperson.
Paul met up with Sarah in February 2016 to explain that he felt there was a need for a women's volleyball club in Leicester ... a city famed for its diversity and inclusivity. Sarah loved the idea and a plan was hatched.
Making it happen
Throughout the spring and summer, Paul and Sarah worked hard to make the club become a reality. Ian Pointon was in charge of club development grants at Volleyball England and was instrumental in helping the nascent club attract a grant from Sport England which paid for the equipment, court hire and team kit. Paul and Sarah visited the then brand new Leicester Community Sports Arena (now Leicester Morningside Arena) and gained agreement for Friday evening training slots. Using Facebook, leaflets and word of mouth, they began to generate some interest. During the summer, we had an outdoor session to attract some new players, then, in September 2016, Leicester Athena had its first training session and 8 girls/women turned up!
Throughout the spring and summer, Paul and Sarah worked hard to make the club become a reality. Ian Pointon was in charge of club development grants at Volleyball England and was instrumental in helping the nascent club attract a grant from Sport England which paid for the equipment, court hire and team kit. Paul and Sarah visited the then brand new Leicester Community Sports Arena (now Leicester Morningside Arena) and gained agreement for Friday evening training slots. Using Facebook, leaflets and word of mouth, they began to generate some interest. During the summer, we had an outdoor session to attract some new players, then, in September 2016, Leicester Athena had its first training session and 8 girls/women turned up!
First Steps (2016-17)
Our plan had always been to enter a team into the Regional League but, over the next few weeks, more and more women turned up and we decided to have 2 teams, one in the Leicestershire league and one in the East Midlands league.
Our first taste of competition was the local league autumn tournament held in Whitwick where we finished as winners of the women's competition.
Then, after a couple of months of hard work and training, it was time for Leicester Athena to play their first ever match against Nottingham Rockets in the East Midlands league. From the very first points, it was clear that Athena had attracted a bunch of great players who got on well, gelled as a team and had a bagful of skill. That first season was a great success at regional league level with Athena coming a very close third. The local league team competed well but it was difficult to get a settled side with people joining the club all the time.
Our plan had always been to enter a team into the Regional League but, over the next few weeks, more and more women turned up and we decided to have 2 teams, one in the Leicestershire league and one in the East Midlands league.
Our first taste of competition was the local league autumn tournament held in Whitwick where we finished as winners of the women's competition.
Then, after a couple of months of hard work and training, it was time for Leicester Athena to play their first ever match against Nottingham Rockets in the East Midlands league. From the very first points, it was clear that Athena had attracted a bunch of great players who got on well, gelled as a team and had a bagful of skill. That first season was a great success at regional league level with Athena coming a very close third. The local league team competed well but it was difficult to get a settled side with people joining the club all the time.
More than volleyball
From the outset, it was also clear that this was going to be more than just a chance for people to get together and play volleyball. After Friday night training, we would often go to Gelato Village in the city centre for ice cream and waffles, We shared birthdays, had nights out and became friends. We even had our first wedding with Alysia marrying her true love Shane and quite a few of the Athena "bunnies"* were invited to the beautiful ceremony. It was always our dream to create a great buzz and the friendships people have made here will last a very long time.
We also acquired a mascot and PanPan** has been with us to almost every regional and national league match. Such dedication, PanPan.
From the outset, it was also clear that this was going to be more than just a chance for people to get together and play volleyball. After Friday night training, we would often go to Gelato Village in the city centre for ice cream and waffles, We shared birthdays, had nights out and became friends. We even had our first wedding with Alysia marrying her true love Shane and quite a few of the Athena "bunnies"* were invited to the beautiful ceremony. It was always our dream to create a great buzz and the friendships people have made here will last a very long time.
We also acquired a mascot and PanPan** has been with us to almost every regional and national league match. Such dedication, PanPan.
Season Two (2017-18)
During the summer of 2017, Athena competed in their first summer tournament in Ashcombe and a few players took advantage of the beach facilities at Loughborough University. At the Autumn tournament, Athena managed to field 2 teams and came first and third in the women's competition.
Once again, Athena fielded two teams, in the local and regional league. Despite losing three awesome people in Valentina, Elise and Kinga, Athena showed how they had developed as a team and won the regional league in only their second attempt. Once more the local league team struggled to create a consistent team due to sheer numbers but it was clear that a few of the local league players were really developing fast and people such as Julia, Erin and Liza made their debuts for the regional league team.
To underline how close this group is, some of the regional league squad went to Rome to visit Valentina, a big group of us took part in Toughmudda to raise funds for the club and for charity and we played on grass and sand all summer long.
During the summer of 2017, Athena competed in their first summer tournament in Ashcombe and a few players took advantage of the beach facilities at Loughborough University. At the Autumn tournament, Athena managed to field 2 teams and came first and third in the women's competition.
Once again, Athena fielded two teams, in the local and regional league. Despite losing three awesome people in Valentina, Elise and Kinga, Athena showed how they had developed as a team and won the regional league in only their second attempt. Once more the local league team struggled to create a consistent team due to sheer numbers but it was clear that a few of the local league players were really developing fast and people such as Julia, Erin and Liza made their debuts for the regional league team.
To underline how close this group is, some of the regional league squad went to Rome to visit Valentina, a big group of us took part in Toughmudda to raise funds for the club and for charity and we played on grass and sand all summer long.
A celebration
Two years in and it has been an amazing ride.
Starting a sports club up from scratch has taken a lot of work and determination, but the passion showed by everyone who has been involved has been amazing.
Click here to read about the next part of our story...
Two years in and it has been an amazing ride.
Starting a sports club up from scratch has taken a lot of work and determination, but the passion showed by everyone who has been involved has been amazing.
Click here to read about the next part of our story...
* "bunnies" ... our affectionate name for ourselves, it came from a comment from Paul that they were moving like bunnies across the court.
** PanPan is our official mascot, PanPan being a bunny and being Thumper in French.
** PanPan is our official mascot, PanPan being a bunny and being Thumper in French.