Our Story - continued
Stepping Up (2018-19)
In the 2017-18 season, the regional league squad entered into the National Cup and lost a very close match to Ashfield Vipers, but it showed that this group of players could compete at the national league level. So, for 2018-19, we entered a team into the National League Division 3c. Many of last year's local league team made the transition to regional league and we entered a team into the local league ... THREE teams providing a pathway for players to develop and grow.
Led by Gordon MacDonald's inspirational coaching, the NVL squad not only proved they belonged in the National League, they stormed to victory, winning the league and getting promted to Division 2c.
2018-19 also saw the roll out of our new kit design. The Greek inspired design would soon become a firm favourite across all the squads.
The summer of 2019 also saw Leicester Athena organise their first tournament. Twelve teams came from across the East Midlands to play a one day tournament in August. It was a huge success and something we hope will become a regular occurrence.
In the 2017-18 season, the regional league squad entered into the National Cup and lost a very close match to Ashfield Vipers, but it showed that this group of players could compete at the national league level. So, for 2018-19, we entered a team into the National League Division 3c. Many of last year's local league team made the transition to regional league and we entered a team into the local league ... THREE teams providing a pathway for players to develop and grow.
Led by Gordon MacDonald's inspirational coaching, the NVL squad not only proved they belonged in the National League, they stormed to victory, winning the league and getting promted to Division 2c.
2018-19 also saw the roll out of our new kit design. The Greek inspired design would soon become a firm favourite across all the squads.
The summer of 2019 also saw Leicester Athena organise their first tournament. Twelve teams came from across the East Midlands to play a one day tournament in August. It was a huge success and something we hope will become a regular occurrence.
The rise of the juniors (2019-20)
As the NVL squad consolidated its position in Division 2 with a very solid mid-table finish, elsewhere, a new phase was beginning.
Athena has always had juniors playing alongside our adults. Players such as Julia, Erin and Nikki have proven that age is no barrier to breaking through, but now we began to focus on developing young players with our very own junior section. By the time that COVID cancelled the 2019-20, we had nearly 20 girls aged 11-17 training in our junior sessions at the Morningside Arena.
The local league team is now well-established. The women who play in the local league have either just started playing or have not played for a very long time, but their confidence and ability grew and grew throughout the year and, although they did not win many matches, expressing Paul's philosophy about how to play the game, they played really neat and accurate volleyball.
The regional league team also grew into the season to finish the curtailed season a very creditable second. In a season of highs and lows, on their day, Athena frightened their opposition with a combination of tenacity and raw attacking power.
Athena now had three teams and a junior section. The club had featured on Radio Leicester, in a local magazine and in Volleyball England's own newsletter.
As the NVL squad consolidated its position in Division 2 with a very solid mid-table finish, elsewhere, a new phase was beginning.
Athena has always had juniors playing alongside our adults. Players such as Julia, Erin and Nikki have proven that age is no barrier to breaking through, but now we began to focus on developing young players with our very own junior section. By the time that COVID cancelled the 2019-20, we had nearly 20 girls aged 11-17 training in our junior sessions at the Morningside Arena.
The local league team is now well-established. The women who play in the local league have either just started playing or have not played for a very long time, but their confidence and ability grew and grew throughout the year and, although they did not win many matches, expressing Paul's philosophy about how to play the game, they played really neat and accurate volleyball.
The regional league team also grew into the season to finish the curtailed season a very creditable second. In a season of highs and lows, on their day, Athena frightened their opposition with a combination of tenacity and raw attacking power.
Athena now had three teams and a junior section. The club had featured on Radio Leicester, in a local magazine and in Volleyball England's own newsletter.
Sticking together
We feel proud to have created a volleyball family ...
... The guy who asked Paul about his 12-year old daughter ... he coached the national league team for 2 seasons and his daughter played for us for four years, reaching the for the regional league team before heading off to university.
... Amanda turned up for our first outdoor session on Bede Park in August 2016 and continued to play for us for four years, playing in both local and regional league,
... Sam turned up for our first ever training session at the Arena and continues to play regional league for us. She is also our safeguarding officer.
... Of the original regional league sqaud from 2016, Sarah, Kristy, Alysia still play and are committee members too.
We have a stable committee drawn from players who oversee the finances, player engagement, social events, fixtures, university liaison and safeguarding. Sarah and Petra coach the regional league squad, Charlie does a huge amount behind the scenes and also referees matches. We now have over 40 players playing in four squads ... it has been a fabulous journey but it has only just started.
We feel proud to have created a volleyball family ...
... The guy who asked Paul about his 12-year old daughter ... he coached the national league team for 2 seasons and his daughter played for us for four years, reaching the for the regional league team before heading off to university.
... Amanda turned up for our first outdoor session on Bede Park in August 2016 and continued to play for us for four years, playing in both local and regional league,
... Sam turned up for our first ever training session at the Arena and continues to play regional league for us. She is also our safeguarding officer.
... Of the original regional league sqaud from 2016, Sarah, Kristy, Alysia still play and are committee members too.
We have a stable committee drawn from players who oversee the finances, player engagement, social events, fixtures, university liaison and safeguarding. Sarah and Petra coach the regional league squad, Charlie does a huge amount behind the scenes and also referees matches. We now have over 40 players playing in four squads ... it has been a fabulous journey but it has only just started.
One last thing, Paul and Sarah wants to thank you all for sharing in our passion ... you have made this the club it is today and long may that continue.