Coyle, currenthly head of sport and director of Olympic and Paralympic strategy for Sheffield, will oversee the British programme on its course to Beijing in 2008 and, even more importantly, London.

 

He was previously a player, coach and team manager of the England men's team. Coyle's volleyball event management experience is unrivalled, and includes the World University Games in 1991, several international matches and the English National Cup Finals.

 

“Having a background in volleyball and wealth of experience, Wayne is the ideal person to set the foundations for a successful British programme," said Richad Callicott, the president of British Volleyball. "British Volleyball is also actively working to recruit a team of coaches for the programme.”

 

The post is being funded from the £4.04 million awarded to the sport earlier this year by UK Sport. The extra money has already enabled British Volleyball to hold several training camps this year.

 

“I am honoured by the appointment in a sport with which I have been very closely involved," said Coyle, who will start in the New Year. "The opportunity presented to British Volleyball to compete in the Olympic Games in 2012 is one which must be grasped wholeheartedly and I relish the challenge presented.”

 

Volleyball was introduced to the Olympics in 1964, but there has been no representation by Britain before. Beach Volleyball was introduced at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and Britain was represented by Audrey Cooper and Amanda Glover, who finished ninth. Britain qualify automatically as hosts in 2012.