The funding has been secured through collaborations with a range of partners with clubs, members, coaches, referees, area and regional associations all securing new money via a wide range of funding streams over the past 18 months.

Of all grant applications made by members and associates of Volleyball England, 98 per cent were successful, according to a statement from the organisation.

One of the biggest grants to a single organisation went to Oxford Volleyball Club.

They gained £57,890 ($90,450/€73,600) of National Lottery funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund to build Oxford's first two beach volleyball courts.

"We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can now bring beach volleyball to Oxford," said Jonathan Williams, Oxford Volleyball Club chairman.

"This project, which will take a small area of Council-owned land and turn it into a beach volleyball facility, promises to make beach volleyball accessible to the Oxfordshire community.

"We hope to attract new players to this exciting sport, fulfilling the potential of the London 2012 Olympic legacy".

Great Britain made just their second Olympic appearance in volleyball at London 2012 ©Getty Images



The grant success rate, according to Volleyball England, shows the popularity of the sport in the country, and shows the extent to which Sport England and other partners are willing to help volleyball as a sport and to contribute to our progress.

"I would like to sincerely thank all external partners who have generously contributed funding to this Million Pound Milestone, volleyball is definitely on the agenda of our partners and it shows, you are willing to invest in our fast growing sport," said Lisa Wainwright, chief executive of Volleyball England.

Great Britain has competed just twice in volleyball at the Olympic Games, once at beach volleyball's Olympic debut in 1996 and again at London 2012.

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