Volleyball was one of the sports to be told that its funding would be slashed ahead of the London Games, a decision that has left the British Volleyball Federation having to juggle its priorities.

 

 

The lack of money available means that the two national sides are unable to compete in as many top-level tournaments as they would like, and Bertelli is worried that it may hinder their growth ahead of 2012.

 

She said: "The choices are made by the British Volleyball Federation and by the coaching staff.

 

"We've got a limited budget and they've got to try and spend that in the best way possible to try and make us the best that we can be."

 

In March British Volleyball was forced to let women's team coach Lorne Sawula go after they had their funding from UK Sport cut from £4.3 million to £2.2 million.

 

Bertelli said: "Choices have to be made so there are some things we can't do and that might be making a decision on what competitions we go to.

 

"Ultimately, we need to be playing the best teams but our budget will not always allow us to do that.

 

"It's disappointing but we have to get on with it.

 

"We've always been told that our job is to get on the court and to improve on a daily basis.

 

"We can't control anything that goes on outside and we have to leave that to the people who do their job to try and achieve that."