In a collaborative effort lead by Sheffield City Council, the team has been provided with the accommodation, hospitality, training facilities and medical support they need to successfully train in Sheffield for the London 2012 Olympic Games, after having its places confirmed by the British Olympic Association (BOA) late last year.

Audrey Cooper, Great Britain women's volleyball head coach, said: "Sheffield is such a great city with sporting facilities which really are second to none, and we are thrilled that the team can stay and train here.

"We know we'll have the very best chance of success at London 2012 with the preparation and fantastic backing we have here."

Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Growth at Sheffield City Council, said: "We were determined to do everything in our power to keep the GB women's volleyball team in Sheffield, and I am very happy that we've been successful."

Sheffield City Council has developed a partnership which sees Sheffield Hallam University providing a full suite of sports science services and accommodation, Hospitality Sheffield providing accommodation for players and staff, Claremont Hospital providing sports medicine, All Saints School and Sheffield International Venues (SIV) providing court time for training and Stagecoach Supertram providing access to travel for the players.

This unique partnership and support from organisations across the city provides the framework required for the team and has allowed them to put together a gruelling schedule of games.

In addition to volleyball, Sheffield will host three other GB Olympic sports, including boxing, table tennis and diving, as well as Paralympic table tennis, while hosting numerous individual athletes such as Jessica Ennis, the world and European heptathlon champion.

The city has also signed United States diving team, the Brazilian judo squad and the Serbian Olympic Committee for pre-Games training camps.

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