"We will be up against high quality opposition, but we have played many of these teams before and done well," said Cooper, who represented Britain at beach volleyball in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

"We are ready – absolutely 100 per cent ready.

"I think we are ready to be the surprise of the Games."

The team will have to be ready given that they open their Olympic campaign at Earls Court in five days' time against the world champions, Russia.

That, according to the team captain Lynne Beattie (pictured top, on right), will be a good rather than a bad thing.

"They are certainly tough opposition to start," said the 26-year-old Glaswegian.

Audrey Cooper (holding Olympic Torch), coach of the Team GB women's volleyball team

"We have been scouting them and we think we will have some effective game plans.

"We play totally different types of games, but we think we can be the surprise package."

Asked to explain what the surprise might entail, Cooper added: "Our stretch target is to reach the quarter-finals.

"It is not going to be easy, but that would be a phenomenal achievement for a team that has never played in the Olympics before and has only been together for five to six years."

Beattie said that despite the difficulties the team had faced when their funding was cut in 2010 the team had come through – with fund-raising schemes such as a sponsored bike ride from Sheffield to London.

"We have had a lot of highs and lows in what has been a six-year journey," she said.

"The only thing we have ever wanted to do is compete at the Olympics.

"Now we are here – and that is the only thing that matters now."

Maria Bertelli, one of the team vice-captains, said the difficulties the team – which has spent the summer living together at the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue training centre in Sheffield – had experienced in getting to the Games had ultimately worked in their favour.

"We think we have become stronger because of all the obstacles we have had to face," said Bertelli, whose previous career as a footballer saw her reach the women's FA Cup final with Charlton.

"We have had to trust each other to give everything to the team.

"And that trust has given us extra confidence now we are here.

"We have also gained a lot from our recent matches against Korea."

Grace Carter represents the Team GB women's volleyball team at London 2012

There will be one final warm-up match – against China tomorrow – before the British women set their sights on the team currently at the top of the world game.

Cooper said the feeling of pride she had now surpassed that she felt as a competitor in 1996.

"Yes, 100 per cent," she said.

"To see 12 athletes reaching their potential at a home Games is absolutely amazing.

"I am bursting with pride right now."

Grace Carter, who plays professionally in France, added that there was a real opportunity for the British women to create a legacy of participation in volleyball among British youngsters by spreading the word about the chances available within the sport.

"Volleyball has professional leagues in Europe which allow women to earn a living in sport, ranging from 17 to 40-year-olds," she said.

"I don't think there are many other sports in the world that have the same opportunities, especially for women."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]