The partnership will see players in the Britain's men’s squad playing 28 League games in the Dutch Pro A League under the name of Martinus for the season 2007-2008.

 

The players will be based in Amstelveen from October through to April and training daily under the direction of GB Head Coach Harry Brokking.

 

With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just five years away the British Volleyball Federation has put in place elite development programmes for its indoor, beach and sitting disciplines through the support of UK Sport.

 

The Dutch Federation (NEVOBO) has accepted this move and British Volleyball Chairman, Richard Callicott , welcomed their support.

 

He said: “We are delighted for the support from the Dutch Federation and, of course Martinus in this development.

 

"This opportunity will provide an integral boost to our London 2012 preparations.

 

"To have the support of a club with the status and history of Martinus is a huge boost to the men’s team”.

 

Sara Symington, performance programme consultant for UK Sport said:  “It is great to see British Volleyball taking an innovative approach to the development of the men’s squad.

 

"Moving the players to Holland will provide a great opportunity to accelerate the squad’s development in the coming months as they take another significant step towards London 2012.

 

"We’d like to congratulate them for spotting the opportunity and Club Martinus for helping to make it happen.”

 

Brokking,said: “This exciting partnership will allow players to build on their training together and work as a team regularly in a highly competitive environment, essential for the development of the squad at this stage”.

 

The team started a daily centre based programme based EIS Sheffield in June this year and will be based out of the venue until the move to Amstelveen in October.

 

They will then return to Sheffield in May 2008 to continue their preparations for a summer of International fixtures

 

Martinus already have experience in working alongside the developments of national programmes as the Dutch women’s team plays under the name of Dela Martinus.