The agreement between Sheffield City Council, members of the Sheffield Lighting the Flame partnership, Sheffield International Venues (SIV) and the British Volleyball Federation (BVF) also ensures that several international matches and tournaments will be hosted in the city over the coming years.
 
Since 2007, when Britisy Volleyball based itself at the English Institute of Sport, more than 17 international volleyball teams have visited the city and a total of 23 European League, European Championship and World Championship matches have been played.
 
Financially the Sheffield economy has benefited from over £1 million of the programme’s budget being directly spent in Sheffield on accommodation, events, travel and equipment.
 
On May 15, 2010, Sheffield is due to host a European Volleyball Championships fixture, which will see Britain's men’s team play Azerbaijan English Institute of Sport (EIS).
 
Sheffield will also host the European Women's Volleyball Championships second round pool games featuring Britain, Israel, Slovakia and Ukraine over the weekend of May 28-30 at Pond Forge International Swimming Centre.

Sylvia Dunkley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Sheffield City Council said: "The Great Britain volleyball programme is a major part of Sheffield ’s sporting economy.

"We were delighted when the BVF decided to base their top athletes here in 2007 and we’re very pleased to be able to continue that partnership in the lead up to London 2012.

"Volleyball is a sport that is played across the world and by hosting international matches such as the European Championships next May we have the opportunity to display our city to athletes from across Europe .

"GB Volleyball already has a good record of working with local Sheffield schools and the Sheffield Volleyball Club is helping to increase the numbers of people playing the sport. 

"We're hopeful that this new agreement, that will see GB Volleyball act as an advocate for Sheffield with England Volleyball, will mean there are even more opportunities for local people in Sheffield to play this sport."

Richard Callicott, BVF President, said: "The British Volleyball Federation is proud to call Sheffield home for our Great Britain men’s and women’s Performance programmes.

"The progress we have made with both  our men’s and women’s teams is going well and is clearly on track as we approach the Olympic Games.
 
"The support we have had from Sheffield City Council and Sheffield International Venues is invaluable in producing the British teams for London 2012." 


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