TRIUMPH. Angel Beckford and Angelos Mandilaris- the captains of the female and male Wessex/LeAF U18 teams- who scored a double when their teams won the National Volleyball Cup finals.
Bournemouth students from the LeAF Studio pulled off the double when both their male and female U18s volleyball squads won national cup finals.
Teaming up with Wessex Volleyball – the joint Wessex/LeAF teams – were crowned national champions following their triumphs in the Volleyball England-run competition held in Kettering.
The boys’ game featured one of the longest, on-going rivalries in English junior volleyball as Wessex/LeAF took on their nemesis Boswells from Essex.
TRIUMPH. The Wessex/LeAF U18 boys team who won the National Volleyball Cup finals.
Both teams have battled it out on two of the three previous U18 cup finals, with Boswells beating Wessex on both occasions.
But this time Wessex/LeAF got their revenge – beating Boswells handsomely 3-0.
And the girls were not to be outshone. They took on Devon’s Beach Academy in the final and won three sets to one.
TRIUMPH. The Wessex/LeAF U18 girls’ team – who won the National Volleyball Cup finals.
Executive principal of the LeAF Academy, Gill Blanshard, said: “We are delighted and proud that students from LeAF Studio are national volleyball champions.
“They are an incredibly talented bunch, with some of them already playing at international level for England.
“I am sure there are more successes ahead of them.”
Both teams have benefitted from top level coaching from LeAF Studio head of volleyball and former New Zealand beach volleyball player Kirk Pitman.
Kirk, who has also coached the England beach volleyball team, said: “It has been an honour to coach such talented young athletes.
“Their dedication and commitment, along with the support from their parents, the school and other coaches, has made this achievement possible.
“What a fantastic way of finishing their junior careers – on a high note.”
LeAF Studio is part of the LeAF Academy and is for elite athletes and performers aged 13-19.
At LeAF Studio these talented students received coaching from national sports stars and performers, alongside their academic teachings.
It is home to the only indoor beach volleyball training centre in the country and both Team GB and Volleyball England players train here.
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