Clyde Valley (Motherwell) Volleyball Club 1980 - 2024
Motherwell Volleyball Club started out 44 years ago, basically when a team of sixth year pupils in Our Lady's High School, along with a couple of members of staff, entered (and won) the Lanarkshire District Volleyball League. A series of name changes, thanks to sponsors (Alethia Travel, Whatco and Redline) the club also enjoyed a new base and highly successful spell in Taylor High School before returning 'home' to its origins in 1992. For full history see About Us
Now that the club is back home it is steadily rebuilding after the Covid enforced restrictions.
New, experienced players mean that training is more competitive and the team is better placed to
engage in friendly matches and tournaments.
Review of 2023
What a year 2023 was in terms of club milestones!
Boasting a significant increase in members for the first time in 12 years, the arrival of a handful of not only new but greatly experienced players, should set the club on a secure footing for the considerable future.
The boost in numbers also coincided with securing a new sponsor. Incredibly, that meant new club colours and strips embellished with Paintline, replacing our last widely recognised strip and sponsor Redline from last century!
The increase in players also allowed the team to commit to a couple of challenge matches against National League opposition, again for the first time in many decades.
After taking heart from proving tough opposition for Glasgow Mets II, our broader experience of players (not to mention three in their 60s) now offers more intensive training, which coupled with our new identity, suggests that the club’s prospects for 2024 are extremely encouraging.
Our first sponsor since 2003 and exclusively designed strips to match the corporate colours of the generous sponsor Paintline, signals a new era for the club on and off the court.
Full report @Daily Record online
Farewell & Welcome
At a time when most volleyball clubs across Scotland are strugggling to maintain players and in some cases their actual existence, MVC has managed to increase its membership.
And in no small way that is due to this website which is a source of interest and enquiry from players of all ages and abilities on a regular basis.
While historically we have been renowned for attracting players from other clubs that have folded due to lack of interest, this year we have managed to replace young blood with, if not exactly new blood, experienced players boasting a local and international background.
After watching Stanislaw Mitas, who joined his dad and brothers at the club in 2018, develop from a keen teenager to a towering spiker, we were both delighted and sad that his acceptance to study medicine at Aberdeen University left a huge gap at the club.
We wish Stas all the best in his studies and future career and confident that he will continue to play a role in the club, partuclarly as three members are now in their 60's and might seek medical advice!
Young Stas, in his final game of the season, against a former Su Raggazi select.
New Faces
Local Heroes
In the case of Stuart Miller and Jim Forrester, it was not so much a case of new faces but more of welcoming old adversaries.
As former pupils of Brannock HS, both had long been aware of the club and its association with Taylor HS. Suffice to say, in their youth they even had the distinction of playing against some of the club's current members!
After playing for a number of clubs at National League level, Stuart and Jim bring not only extensive volleyball experience but a refreshing outlook to the club.
World Wide Web
Proof that our volleyball website knows no boundaries. Our most recent member Lenka Irvine, made intial contact from her native Czech Republic, albeit in the knowledge of her intended relocation to Motherwell and joining a local club.
As well as showing an initiative and enthusiasm for renewing her dedication to the sport, Lenka's volleyball skills reflect her previous experience of playing in her country's Regional Volleyball League.
Significantly, while bringing an international dimension to the club, Lenka's arrival signals the first female member since 2003.
New strips make their debut November 2023
Old faces - New faces
OLHS 1992 -2015
Last word from a Celebrity Fan!
In a club full of comedians, the team shared a joke with a professional funny man when they caught up with Kevin Bridges in Madrid.
Renowned for his riposte the Clydebank comedian was lost for words when he was told that despite having an average age of 55 the 'boys' still 'trained' every Monday night.
Stop Press
We contacted Kevin to let him know that despite three players now in their 60s, the average age has been reduced to 52!
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