Spikers wins London Premier League 2010
Gay volleyball club win the 2010 London Premier-League in Volleyball.
Not a single match lost from its 12 league games. This is a stunning result for London Spikers Volleyball Club (LSVC). It was a clean sweep in this seasons London Premier league for the UK’s only established gay mens volleyball club.
Taking the place as best volleyball club in London comes as London Spikers enters its 15th year. The club started as a casual drop-in session for gay men in 1995 and now has near 100 active members enjoying its many organised competitive and recreational volleyball sessions.
The club is also a model of multinational London with players from all around the world. This season’s winning premier team has players from the UK, Turkey, Brazil, China, Slovakia, Sweden, Japan, Italy, Croatia & Malta.
The Spiker Team Rep (Yat Ng) & Team Setter (Taku Yamamoto) were on hand recently to receive the 2009/10 Season - Premier League Trophy from Chair of London Volleyball Association – Charlie Orton. (Photo attached).
The team also illustrates how the club has moved on. At the start, the club was created solely for gay men who had a natural need to play sport in a welcoming setting. Today London Spikers has grown from being first and foremost a club promoting the open inclusion of gay sportsmen, to now having players that experience us as a Straight-Friendly club. This mix is also reflected within the winning team.
Anthony Alexis – Club President, native Londoner and Premier Team member emphasised that, “this years success is a testament to our growing a very positive and unique vibe within the club. There is great teamwork, both on and off court.
The easy and natural collaboration between gay and straight players made for a united enjoyable team who held a winning focus. There are gay players today in many established clubs, who are respected equally and are happily playing at elite level within their teams. Our club has led the way in restoring gay sportsmen to their rightful place, as equally valuable team members. Its clear that fair opportunity and valuing diversity brings strength to a team, and clearly the rewards of success soon follows. I know that we represent the arrival of the future of all teams in all sports.”
The club is well placed to continue to participate in high level volleyball in the UK. This team also won the Premier League in the 2008 season and reached the final in the 2008 & 2009 National Regional Championships, very narrowly missing winning the Cup.
London Spikers has a supportive home base at the Bethnal Green Technology College, which has 3 volleyball courts and is London’s foremost centre for London and Regional volleyball. (http://www.bgtc.org.uk). The club is an active member of the London Volleyball Association http://www.londonvolleyball.org.uk and is a warmly welcomed member of the national volleyball body, Volleyball England (VE) http://www.volleyballengland.org
What did the Club President think has been the club’s main achievement over the years ?, “I would have to say that it has been the clubs unique ability to introduce the team sport of volleyball into the lives of gay men who would otherwise not be involved in Sport. The past has held back potential new players, and todays future demonstrates that this will not happen again. Volleyball is a skilful technical fun team sport that anyone can learn and enjoy at any level, and we will continue to honour the sport by sharing the healthy values that it creates within the lives of all our existing and future players”.
Main Contact : Anthony Alexis (President) – currently abroad, but email via .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), and he will be very happy to phone/reply at any time.
London Spikers Volleyball Club – Further Info
• Link to LVA Premier League Results 2009/10 http://www.londonvolleyball.org.uk/modules/news/index.php?storytopic=3
• Link to LVA match commentary on Spikers vs Lynxs (last seasons) League winners http://www.londonvolleyball.org.uk/modules/news/article.php?storyid=337
• In October this year, the club will celebrate its 15th birthday anniversary.
• The club began in October 1995 after its founder Robbie Lagonsin, placed an advert in the gay press to play fun volleyball on Sundays in Victoria.
• The club has since grown and is now the home of more than 100 players. The club is represented within five skill levels and has four teams competing in the London League. Spikers Premier team, is accompanied by PowerBall in Division1, and also Fireball & Thunderball teams in Division 2.
• Our Beginners Team – Rockets often play friendly matches here and abroad.
• The Club will host its 6th annual International Volleyball Tournament in October each year. Called “LIVE” it attracts gay volleyball players/teams/clubs from around Europe - and last year also from Canada - for a weekend of volleyball in London. Find out about LIVE2009 on http://www.londonspikers.org/index.php/live/
• General Club info on http://www.londonspikers.org
From Back Top Left: Yat(Hong Kong), Taku(Japan), Robson(Brazil), Marcelo(Brazil), Joachim(Swede/Coach), Janko(Croatian) From Bottom Left: David(Malta), Anthony(UK/President), Junior(Brazil), Henry(Uk), Mutlu(Turkey), Nicola(Italy).
Spikers Team at their Final Winning Match vs ULU – Season 2009/10.
Ceremony held on Saturday 27th June 2010.
Charlie Orton (Centre) Chair of London Volleyball Association presenting the LVA Premier League Trophy to
Taku Yamamoto (Team Captain/Setter) on Right, &
Yat Ng (Team Outside Attack Hitter) on Left.