Next season, for the first time ever, the volleyball BUCS competition will include two Premier leagues consisting of six teams each. After a long and difficult season, the men’s 1^st team qualified for the southern division with an authoritative 3-0 victory over the University of Bath. The whole club is extremely proud of being among the top squads in the country and representing excellence in sport at the University of Warwick.

The road that has led to this result began with a second place finish in the Midlands 1a league, which put the team through to the last 16 knockout round for the Championship, with the chance of qualifying for the Premier League. Unfortunately, the team suffered in the last 16 round a 3-0 defeat versus UCL, preventing the team from reaching the final 8 stage. The boys, however, did not get demoralized and kept training with the aim of getting to the Premier League. The performance of the team in the key match with Bath was flawless, with all the team players actively contributing to the result.

The team captain Manuele Leonelli underlines the importance of this achievement saying, “The qualification to the Premier League was one of the main objectives of the season. We are now looking forward to other great results against the top teams in this sport”. Also Head Coach Freddie Fairbairn is very satisfied with the outcome of the season and shares the secrets of this success. “The team’s success in reaching the Southern Premier League is due to the tireless effort and determination of the entire squad, striving to improve personally and as a squad towards a common goal.'

The team for this season has been partnered with the men’s team of the Coventry & Warwick Riga Volleyball Club, which plays in the Volleyball Super 8 (top League of volleyball in England). This partnership has given opportunities to many players of the University Club to experience the highest level of volleyball in the country. The team is also a Gold member of the Performance Sport Program in the University and includes two sport scholarship holders. The great support received from this program, together with the partnership, has made this achievement possible.