Ben Hall from Salisbury was selected for the Great Britain sitting volleyball team as they prepared for the first international tournament to take place in the UK since London 2012 Paralympics.
Hall, who began playing sitting volleyball after suffering from knee instability when playing rugby, had been working towards GB team selection for the ParaVolley Silver Nations League which took place in Nottingham from 19-21 May 2023.
The event will see nine teams from across Europe come together in what is a crucial tournament for Great Britain as it aims to try and secure qualification for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
On his selection, Hall said: “I am delighted to have been selected for my country in sitting volleyball once again. Having been a part of that incredible group in London 2012, it’s a great feeling to come back and represent Team GB.
“I’ve only just returned to training with GB at the beginning of this year, so it’s been an amazing journey getting back into it. As a commercial pilot for 13 years, and living in the Middle East for nine years, and now to be back in the UK training militaries and NATO, playing sitting volleyball for both my club Salisbury Spitfires and my country is a great release for me, both mentally and physically.”
He continues: “Growing up I never considered a career as a pilot, and the same can be said with sitting volleyball. But with rugby causing me knee instability, I got into sitting volleyball over 10 years ago and haven’t looked back since.
“It is such an incredible sport no matter your ability, everyone should come along and give it a go.
“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team for the Silver Nations League in Nottingham later this month and getting some wins to qualify for Paris 2024.”
Sitting volleyball is a fast and exciting sport, played sitting on the floor by men and women of all ages. It is a perfect team sport for amputees and individuals with limb difference. It is played without a prosthetic which makes the game a great leveller for people with different types and levels of impairment.
British Volleyball is always looking for new sitting volleyball players, both with and without a disability, to join local clubs and compete in the national domestic league.
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