Volleyball Returns to South London venue
One of the distinctive landmarks heading into London from the south is the recreation centre with a unique red brick structure alongside Brixton railway station. Older volleyballers will recall matches there in times past but economics quickly meant that our sport was squeezed out, rarely to have featured there in recent years. We are delighted to let you know it is returning to Brixton Recreation Centre.
Little Giants VC's Çisel Ormancı has secured another venue back into use for volleyball and the club will be running a number adult and junior groups at the centre where the club has supported the renovation of the courts in collaboration with GLL/Better who manages the centre.
The expansion of Little Giants VC is one of the success stories of London volleyball over the past few years, success that continues to build the sport in the south of the capital and encourage higher standards, north, east and west as well. In addition to the upcoming brand new groups it already runs 5 school groups, 5 junior sessions and 2 adult national teams (women’s and men’) as well as junior volleyball teams (boys and girls): success recognised in a recent visit to the club by the Mayor of Lambeth. Its presence in Brixton will be seen in two new adult groups on Tuesday and Friday evenings and a junior after-school group playing on Fridays between 4.30 and 6.00 p.m. There is pleasure at the recreation centre too. Sue Robinson, GLL Community Sports Manager said, "We continue to work in partnership with Little Giants VC following the club’s successes at Clapham Leisure Centre. Launching a regular programme at Brixton will be a great addition and offer more opportunities for local residents who may not have played volleyball before”
Brixton Recreation Centre was constructed between 1974 and 1985, its distinctive architecture designed to complement a massive redevelopment of the area which, dominated by motorways, was quickly abandoned to overwhelming approval although the centre itself was very welcoming, offering the local community an array of leisure facilities.
The centre remained popular and enjoyed a £2.85 million renovation that was completed in 2008. It now offers many amazing facilities including a state of the art fitness centre, fitness studios, community gym with programmed sessions for over 55 years+, disability, women only and junior fitness, a 25m main swimming pool and teaching pool, dedicated children’s facilities for 8-15 years plus loads more for all ages and abilities. These are spread over six storeys with over 13,500m² of floor area. In November 2016 Historic England announced that it had been awarded Grade II listing for its special architectural and historic interest, Its future looks secure and volleyball looks forward to playing its part in attracting participants and contributing to the vibrant family-friendly centre.
"It is a project we’ve been working on for the past two years", Çisel told us, adding that she is delighted finally be relaunching volleyball at the centre and providing more opportunities to the local community. "We are super excited as there has been no volleyball at the venue for many, many years", she concluded. Volleyball is back now and is delighted to be part of the venture.
If you need further information, please visit www.volleyballevents.org or follow club’s Instagram page @littlegiantsvolleyball