Swindon Reds Volleyball club is a club going from strength to strength.

Having been set up in 2016, they recently claimed the Ladies & Junior Wiltshire league title in April 2019.

Swindon Reds B team also became Wiltshire league champions for Division Two.

“Last season was one of the most successful years we’ve had,” said Sylvie Darrieumerlou, captain of the ladies team.

“I think this is the first time a volley ball team from Swindon has reached such a high level,” she added.

The club was set up by a group of Polish friends, who wanted to play the sport in Swindon.

“It’s a very popular sport in Poland,” added Sylvie. “But isn’t played as much in the UK.

“Over the years, with the Olympics in 2012, the sport has become a lot more popular. It can be played on the beach or indoors. We have grown from 12 players originally to just under 30 now,” she added.

Membership costs £20 a month and the club boasts ladies, mens and mixed teams which currently train at Abbey Park secondary school.

This week they have also started a junior team for anyone under 18 which will train at St Joseph’s Catholic School.

“We don’t have a minimum age for this but children under nine or ten probably won’t have the hand eye co-ordination or speed to keep up with the rest of the team,” said Sylvie.

Members of the club are taken from all walks of life, ages and all nationalities.

Sylvie continued: “The age group goes from 20 to 45. Although some of the club is at quite a high standard we do also have our second team, and if we get enough interest we are debating starting a third team.

“So there we are a club for everyone, of all abilities and ages,” she added.

The season starts in October, and the teams will usually play 18 matches over 18 weeks, finishing around May.

Sylvie said: “Volleyball is just a great sport that anyone can get involved in.

“It’s a good team sport, it develops your hand eye co-ordination and you get a great cardio work out from constantly jumping and diving for the ball. And you can play it competitively or informally.”