Volleyball England chief exits ahead of new funding cycle

National governing body (NGB) volleyball+England'>Volleyball England is on the hunt for a new chief executive after Lisa Wainwright announced her decision to step down after eight years.

During her time with the organisation she oversaw its move to the SportPark at Loughborough University, increased its turnover substantially and witnessed a Team GB volleyball squad compete at the London 2012 Olympics, although both the men’s and women’s team disbanded shortly after.

Wainwright said she wanted to give Volleyball England an opportunity to “consider the next four-year funding cycle” under the stewardship of a new CEO.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all the loca volunteers for all their support and for all the staff for the hours of work they give to drive volleyball forwards,” she said.

The former chief exec fought hard for funding during her time, but saw exchequer and National Lottery money distributed by UK Sport taken away following London 2012 as a result of the quango’s ‘no compromise’ policy.

Money was also taken away from the organisation’s sitting volleyball programme – a move that Wainwright admitted she was “stunned” by.

The sport has received £5.1m (US$6.8m, €6.1m) in Sport England funding over the 2013-2017 cycle, although the majority if this is aimed at people aged below 25.