Geoff Allen is the chairman of Wessex Volleyball Club. Wessex have eight former players in the running for London 2012 selection.

While we are extremely proud of the eight Wessex-produced players who have given themselves the opportunity to win a place at this summer’s Olympics, one of the most important aspects of the Games for Wessex is the legacy it will leave.

Although the Government is reducing funding for the sport by a third, we’re determined to expand and compete successfully over the next few years.

Hopefully, the increased media interest in Wessex will continue, helping us to attract more young players, spectators to our matches and commercial partners to invest in our future.

The Wessex junior programme has been the foundation of our success throughout our 36 years. Our coaches teach volleyball in more than 30 local schools and run schools’ championships at six age groups.

Youngsters aged eight to 18 join the 160-strong Wessex junior programme, either by application or invitation at competitions.

Then, our experienced coaches give them the opportunity to maximise their potential, which has resulted in 33 junior national titles in 58 finals, and more than 80 England junior internationals.

From September, some of our most talented 16- to 19-year-olds will attend the new Leaf Academy in Northbourne, where they will train each day while continuing their education.

Wessex field two men’s and two women’s National League teams, as well as four adult local league teams. Although our women were national champions and our men won the National Cup, many of our best young players moved to national squad programmes in Loughborough and Sheffield.

Now, we aim to attract some of the Olympic players by offering a high-level training and competitive programme, backed by sports science support from Bournemouth University.

A big advantage that we have is that we can offer both indoor and beach volleyball. On the beach, the national development squads are based here under the aegis of Bournemouth University.

The new indoor beach volleyball centre at Leaf Academy will enable beach players to train all year round, thus raising their standards. If anyone wishes to find out more about Wessex Volleyball Club, email wessex4vb@btinternet.com.