HEAD volleyball coach at the University of Nottingham Freddie Fairbairn believes an in-depth ‘Immersion Camp’ set up by Commonwealth Games England was enlightening for the young sport stars of the future writes Alec McQuarrie.

The 34-year-old is also involved with the national team pathway and was stunned by the level of work that goes into supporting and preparing Team England for Birmingham 2022 this summer.

The Team England Futures programme will see over 1,000 talented young athletes and aspiring support staff given the opportunity to attend the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, watch live sporting action and take a first-hand look behind-the-scenes.

The programme seeks to better prepare athletes to deliver medal-winning performances as either Team England, Team GB or ParalympicsGB debutants at future Games, while also giving support staff a first-hand look at the opportunities they could be presented with, as well as challenges they may face, at a multi-sport competition.

And Fairbairn, speaking at a Team England Futures Immersion Camp in Loughborough, where athletes and support staff had the chance to meet each other, visit Kitting Out and experience workshop sessions on topics such as working with the media, mental wellbeing and anti-doping, said: “Being part of today has been eye-opening.
“It’s quite humbling to know much goes into being part of Team England.

“All of the resources, all of the support that’s there not just for the athletes and the support staff, that attention to detail is humbling.

“To be a part of this and get a little taste of it is really exciting and I’m happy to be here.

“For the athletes coming here, a day like today opens their eyes. It allows them to know that the hard work that they’re doing has been done by so many other people that have achieved great things.

“It’s inspirational. It shows them they’re doing the right things to get the places they want to be.”

Fairbairn knew from a young age that he wanted to be involved with elite level sport and has found his calling in coaching, helping young people realise their ambitions.

He said: “I knew early on that I loved volleyball and I could be at the high level I wanted through coaching.

“I love working with other people and being able to be part of an athlete’s journey is a real enjoyment for me.

“These Commonwealth Games are a great opportunity for me to network with other coaches not just within volleyball but across many other sports and across many different countries as well which is really exciting.”

Commonwealth Games England has appointed SportsAid to lead on the development, management and operational delivery of Team England Futures at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. You can find out more about the programme by visiting https://www.sportsaid.org.uk/partnerships/team-england-futures/.