Harry Brokking, the former Dutch national team coach, has been unveiled as the man to take the British Volleyball men’s squad forward and Dr Lorne Sawula , the former Swiss, Australian and Canadian national team coach, will be leading the British Women in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Brokking was Assistant coach when the Dutch squad came fifth at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

 

He has also had two spells as head coach from 1989-1992 and 2005-2006.

 

With experience ranging from coaching domestic teams in Germany , Belgium , France and more recently Poland , Brokking’s record of achievement from European and World League Championships is exemplary.

 

He said: “I’m delighted to be working with the British Programme and taking the players forward in the run up to London 2012.

 

“This is an exciting time for British Volleyball and I’m glad to be part of it and look forward to a rewarding and successful time with the programme."

 

Sawula’s experience in developing National programmes and coaching national and domestic teams around the world makes him an ideal candidate for the women’s programme in Britain.

 

Involved in many European, World League and Olympic Qualifying events, Sawula looks forward to leading the British women’s squad towards the 2012 Games.

 

He said: “Working with different countries who have varying ability and structure within the sport has equipped me to obtain results from teams I work with.

 

"Britain has a fantastic opportunity to further develop their World Class programme and I am fully confident I can achieve success working with the programme and players involved”.

 

Richard Callicott, the president of the British Volleyball Federation said: “We’re delighted that Harry and Lorne are on board, both their experience and understanding of the roles gives us confidence that they will motivate players and produce programmes that will ensure success”

 

Both appointments will be building on the fantastic work already done over the past year by Interim coaches Thomas Dowens and Jefferson Williams.

 

In just a year on from the programme beginning, much has already taken place including the implementation of an intensive training schedule and development of the players involved.

 

Brokking will take his first look at the players he will work with at the forthcoming men’s camp in France where they will play a number of fixtures against club and national teams and is due to start his role this June.

 

Lorne will join up with the Women’s squad at their camp in Sheffield form the May 19 to June 3.

 

Both the men’s and women’s programmes will be based at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield .