The Heritage Show: Ron Richards — Service, Development and a Life in Volleyball

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In this latest edition of The Heritage Show, in partnership with Volleyball England, I’m joined by Ron Richards for a brilliant conversation that journeys through more than six decades of volleyball history.

Ron reflects on his early days of discovering the sport in the 1960s, what volleyball looked like in those formative years, and how the game began to evolve through the 1970s and 1980s as more sports halls became available across the country. We talk about his playing days, competing with Exeter University, and the early growth of the National Volleyball League.

The conversation then moves into Ron’s huge contribution to junior development. As a teacher, he created opportunities for young people to play, setting up school and club programmes and building successful junior tournaments that gave countless players their start in the sport. We also explore his incredible impact in the South West, where he has been a tireless advocate for volleyball — supporting clubs to grow, strengthening the regional game, and helping drive junior development, including the creation of the mini volleyball Grand Prix series in the 1990s, which helped produce some of the country’s best players.

Ron also shares his thoughts on the power of volunteers in volleyball, the importance of creating club environments that feel like family, and why that sense of community matters so much in sustaining the sport.

From there, we move onto his national contribution — including his time as Vice President of the English Volleyball Association and his experiences as Head of Delegation for national and club teams travelling abroad. He shares fascinating stories from those trips, including memorable experiences in the Soviet Union.

We also talk about Ron’s role in establishing the Whitefield Volleyball Tournament, which grew into one of the most successful and well-loved grass tournaments in the country, and why its legacy continues to this day.

This is a fantastic conversation with a truly special man — a gentleman with a huge heart for volleyball, whose dedication to the game is remarkable. Having served as Secretary of South West Volleyball for over 50 years, Ron’s contribution to the sport is nothing short of extraordinary.

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