Volleyball Ireland are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Bell as Head Youth Coach & Coach Developer.
Graham has been working in professional volleyball for the last ten years in Austria, Germany and the UAE, and has extensive experience at all levels of the game. Most recently Graham has been working as the Assistant Coach of the Austrian League & Cup Champions Linz SteelVolleys, alongside current Austria Head Coach Roland Schwab.
Prior to that Graham has worked in the German Bundesliga with WWK Volleys Hersching and was Head Coach of the Austrian Men’s 1st Division team UVC Weberziele Ried im Innkreis where he had oversight of the whole pathway from u13 through to the Senior Team.
An experienced data analyst, strength & conditioning coach and qualified Sports therapist, Graham also spent time working alongside famous American Coach Gordon Mayforth with UAE club Al Jazira.
Volleyball Ireland Chief Executive Gary Stewart, is excited about the appointment, “Graham’s passion and enthusiasm to ‘come home’ and develop Irish Volleyball really stood out. He will bring an abundance of energy and experience to this new role, and will help enhance all of our pathway and performance programmes. Graham has strong experience working with boys, girls, men, women at high levels and in development programmes, both indoor and on the beach. He’s a perfect fit for Volleyball Ireland”.
Graham will take charge of Ireland’s u20 Women’s team ahead of their European Championship campaign in August, as well as supporting the Development Centre coaching programme, and providing club and school coach education. Graham commented, “I am thrilled to be chosen to lead the next wave of Irish athletes and coaches. Although being outside of the country for a long time, I am excited to come home and help build on the recent development and success achieved by Volleyball Ireland, the coaches and the players. The future must be used to continue building on the recent success and I believe it has never been a better time to be a young volleyball player in Ireland.
During my talks with Volleyball Ireland, I have been impressed with how ambitious they are and that they are prepared to work hard on the behalf of their teams and athletes. With no better example than by the willingness of hosting a major European tournament in Ireland next summer.
As for myself, I am itching to get my first couple of sessions in the bag with the team. Then the process for myself, my coaching staff and the players starts as we look to prepare ourselves to be as ready as possible to perform on home soil next August. I look forward to meeting, helping and having meaningful conversations with the Volleyball community in Ireland.”
Born in Northern Ireland, Graham represented Northern Ireland in his youth and with the Senior team, before gaining a Volleyball scholarship to the University of East London.
The newly created role has been funded by the FIVB’s Empowerment programme, with support from Sport Ireland. Graham takes up the role on September 22nd.
