18/04/2020 12:00
“Play Volleyball in your garden and stay positive for the future!” – Joel Banks
Miscellaneous
Luxembourg, April 18, 2020. Englishman Joel Banks is an internationally renowned coach, who has spent the last four seasons working with Belgium’s standout, VC Greenyard MAASEIK. Banks and his players caused a real sensation earlier this season, when they claimed a dramatic home victory over Russian powerhouse Zenit KAZAN in the pool stage of the CEV Champions League.
After narrowly failing to make it to the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier competition, Banks and his team were hoping to achieve further glory in the national league, but the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a premature end. “It was indeed a very bizarre and quick end to the season. Obviously, the club, the team and the staff had been following the news very closely, with all players referring to their home countries media outlets. We reached a decision as a club that the Covid-19 crisis was escalating so quickly that with the health and safety of our group in mind the only decision was to cease all activities and send the players and staff home as soon as possible,” Banks recounts.
“It was definitely the right decision now looking back. For me personally it is a strange feeling, since we prepared our season plan with certain ‘peak moments’ planned in, we were working towards bringing our best Volleyball in the playoffs, we had gained momentum and we felt well prepared moving into the end of the season. Suddenly everything is stopped and you find yourself at home with your family, following the lockdown advice of the government. Strange feeling to go from a heightened sense of purpose in my sports performance life to having so much time with my family and the focus being solely on health and well-being. That said, I have not had such a long period of Volleyball inactivity since I can remember and the chance to be at home with my family is a real positive I can take from this very difficult and distressing situation. Other positives also include finally getting down to the long list of chores at home, working on my home, the garden and all the jobs that you never seem to have time for!”
His team truly exceeded everyone’s expectations in this year’s CEV Champions League, but went through some highs and lows in domestic competitions. “With four wins out of six games in our CL campaign, we definitely exceeded our own goals and expectations. The CL is a very special competition! The opportunity to play against some of the best club teams and players in the world is very inspiring. Peaking for CL matches brings with it a different sense of expectation, more often than not, we are the underdog fighting against teams with more budget from higher-level leagues - this is a superb challenge and something that we as a team relish. Our results in our home competition were in line with our plan for the season. Throughout the regular competition, we wanted to invest in our squad, focus on the development of the individual athlete as well as the team performance. Our goal was to prepare the team, all players to be at their best for the play-offs and final stages. Obviously, we had some ‘bumps in the road’ along the way with one or two injuries but the season always throws up some unexpected situations. We were where we expected to be at the stage that the competition was halted; playing well, building momentum and ready to peak.”
The results achieved in the Champions League are especially remarkable knowing that some of the players Banks has been working with this year were making their debut at such an elite level. “The CL is special as it affords the players, the staff, as well as the club and, most importantly, the fans the opportunity to see top level Volleyball and see their team compete against teams and players from the highest level of our sport. The CL nights in Maaseik are always special, there is a special energy and enthusiasm around the club on the days building up to these games - this invigorates everyone. The CL showcases our sport, makes people more enthusiastic about Volleyball and in turn raises the profile of the game,” Banks acknowledges.
As an Englishman, Banks does not come from a country where Volleyball is a mainstream sport, despite the large crowds that attended the Volleyball competition during the London Olympics. “I was very fortunate to meet a lot of great people throughout Volleyball in the UK. Growing up I was involved with many players and coaches that showed great passion and drive for Volleyball. This was something that stayed with me throughout my career. Volleyball in the UK is a small sport when compared to the traditional sports associated with the UK (such as Football, Rugby, Cricket, Rowing, etc.). In order to make the steps forward, there are in my opinion a number of things required but the two that spring to mind are funding and junior development,” Banks says.
Joel Banks briefing the players of VC Greenyard MAASEIK during a timeout
“In the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics, UK Sport funded Volleyball to a good level, this in turn enabled the British Volleyball Federation to set up full-time training programmes, appoint coaches and support staff and build an environment whereby players could practice and develop in a full-time professional environment – thus there were significant steps made by all programmes. However once the funding was stopped after the Olympics, these programmes were subsequently downgraded and stopped. One way to improve the level and make Volleyball more sustainable in the UK is to recognise the work of the clubs, coaches and volunteers that pour their heart and soul into the sport often on a voluntary basis. Helping them develop the youth will build the sport, get parents and families interested and potentially raise the profile of the sport. Increasing exposure to Volleyball in school and with youth should increase the popularity - however having teams at the top level showcasing the sport, such as IBB Polonia LONDON playing the early rounds of the Champions League in 2019 will also inspire the youngsters,” he continues.
In times of lockdown and confinement, what sort of advice would Joel give to Volleyball fans to overcome this crisis? “First and foremost we should recognise and be very thankful for the efforts of all frontline staff and medical professionals as they battle to help the patients and overcome this coronavirus crisis. I think we all need to listen and pay attention to the medical advice from our respective governments and health organisations. Right now, we need to use our common sense, be patient and stay safe! Volleyball is my sport and it has afforded me many great experiences, I have met many wonderful and inspiring people and one thing that sticks in my mind is how small the Volleyball world is! We need to help and support each other and show solidarity to one another through this difficult time. On a Volleyball note, having extra free time during this lockdown is the perfect opportunity to watch back many matches and follow the games you may have missed during the busy competition period in the winter. Play Volleyball in your garden and stay positive for the future!” Banks concludes.
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