A Decade of Triumph: The Unforgettable Journey of Volleyball at the University of Essex

In this blog, we chat to Coach Alex Porter who is celebrating a decade of coaching volleyball at Essex.

Reflecting on the Highlights

“Looking back over the last ten years brings a lot of pride” ponders Alex Porter, Head Volleyball Performance Coach at Essex. “Each year had its unique moments, making it challenging to pick a single highlight. However, being the first team from any sport at Essex to win a BUCS National Championship in 2019 stands out, along with multiple Student Cup winners' medals. Yet, the off-court moments, seeing the growth of players, are the real proud moments.”

Beyond the Trophies

Over the last decade, 27 students earned their first National Team cap, and 24 students signed their first professional contracts. The journey wasn't easy, but the hard work athletes put in daily, both on and off the court and watching players unlock their true potential are the true proud dad moments for Alex.

Pioneers to Powerhouse

Volleyball paved the way for performance sports at the University, with basketball, tennis and football joining the sports programme offering. Unrecognisable from 10 years ago, Essex has come a long way. State-of-the-art facilities, including the 1,600-seater Essex Sport Arena, a dedicated weights room for performance athletes, pimped up changing rooms and a video analysis room have propelled Essex into a sporting powerhouse.

The Role of Coach

“At the beginning I was just ‘a coach’ but the role encompasses so much” shares Alex, encompassing pastoral support, budget management, scholarship awards, accommodation oversight, timetable management, injury handling, fixture scheduling and relentless recruitment. With a growing staff base, the focus is returning to what matters most – helping athletes and teams improve.

Breaking Barriers

Looking to the future, “we want to continue to show others what’s possible on and off the court” says Alex. The University of Essex has broken new ground as the first club to utilise the international sports person visa to sign four professional athletes. The match day experience, complete with light displays, smoke matches, a megatron, and newly launched Rebels Rewards fan app for its students, has elevated the Super League standard.

Record-Breaking Ambitions

The upcoming home fixture against the University of Nottingham on 3 February 2024 aims to set a record attendance, building towards last year's basketball fixture that smashed club and league records with 1,505 fans. Essex is not just about developing athletes; we’re pioneering efforts to develop the sport with Alex at the forefront of the charge. Assistant coach Alex Chinery going full time and initiatives to support the next generation of coaches underscore our commitment.

Lessons Learned

Every year brings new lessons, and signing four professional athletes was a steep learning curve. However, these experiences will pave the way for smoother processes in the future. Recruitment strategies have evolved, focusing on the best professional athletes, acknowledging that undergrads need to work harder to close the gap. One principle remains constant – they must be good people.

Gratitude and Acknowledgments

As the program grew, so did the person at its helm. “This journey wouldn't have been possible without family and, of course, a coffee addiction. The humbling messages received emphasize that, regardless of the sport, the journey has always been about one thing – the people.”

Congratulations Coach Porter. Thank you for a decade filled with memories, laughter and countless lessons. Your impact on us goes beyond the game! Happy 10 years anniversary at the University of Essex

Find out more about our Performance Sport programme at Essex and follow our student athletes’ journey on Instagram @uniessexperform

Sports scholarships and bursaries

We are committed to supporting and developing high performance athletes. Find out whether you could be eligible for a sports scholarship or bursary, plus a range of additional benefits too when you join the University of Essex.