Rebels volleyball teammates turn international rivals

Essex Rebels volleyball aces Euan Fraser, 21 and Thomas Jefferson, 19, faced off as Scotland and England played in a vital warm-up game.

Euan and Fraser lined up after a storming season with the Rebels which saw the newly formed franchise narrowly miss out on silverware and come runners up in the National Cup and the BUCS National Championship.

Just weeks after the season’s final serve the players faced off in Durham for two training matches ahead of the European Volleyball Championship of the Small Countries.

Held in Edinburgh Euan’s side is hopeful home support can help them bring gold home.

Euan, who is currently undertaking a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology, said: “This weekend was a great event all around.

“Our national team is made up of players from across Europe and so getting the chance to come together and take part in intense practice and compete against a high-level team such as England is always a great opportunity.

“The matches were very closely contested, and you could see the improvements from both sides by the end of the two games.

“I am really looking forward to representing my country at the upcoming Small Countries Association event and can't wait for this showcase of Scottish Volleyball to get underway!”

A sentiment echoed by Sports Performance and Coaching undergrad Thomas, who said: “The game was closely contested which gave us a good opportunity to apply what we have been working on in training in a competitive environment.

“We wish Scotland the best of luck in their small nations tournament next week in Edinburgh.”

The team at Essex Sport has praised the pair and wishes them both success in their international careers.

Dr Dave Parry, Director of Sport, said: “Euan and Thom are great friends and have been teammates for years – so it must have been very strange for them to play against each other.

“Of course, representing their countries definitely made it easier!

“We are incredibly proud of them both and their international success is a showcase for our trailblazing volleyball programme and the Rebels as a whole.

“We wish them all the best and I’m sure they will both go on to achieve great things in and outside volleyball.”