SINGAPORE – For as long as he can remember, sport has been a part of Vince Vigvari’s life.

Coming from a sporting family, the support of their household is what drove the 22-year-old and his brother, Vendel, who is a year older, to excel with Hungary’s men’s water polo team.

“It all comes from them, because if it weren’t for the whole family, 100 per cent we wouldn’t be here.

“My parents both were active athletes, and they kind of decided that we are going to play water polo. And from when I was eight years old, they were supporting us, like crazy.

“The whole family was driving us one hour every day to bring us to practice, and it’s this kind of mentality and support that we received from them that followed us throughout our whole career,” said the 1.88m Vince.

The duo are in Singapore with the Hungarian team vying to reclaim the World Aquatics Championships title which they won at the 2023 edition in Fukuoka, Japan.

The Vigvari brothers have a strong sporting lineage. Their maternal grandparents are Pal Schmitt, a two-time Olympic fencing champion (1968 and 1972) and former Hungarian President from 2010 to 2012, and gymnast Katalin Makray, the 1964 Olympic silver medallist.

Their mother Petra Schmitt is a former tennis player and dad Csaba Vigvari is a former water polo player.

When asked if the brothers had a choice in selecting their sport when they were younger, Vince said: “My parents discussed before they had their first child, and they decided that if it was going to be a girl, then she’s going to play tennis.

“And if it’s going to be a boy, they are going to go to the pool and learn to swim and then move to water polo.

“But obviously we had a choice and we wanted to do it. We admired our parents and our grandparents, and we (knew) we wanted to do sports.”

Being in the national team with his brother also gave Vince the push to reach greater heights.

“It means (everything to play together)… we are brothers, we grew up together in a super competitive environment, working, competing against each other,” added Vince.

“That’s the other thing that I think helped us to get here to this level… The biggest plan together is to compete at the Olympic Games, and we just aspire to be our best selves and help each other where we can.”

Despite scoring twice, Vince could not help Hungary get a win on July 16 as they faltered late in the 10-9 loss to Spain in their final Group B game.

Vendel, who suffered a stomach bug after their first game win over Australia, is expected to recover in time for Hungary’s play-off against Romania for a quarter-final spot.

Vince admitted they lost to Spain after running out of steam in the final quarter.

“It’s a bit sour in the end, but we will have to deal with it. We played an amazing three quarters… but we didn’t have any energy left in the fourth quarter to make proper decisions and to close the game.”

Spain, who qualified automatically to the quarter-finals, are joined by Italy, who finished top of Group A, Group C winners the United States, and Croatia, the winners of Group D.

Those who finished second and third in their groups advanced to the July 18 crossover matches for spots in the quarter-finals.

Those who finished bottom of their groups enter the classification matches.

Hosts Singapore, who slumped to their biggest defeat of the competition in the 26-6 defeat by the United States in Group C, will face China, who finished bottom of Group D, in the 13th-16th classification match on July 18.

Despite their heavy defeats, Singapore coach Kan Aoyagi saw some positives in the Republic men’s maiden world championship run.

He said: “The US is one of the best teams in the world and I told the boys that we have nothing to lose and we must continue to fight. I think they did quite well and feel a bit more confident.

“We are teaching them now what the world standard is like, because previously they couldn’t imagine (the level), because they never played with them before.”

World championshipsWater poloHungary

When Kai Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee last July, she spoke from the heart about her grandfather, then-former President Donald Trump, who survived an assassination attempt earlier that month. 

What Trump didn’t expect was that her social media platforms exploded from her speech, and in turn, her content-creator dream blossomed.

Today, Trump sports over 6 million followers across her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels. YouTube, specifically, has been a place where she peels back the curtain on her life, from playing rounds of golf with Rory McIlroy and famous YouTube golfers, to walking out to UFC 314 with her grandfather. 

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Donald Trump Jr.’s daughter Kai Madison Trump speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum. The third day of the RNC focused on foreign policy and threats. (IMAGN)

While Trump is an avid golfer, who just signed an NIL partnership with Accelerator Active Energy ahead of enrolling at the University of Miami in 2026, she has a deep passion for content creation and has loved watching her platform grow.

“It’s been very fun growing it, especially after the RNC and how everything fell into place and I finally had more time to do content creation,” she said. “And I always wanted to do it in my life, so it was really cool to have an opportunity to do it. But it’s been amazing to build a fan base, be a role model for people to look up to as well – younger kids in general. It’s been really cool.”

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S OLDEST GRANDDAUGHTER, KAI TRUMP, TURNS 18: HER LIFE IN PICTURES

Every content creator will say they simply have to take a leap of faith when it comes to posting videos. It requires a certain kind of confidence, which Trump showed on that RNC stage.

Some may have been terrified by speaking to thousands while millions at home were also watching, but not Trump, who has taken that confidence into her content-creation journey.

“The RNC, to be honest with you, I wasn’t really nervous,” she said. “I don’t know why, but speaking from the heart, it was very easy to go up there and talk about the situation that happened and talk about my grandpa. Speaking in public and content creation is very similar. 

Kai Trump says her love for the game of golf has been influenced by her grandfather, President Donald Trump. (Accelerator)

“You have to talk in front of a camera, you’ve got to learn how to engage with the audience and you to do that through your camera or with public speaking.”

Trump gets millions of views on her videos, whether it’s short ones for TikToks or long day-in-the-life posts on YouTube. No matter the length, she’s received a ton of engagement, and her fans have liked how candid she is about her life. 

“My whole life, I’ve just always kind of been around just a lot – a lot of things going on and moving [around],” she said. “I love content creation just because I can share the inside of my life, but I can also interact with the base I’ve built and my community. I think that’s really cool, and obviously I’m very, very thankful for my supporters and all those people who watch my videos. 

Kai Madison Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, Jr., speaks on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. (REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)

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“I’m extremely grateful for everyone supporting me. I fell in love with it just because it’s really cool to film video and all of a sudden edit it, go through that process, post it and see the end result. It’s really cool, especially when you have people interacting with it.”

Trump will be heading to Miami in 2026, where she said her golf career will be “my first priority.” However, as long as she has the time, content creation will always be something she wants to pursue.

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Today’s traveler might be just as likely to pack sneakers or a paddle as they are a swimsuit. From sunrise runs in Central Park to beachside pickleball matches in Tulum, lifestyle sports are changing not just how we move, but where we travel.

It’s the rise of the cultural athlete: For this group, sport is more than exercise — it’s a way to connect, express identity, and often, spark the idea behind their next trip. 

Destinations are taking notice, building races, trails, and courts into their tourism strategies. Hotels, too, are rethinking amenities and programming to meet the moment — not just offering gyms, but curating experiences that keep guests moving and engaged.

Running as a Community and Tourism Driver

Running was once viewed as a solo workout or a race-day challenge. Today, run clubs have turned fitness into something social, and their popularity is taking off. 

Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport found that run club participation jumped 59% globally, while marathon and ultramarathon participation rose by 9%.

Big brands are fueling the momentum. Major players like Nike, Lululemon, and Peloton are building communities as much as they’re selling gear. Their run clubs have transformed parks and city streets into lively hangouts where locals and visitors can get moving and connect.

As running becomes more social, it’s also starting to influence where people want to travel. Running USA’s 2024 Global Runner Survey found that location tops the list when choosing races, beating out distance, terrain, or price. This shift has fueled the rise of running tourism, with travelers seeking out memorable courses, inspiring backdrops, and the energy of like-minded communities.

The “Big Six” marathons — Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo — draw hundreds of thousands of runners annually, lifting visitation and spending in these cities. While these marquee races anchor the global running calendar, interest is also surging for smaller, more scenic events, such as marathons in Big Sur, Queenstown, and Reykjavik.

Running-focused travel itineraries are gaining traction as well. Contiki’s Run Club offers a 14-day, seven-city European sightseeing-and-run tour, while Runcation Travel organizes trail-running trips in scenic destinations like the Italian Dolomites, Patagonia, and California’s Sierra Nevada.

“We tend to attract travelers who genuinely love running and want to use their own movement as a lens for discovery,” said Liz Gill, Founder and Owner of Runcation Travel.

A few select hospitality brands are reimagining how they serve runners. Westin’s Move Well programming includes WestinWORKOUT Routes — curated local running, walking, or outdoor movement paths designed to reflect the destination, offered digitally across its properties globally. Select properties also offer the Run Concierge program, with staff members who lead guided runs or act as individual running partners.

“Westin’s Run Concierges are one of the most beloved elements of our wellness experience. They’re more than fitness guides — they’re cultural connectors,” said Peggy Roe, Marriott International Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, told Skift.

Meanwhile, some JW Marriott hotels partner with local run clubs, and EVEN Hotels offer in-room fitness zones and access to local trails at some properties. 

Pickleball’s Resort-Worthy Rise

Few sports capture the spirit of today’s active lifestyle like pickleball. What started as a niche activity has exploded into the mainstream. Nearly 20 million Americans played pickleball in 2024 — a 46% increase from the previous year and a staggering 311% jump since 2021, according to the 2025 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Participation Report. For the fourth year in a row, pickleball was named the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.

Pickleball’s popularity is quickly spreading globally, with gains in the UK, Spain, Mexico, Australia, and India. With many players falling into higher-income brackets, the sport naturally dovetails with luxury and wellness travel experiences.

Destinations and hospitality brands have taken note. Since 2016, Naples, Florida, has hosted the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, the sport’s largest annual event. The 2025 edition, sponsored by Margaritaville, attracted more than 55,000 fans and 3,450 players from all 50 U.S. states and 40 countries.

“We’re seeing an increase in people not only attending the championship event, but also coming to the destination for instruction and classes year-round. So as pickleball continues to evolve as a sport, Naples will continue to be the recipient of that additional visitation from ‘pickleball vacationers,’” said Sandra Rios, Public Relations and Communications Manager at Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau.

When Mesa, Arizona, hosted the 2024 USA Pickleball National Championships, it attracted more than 2,600 athletes and 10,000 fans from 47 states and 13 countries. 

Sandals Resorts is leading the charge in making pickleball a staple of all-inclusive vacations. In 2025, it teamed up exclusively with USA Pickleball — the first all-inclusive brand to do so. Across 14 properties, Sandals has introduced 64 new or upgraded courts, offering guests unlimited play and access to coaching from USA Pickleball-approved trainers.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina, offers comprehensive Pickleball Stay & Play packages. These include professional clinics, round-robin tournaments, and resort perks that bring the pickleball lifestyle beyond the court.

And the international scene keeps heating up. This December, Club Med Cancún will host the North and South America Pickleball Cup, cementing both the resort and Mexico as rising stars in the sport’s worldwide expansion.

Tennis is shaking off its exclusive country club image and stepping into the spotlight as a sport for a new generation. According to the U.S. Tennis Association, in 2024, U.S. tennis participation hit a record 25.7 million players, growing 8% year-over-year and marking five straight years of growth. The sport is attracting a younger, more diverse audience: One in 12 Americans played tennis in 2024, the highest proportion ever.

The tennis revival is happening well beyond the courts. In cities like Los Angeles, Austin, and London, modern tennis clubs mix top-tier play with stylish design and social programming. Think wood-paneled lounges, cocktail parties, and partnerships with brands like Lacoste and Alo. 

Hospitality brands are tapping into tennis’s refreshed appeal by crafting travel experiences around major tournaments and iconic venues. London’s Egerton House Hotel offers a Wimbledon package with bespoke cocktails, luxury accommodations, and VIP rides to the All England Club. 

Accor Live Limitless gives loyalty members the chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime Roland-Garros experiences, complete with premium seats, VIP access, and curated hospitality, turning tennis into a form of elite entertainment and a currency of experience.

For travelers eager to go beyond watching and actually play, immersive packages focused on training and play are gaining momentum. The Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca pairs expert coaching with luxury amenities and cultural outings. Other destinations, from Florida to France, are capitalizing on the demand for top-tier instruction alongside upscale resort experiences.

Specialty operators like Grand Slam Tennis Tours have also made a name for themselves by creating tailored travel experiences centered on major tournaments such as the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. Their packages combine premium event tickets and luxury accommodations with curated coaching, education, and exclusive meet-and-greets. 

Golf’s Generational Pivot

Golf is undergoing its own reinvention. No longer just a country club pastime, it’s becoming a lifestyle sport that’s drawing in younger, more diverse players who are reshaping the game and the travel experiences that come with it.

According to a 2023 survey from the National Golf Foundation, 57% of on-course golfers are under the age of 50, and nearly one in four are between 18 and 34. Notably, the percentage of female golfers aged 18 and under has climbed from 15% in 2000 to 37% in 2023.

The rise of off-course formats like Topgolf, Drive Shack, and simulators has helped break down barriers, making golf more accessible and less intimidating. Participation in these venues grew 115% between 2019 and 2023, welcoming a whole new wave of players.

This opens the door for travel and hospitality brands to create more inclusive, curated, and socially engaging experiences.

A prime example is the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. Known as “The People’s Open,” the event blends PGA-level play with a festival-like atmosphere that draws a younger, livelier crowd than most tour stops. It’s the most-attended golf tournament in the U.S., drawing around 750,000 attendees over seven days, with about 15% from out of state.

Its impact ripples well beyond the course, boosting demand for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment across the region.

This shift in golf culture is inspiring fresh hospitality offerings. Omni Hotels & Resorts, for example, has teamed up with the PGA Tour to create golf-centric packages at 11 resorts, blending championship courses with dining, wellness, and local experiences. 

Meanwhile, Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey caters to younger players with Trackman-powered driving ranges and discounted Gen Z memberships. 

Golf-centric travel companies like Golfbreaks are capitalizing on this shift by crafting itineraries that combine sport with local culture — imagine whisky tastings paired with tee times in Scotland or Palm Springs retreats that mix spa relaxation with plenty of play.

“We’re definitely seeing a shift. There are more people getting into the game who care about the full experience, not just the golf,” said Levi Bilbrey, Golfbreaks’ Head of Marketing. “A golf trip used to mean five rounds in four days with your buddies, but now it might be a quick weekend with your partner, a few rounds built around a big tournament experience, or just a bucket-list round while you’re on vacation somewhere iconic.”

LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed men’s tour, is playing a big role in reshaping the game’s audience. CEO Scott O’Neil notes that 30% of LIV attendees are first-timers, and their average age is about 15 years younger than fans at traditional tournaments.

LIV Golf is also forging strong partnerships within the hospitality world. In 2026, it will join forces with MGM Resorts International to host LIV Golf Week in Las Vegas. The league’s global reach is expanding quickly, with early-season tournaments scheduled for Riyadh, Adelaide, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, and Mexico City.

The Strategic Imperative for Travel Brands

These lifestyle sports go beyond being hobbies. They serve as identity markers and social frameworks that shape everything from destination choices to booking habits.

For hotels and destinations, the opportunity is huge. These sports draw in affluent, culturally curious travelers who want meaningful experiences and often travel in groups. Big races, tournaments, and club gatherings encourage longer stays and boost loyalty through repeat visits.

Today’s athletic travelers aren’t defined by skill — they’re defined by intention. Sport is a gateway to experience, identity, and connection. Whether it’s chasing the perfect runner’s high along the Amalfi Coast, planning a dream trip around Wimbledon, or teeing off at sunrise in the Black Desert, these moments become emotional anchors — and smart travel brands are paying attention.

Alison McCarthy is Content Director of SkiftX, Skift’s in-house custom content agency. She writes about the cultural shifts reshaping how and why we travel.

The travel industry’s top event returns this fall.

September 16-18, 2025 – NEW YORK CITY

STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford’s placed three onto the men’s track and field/cross country Academic All-America team as selected by College Sports Communicators — senior pole vaulter Garrett Brown and sophomore twin distance runners Leo and Lex Young.

Brown was named to the second team and the Youngs received third-team recognition. This was the second Academic All-America honor for Brown and the first for Leo and Lex.

The selections were based on academic performance combined with athletic performance in either cross country, or indoor or outdoor track and field.

Brown, from Carlsbad, California, co-termed in aeronautics and astronautics. Brown is a two-time All-American is a repeat second-team Academic All-American. Brown earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team indoors and was an NCAA West Prelims qualifier outdoors.

Leo Young, a management science and engineering major, earned his first All-America honor by placing 13th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He was first-team All-ACC outdoors, placing third at the conference championships.

Lex Young, a sustainable architecture and engineering major, was a two-time All-ACC selection, earning second-team honors outdoors in the 10,000 and second-team indoors in the 5,000. He was an NCAA West Prelims qualifier at both distances outdoors and was the top American underclassman in each race.

Stanford’s men’s cross country and track and field program has earned 32 Academic All-America honors all-time by 25 individuals.

CoSIDA Academic All-America team
Division I Track and Field/Cross Country

Men
Second team
Garrett Brown, Sr., Carlsbad, Calif., 3.72 (undergrad)/3.69 (grad), Aeronautics & Astronautics (U and G)

Third team
Leo Young, So., Camarillo, Calif., 3.70, Management Science and Engineering.
Lex Young, So., Camarillo, Calif., 3.63, Sustainable Architecture and Engineering.

Brown and Leo and Lex Young were selected from those who were named to the CSC Academic All-District teams.

Here is the list of Stanford’s All-District honorees:

Thomas Boyden, Grad.
Garrett Brown, Sr.
Leo Young, So. 
Lex Young, So.
Nolan Topper, Sr.

Here is an all-time list of Stanford’s men’s cross country and track and field Academic All-Americans:

Men
Year, Name, Category, Team
1999: Adam Connolly, At Large, first team
2002: Donald Sage, XC/TF, third team
2004: Adam Tenforde, XC/TF, first team
2007: Russell Brown, XC/TF, third team
2009: Garrett Heath, XC/TF, first team
2011: Chris Derrick, XC/TF, first team
2011: Elliott Heath, XC/TF, first team
2011: Miles Unterreiner, XC/TF, first team
2012: Chris Derrick, XC/TF, first team
2012: Elliott Heath, XC/TF, first team
2012: Miles Unterreiner, XC/TF, first team
2015: Marco Bertolotti, XC/TF, first team
2015: Luke Lefebure, XC/TF, first team
2016: Justin Brinkley, XC/TF, second team
2016: Sean McGorty, XC/TF, second team
2016: Harrison Williams, XC/TF, third team
2018: Tai Dinger, XC/TF, second team
2019: Steven Fahy, XC/TF, second team
2019: Harrison Williams, XC/TF, second team
2022: Charles Hicks, XC/TF, third team
2022: Keyshawn King, XC/TF, third team  
2023: Max McKhann, XC/TF, first team
2023: Ky Robinson, XC/TF, first team
2023: Kevin Yang, XC/TF, first team
2023: Udodi Onwuzurike, XC/TF, second team
2024: Ky Robinson, XC/TF, first team
2024: Kevin Yang, XC/TF, first team
2024: Garrett Brown, XC/TF, second team
2024: Cole Sprout, XC/TF, third team
2025: Garrett Brown, XC/TF, second team
2025: Leo Young, XC/TF, third team
2025: Lex Young, XC/TF, third team

PHILADELPHIA – Tyler Hagstrom, the reigning Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading Bucknell to its most wins in three decades, has been named the head volleyball coach at Penn.
 
Hagstrom takes over the Quakers after leading the Bison to a 21-5 record in 2024 including a school-record 13 wins in the Patriot League. He also has the highest winning percentage in Bucknell volleyball history.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Tyler to University City as our new head volleyball coach,” Alanna Wren, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation said. “Tyler has led winning teams at similar high-academic institutions during his time as a head and assistant coach. Penn volleyball is a team on the rise in the Ivy League, and we are confident that Tyler is the leader to get us to the next step in the program’s evolution.”
 
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to be named the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Pennsylvania,” Hagstrom said. “Penn is a world-class institution with a proud athletic tradition, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this program into its next chapter. I want to sincerely thank Athletic Director Alanna Wren and Senior Woman Administrator Rachel Kuperinsky for their trust and support throughout this process, as well as the entire hiring committee at Penn for believing in my vision for the program. Their commitment to building a competitive, student-centered volleyball program aligns perfectly with my own values and goals as a coach.”
 
Hagstrom arrived in Lewisburg, Pa. during the abbreviated 2020-21 season. By his second full season in 2022, Bucknell posted its first winning campaign (15-11) since 2006 and its first appearance in the Patriot League Tournament in more than a decade. In his third year in 2023, the Bison again went 15-11 but their 11-5 record in the Patriot League was the best since 2003 and tied the program mark for most PL wins in a season. Bucknell ranked third nationally in digs per set in 2023.
 
Last year, Bucknell’s 21-5 record marked its best season since 1995, and the 13 Patriot League victories were the most conference wins in school history. The Bison finished second in the league for the second consecutive season, then fell to Army in a five-set match at the Patriot League Tournament. The 2024 team led the league in points, assists, kills, opponent hitting percentage and digs.
 
Hagstrom leaves Bucknell with the highest winning percentage in program history (.551, 59-48) and the only head coach to have a winning record. During his five seasons, he coached ten all-league players, two Patriot League Liberos of the Year, two Patriot League Rookies of the Year, one Patriot League Setter of the Year, and the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Prior to his success at Bucknell, Hagstrom spent four seasons at Princeton as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, helping the Tigers to three Ivy League titles and three NCAA Championship appearances. He coached 21 All-Ivy student-athletes, including two Ivy Players of the Year, one Ivy Rookie of the Year and one Ivy Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Hagstrom began his collegiate coaching career at UC Irvine in 2013-15, before serving as an assistant coach at Grand Canyon from 2015-16 including a brief stint as GCU’s interim head coach.
 
The Fountain Valley, California native was a libero on three NAIA national championship teams at California Baptist. He led the national tournament in digs in helping the Lancers to the 2005 NAIA championship and broke the school record for digs in a season.
 
Hagstrom earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Cal Baptist in 2007 and a master’s in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University in 2020. Hagstrom will be joined in the Philadelphia area by his wife, Nina, and children Dylan, Camila and Lucas.
 

#FightOnPenn

Whilst there have been many challenges over this period, these have been far outweighed by the organisation’s many achievements.  

Coming into post, he found Volleyball England at a significant crossroads, where its very existence was, in doubt. 

Eight years later, Volleyball England is now acknowledged by the sport’s key stakeholders as an excellently-run national governing body with strong and sustainable business foundations.    

Through the implementation of The Game Plan strategy, the board and staff team have consistently tackled challenges with skill and determination and have incrementally improved almost every aspect of the sport. This programme of transformational change ensures the sport has a bright future.  

Reflecting on his time with Volleyball England, he highlighted the many things he was proud of.  

Walker said: “I’m really proud of our sports growth, particularly the increase in the numbers of junior players. Similarly, I feel very privileged to have watched the Bellow’s win a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2022 and witnessed their incredible progression within the world beach rankings 

“ Underlying this, I am thrilled to see how this has provided the catalyst for a significant strengthening in the depth and abilities of our beach players and provided the momentum for the development of new elite beach venues.” 

Additionally, Walker outlined the fantastic strides in competition development, education and training of coaches and officials, and the significant improvements in international relations and standings as significant highlights that he was proud to have played a part in delivering.  

Above and beyond all of these achievements, Walker said one of the things he was most proud of was the development of the VE Hub team. 

‘It’s been a privilege to see a wonderful team achieving fantastic outcomes with minimal resource,” he said.  

“I haven’t always been able to spend as much time as I would like with them, but Charlie (Ford, CEO) and Guin (Batten, Deputy CEO) have always kept me fully updated.”    

“Whilst Walker has undoubtedly played his part in reviving Volleyball England’s fortunes, he was quick to pass much of the credit to those around him. 

“My role was to simply act as the conductor of a world-class orchestra,” he said. “Without the incredible efforts of my fellow board members, the fantastic Hub team and the many hundreds of volunteers, none of the progress we have achieved would have been delivered.  

“I’ve been so lucky to have worked with such brilliant people, who throughout my time have worked so selflessly.” 

When asked why he first looked to get involved with Volleyball England, Walker cited three reasons. The first was his connection to Janet Inman (then CEO). 

“I knew Janet from previous sports development work and had a huge respect for her and equally was inspired by her incredible passion for the sport,” he said. 

Secondly he explained that volleyball was an Olympic sport that he was always compelled to watch as it was incredibly skillful, fast-paced and exciting.  

Walker then added: ‘I’ve always seen volleyball as an amazing sport with incredible potential, not only does it have three very different versions, but it also has a fantastic gender balance and is appealing for all ages’     

Looking at the early years of his term, Walker said: “From the outset there were many fundamental business and governance challenges that urgently needed to be addressed.  

‘It was about saving the organisation in the first instance and we had to make some difficult decisions, including the commencement of a significant organisational restructure. 

“From a financial perspective, we had to rebuild fractured relationships with funding partners, prioritise our resources and negotiate with the tax authorities… you name it we had to do it. 

“Whilst this phase was not always enjoyable, it was the efforts put in during these early days that have facilitated such a strong and well-respected organisation today.” 

Having successfully navigated this initial period Walker, then reflected on more recent years.  

He said: “Having established such a robust organisation we have been able to make great strides in growing and diversifying our revenues, this in turn has enabled us to move from business prudence to innovation and investment.  

“I’m delighted to be handing over to a new Chair where the organisation is in such a good position to press forward. 

“And all of the changes that have been delivered have only been possible because we have had four brilliant CEOs during that time – Janet, Sue Storey, Sam Jamieson and Charlie Ford – all of whom have been incredible leaders for the phases that they have been at the helm… thank you team.”

When asked about his leadership style, Walker explained that he has consistently focused on a few key principles which he hopes has helped him to earn the respect and trust of his colleagues.  

He said: “I try to be as inclusive as I can. Everyone on the board has a right to contribute, and I have always tried to make sure that they can do that. 

“I have also tried to create a sense of fun because everyone is a volunteer. When you volunteer, you should have the opportunity to enjoy yourself. I haven’t come across to many volunteers that wouldn’t want this.  

“Underpinning that, I have tried to make sure the Board has been strategic, decisive and purpose-driven. I have wanted to make things happen and make decisions, rather than talking about things but not getting them done. 

“I have cared more about our board being respected rather than liked. I have wanted to positively move the sport forward and I believe that as a collaborative group of people we have done that, and done it well.”  

Although his tenure with Volleyball England will soon be at an end, Walker remains Chair of Welsh Cycling, Chair of GB Table Tennis and a trustee on the recently launched England Football Charity. 

Additionally he continues to be at the forefront of strategic development in European football through his business’ longstanding contract with UEFA.   

Nevertheless, he is looking forward to seeing what the future holds in store for volleyball in England.  

“I will really miss the people and sharing the volleyball mission, but as a consolation I get to continue the many friendships I have been able to make,” he said. “ I will now be able to enjoy volleyball as a spectator and have always said to Charlie, the board and the Hub team that I will always be there to help and support if needed.  

“I’ve loved my time and it has been eight great years, but it’s important that someone fresh comes in. It does take a lot of physical and mental energy, and it needs new impetus and creativity to take the next steps.” 

“I think the organisation is in a really good place. The Hub staff are fantastic people who enjoy making volleyball better and the Board is full of highly-skilled and committed people whose collective ambition to improve volleyball is infectious. 

“I want to say a massive thank you to the sport itself because I had spent eight incredible years, nearly 3,000 days in post – a big chunk of my life – and I have really enjoyed it. 

“So thank you and best of luck for the future.” 

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