GB Volleyball Team Aims To Beat 2012 Cuts

The Great Britain women’s volleyball team has embarked on a 272-mile bike ride in a bid to beat the funding cuts that may prevent them competing in the London 2012 Olympics.

The team has to raise the £250,000 necessary to keep their 2012 Olympic dream alive after cuts that meant the team had to cancel training programmes.

The team began their journey from their Sheffield base to London on Saturday and are due to arrive in the capital on Tuesday, two years exactly until the London Olympics opening ceremony.

‘We started from nothing in 2007 and we’ve improved out of sight since then. We are simply not prepared to give up no,’ said coach Audrey Cooper.??

The team will take part in demonstration volleyball events, offer the public rides on a seven-seater-bike, provide an inflatable volleyball court and meet local people during their journey.??

Volleyball was one of eight sports to have had London 2012 funds cut earlier this year because of a £50m budget shortfall.