Episodes

  • Super League Timeout - 8th and 9th March 2025
    Mar 11 2025

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    The Dynamik Men's and Women's Super League regular season is reaching its climax, and after a dramatic weekend with 12 matches played, the Final 4 teams are now confirmed.

    This week, I’m joined by London Giants head coach Mihail Stoev and setter Seth Chen as we discuss their impressive run of six straight wins since Christmas, dropping just one set. They capped off the weekend with a dominant 3-0 win over fellow Final 4 team Newcastle Knights. Coach Stoev highlights the hard work and club support behind their rise, an incredible feat given they were new to the Super League this season after earning promotion from Division 1 last year. Seth also shares his thoughts on volleyball in England, comparing it to his experience playing professionally in Australia.


    The relegation battle has been just as intense. IBB Polonia and Stockport are now confirmed as the two relegated teams, with seven-time champions IBB Polonia set to play in Division 1 next season.


    In the Malory vs. University of Nottingham match, Malory’s opposite hitter Nathan Fullerton literally broke the floor. Tune in to hear what happened.


    Malory Eagles strengthened their top spot with back-to-back 3-0 wins. Meanwhile, Team Sideout Polonia and Essex Rebels, both Final 4 teams, faced off in a thriller, with Essex edging a 3-2 win after a 17-15 battle in the fifth set. Cambridge ARU and Darkstar Derbyshire are now level on points, fighting for the final playoff spot. Cambridge’s 3-0 win this weekend keeps them in the race for Super League survival.


    The Final 4 weekend at Crystal Palace Sports Centre promises to be a huge event. Tickets are available now on the Volleyball England website. Don't miss out.

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    Connecting Through Conversation

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    28 mins
  • Super League Timeout - 1st and 2nd March
    Mar 4 2025

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    What. A. Weekend. The Super League is the most thrilling it’s been in years, with every match delivering drama, grit, and season-defining moments! With just weeks to go, the race for the Final 4 is on, and survival battles are heating up.

    💥 Maaree Women's Super League:

    The East Midlands Darkstar Derbyshire squad is on fire! They stormed through the weekend with two crucial wins, including a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Leeds Gorse, lifting them out of the relegation zone. I'm joined this week by Olympian, coach, and former player Audrey Cooper, who breaks down how her team's mindset shift and sheer determination have powered their surge—winning 6 of their last 9 matches since Christmas!

    Elsewhere, Malory claimed victory at the final Volleyball England Super League Live event, beating Essex Rebels 3-1. London Lionhearts secured the last spot in the Final 4, while Wessex, already relegated, grabbed their first win of the season against Cambridge ARU!

    🔥 Dynamik Men's Super League:

    With Malory Eagles and Essex Rebels locked in for the Final 4, two spots remain up for grabs—and the competition is fierce! The showdown of the season saw Malory edge out Essex Rebels 3-2 in an absolute thriller between the top two teams! I break down the key moments, turning points, and what this result means for the playoffs.

    Meanwhile, last year’s finalists Durham and IBB Polonia faced off, with Durham taking a 3-1 win—but both teams are in unfamiliar territory, fighting to avoid the drop. With no relegations confirmed yet, the final weeks will be a battle for survival, and even some of the league’s biggest names aren’t safe!

    🎟️ Final 4 Tickets ON SALE NOW! 🎟️
    Don’t miss out—April 5th & 6th at Crystal Palace! Get your tickets now on the Volleyball England website and witness the best of the best battle it out for the Super League crown!

    Tune in for all the action, analysis, and insights—only on Super League Timeout!

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    28 mins
  • Digging Deeper - Sam Shenton: From Pro Player to Head Coach – Building a High-Performance Culture
    Feb 27 2025

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    In this episode of That Volleyball Guy, I sit down with someone I’ve known for years—Sam Shenton, a man for whom volleyball truly is life. From his early days at Newcastle Staffs Volleyball Club to playing professionally in France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, Sam has experienced firsthand what it means to compete at the highest level. He opens up about his journey, sharing what life is really like as a pro player—the intense training, the shift in mindset when volleyball becomes a job, and the lessons he’s carried forward.

    Now a head coach at Newcastle University and Newcastle Knights Super League men’s team, as well as coaching the women's Division 1 side, Sam has transitioned from player to mentor. He reveals how his own experiences in high-performance environments have shaped his coaching ethos, how he pushes his athletes to excel, and yes—we finally get to the bottom of why he insists on wearing shorts on the sideline!

    This is a must-listen conversation for anyone interested in the realities of professional volleyball, the mindset required for success, and how elite-level experiences shape coaching philosophies. We finish, as always, with a fun game of This or That!

    Sam is not only a volleyball good guy but also a deep thinker about the game, and his insights into high performance and player development make this an episode you won’t want to miss!

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    56 mins
  • Super League Timeout - 22nd and 23rd February
    Feb 25 2025

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    It was another action-packed weekend in the MAREE Women’s Super League and the Dynamik Men’s Super League, with 10 thrilling matches showcasing some incredible volleyball!

    In the men’s league, Essex Rebels were pushed to the limit by a strengthened Richmond side, who challenged them with their new signings. The Rebels managed to hold on, securing a narrow 3-2 victory. Luke is joined by Alex Porter, head coach of Essex Rebels, to break down the game and look ahead to their huge upcoming clash against second-place Malory Eagles in the final Super League Live event of the season. This event will feature both the men’s and women’s Rebels teams facing Malory Eagles UEL in a must-watch showdown.

    The episode also reviews the Super League Live event at the University of Nottingham, where Newcastle Knights put on a dominant display with a 3-0 win over the home side in the men’s league. Meanwhile, the UoN women’s team secured their third victory of the season, defeating bottom-of-the-table Wessex, who are now relegated.

    Another thrilling weekend of volleyball saw Malory Eagles officially secure their spot as the second men’s team heading to the Final 4 Weekend, while Essex Rebels Women joined Team Sideout and Malory in qualifying for the Final 4 on April 5th-6th at Crystal Palace.

    Tune in for all the latest results, insights on the upcoming matches, and a reminder to grab your tickets for the Super League Final 4—available now on the Volleyball England website!


    Connecting Through Conversation

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    21 mins
  • Super League Timeout - 8th and 9th February 2025
    Feb 11 2025

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    In the first episode of the brand-new Super League Timeout show, in partnership with Volleyball England, Luke Wiltshire dives into all the action from the latest weekend in the MAREE Women's Super League and the Dynamik Men's Super League—the top tier of English volleyball.

    Luke is joined by special guest Mark Kontopoulos, head coach of Team Sideout Polonia Ladies, who reflects on his team’s impressive weekend, securing two wins—a dominant 3-0 victory over the University of Nottingham and a strong performance against London Lionhearts, a team that had previously pushed them to a fifth set earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Wessex Ladies continue to battle for their first league win after two tough home matches.

    The episode also covers key results from across the leagues, including IBB Polonia’s unlucky weekend with back-to-back 2-3 losses as they fight to stay in the men's Dynamik Super League. London Giants continue their strong form, securing two more wins to hold onto third place, while Durham completed a double win over Stockport.

    Tune in to catch up on all the latest results, hear insights on the upcoming fixtures, and get your tickets for the Super League Final 4, taking place on April 5th-6th at Crystal Palace—available now on the Volleyball England website!

    Connecting Through Conversation

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    31 mins
  • Launching the Next Chapter: That Volleyball Guy & Volleyball England Partnership
    Feb 4 2025

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    In this special episode, Luke Wiltshire shares exciting news about That Volleyball Guy podcast’s partnership with Volleyball England! Joined by Charlie Ford, CEO of Volleyball England, they discuss the reasons behind this collaboration, their shared mission to spread volleyball stories far and wide, and how this partnership will bring the community closer together.

    Luke and Charlie dive into how That Volleyball Guy will support Volleyball England’s Heritage Project, celebrating the rich history of the sport, while also shining a spotlight on the Super League, England’s top volleyball competition. Expect deeper insights, more voices from across the game, and an exciting new era for the podcast.

    Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and be part of this growing volleyball community!

    Connecting Through Conversation

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    13 mins
  • Time Out! Crafting Winning Game Plans: From Pre-Match Prep to Match-Day Execution
    Dec 3 2024

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    In this Time Out! episode of That Volleyball Guy, Luke Wiltshire reflects on the critical role of having a well-crafted game plan for match success. Inspired by a recent conversation with performance analyst Hai Binh Ly, Luke explores how analyzing opposition footage on platforms like YouTube and leveraging key stats can transform the way teams approach matches.

    Luke takes listeners through the step-by-step process of creating a game plan—starting with pre-match scouting, tailoring training sessions to mimic real-game scenarios, and preparing players for specific tactical adjustments. He emphasizes that every match presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring flexibility and clear communication to keep players aligned and motivated.

    Luke also opens up about his responsibilities as a match-day coach, sharing how he makes in-game adjustments while his assistant coach tracks stats and closely monitors team defense and structure. Together, they create a dynamic coaching partnership that keeps the team competitive and adaptable throughout the match.

    Whether you're a coach looking to refine your strategic approach, a player eager to understand how game plans are developed, or a fan curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips to elevate your volleyball game. Tune in and learn how to turn preparation into performance!

    Connecting Through Conversation

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    28 mins
  • Episode 8 - Alex Chinery: The Courage to Coach Differently and Learn Relentlessly
    Nov 26 2024

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    In this episode of That Volleyball Guy, Luke sits down with the inspirational and talented Alex Chinery, a rising star in volleyball coaching who has already achieved so much in his career. From start to finish, this was a conversation filled with honesty, insight, and passion for the sport—one you won’t want to miss, no matter your role in volleyball!

    Alex shares his journey into coaching, which began after an injury redirected his playing aspirations. Drawing on the influence of impactful coaches from his early days, Alex explains how their lessons shaped his approach to the game and continue to guide him today. Luke was struck by Alex’s transparency and self-awareness, qualities that make him not just a great coach but a remarkable leader.

    Relentless in his pursuit of growth, Alex talks about his commitment to learning at every opportunity, his willingness to embrace and learn from mistakes, and how these experiences have fuelled his development. Now leading one of England’s top Super League women’s teams, Alex offers unique insights into coaching a high-performance program, the attributes he seeks in players, and why being a good person matters as much as talent.

    Whether you’re a coach, player, or fan, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and a deep love for volleyball. Don’t miss it!

    Connecting Through Conversation

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    55 mins