Lauren Thrives in Volleyball

Lauren is the latest athlete from the Redhill Volleyball production line to achieve National Honours. During February half term 2022 she was representing her country, club and school in Portugal and now she’s been called on again, so she is off to Italy over Easter playing for England U17’s. Playing for England Cadets is something to be very proud of.

Laurens Volleyball journey began with Stourbridge Volleyball Club in Redhill school Sportshall while a year 5 pupil at Petershill Primary. Her older brother Dan was already hooked and PE lessons in year 7 with Mrs Beeston cemented the hold Volleyball had on her.  

It’s a story of dedication, opportunity, talent and being in the right place at the right time. It just the sort of situation Matthew Syed wrote about in Bounce. 

So much so that by the time she was 14 Lauren had been drafted to the Black Country National League team where she began being mentored by 2012 Olympian Rachel Hutt. As Rachel says, “The sky’s the limit for Lauren, but she has to be organised to train 3 or 4 times a week and study for her GCSE’s. All this requires hard work, dedication, an understanding educational environment and a very supportive family.”

Lauren wants to inspire the next generation of Redhill students and hopes her story can go some way towards that. Her coaches are keen that her next step could be a potential scholarship to a University in the USA.