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GB Report from Russia
Upon arrival we were greeted by "Andrei and Olga" who were part of the Leningradka Volleyball Club. Leningradka is a member of the 'Super League" of Russia and last year finished 5th. It trains out of the Dynamo training hall and plays mainly in the Platonov Volleyball Academy training hall. Both are close to each other which is also used by Lodaga, their second team which place 7th in the National League. Both have the 'typical' Russian players - tall, lanky, thin and well skilled. Jump serve, high ball attack and strong block are typical of the style of game that greets you on the court. All players on both
teams are 'professional' - meaning that they are well paid and their only job is volleyball.
Andrey, our host, was saying that there are 10 volleyball academies, similar to the Platonov Academy in the St. Petersburg area. Each Academy has about 300 students of various ages which translates into
3000 athletes training towards a higher level of volleyball. All the clubs have younger generations attached to them. There are 42 University aged teams that play in the St. Petersburg league and aim
to take part in the Russian Championships. The company that sponsors Leningradka is mainly that owned by its coach Kashin (it is a holding company of banks, communication, bedroom and kitchen supplier, etc.). He became interested in volleyball, eventually got into coaching, enjoyed it and now has bought his own team to challenge for the Super League title. Their goal is to finish in the top 3 this year. They have 3 foreign players, one being a Cuban (Fernandez), one from the Netherlands (their starting center blocker - Vizer) and one other- each receive over a '6 figure' salary. Additionally, they have two players on the Russian Olympic Team in Beijing.
See the full report at: Report from Russia
Lorne Sawula lorne@britishvolleyball.org
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