Club History

Eastbourne Volleyball Club

The first Eastbourne teams developed from an adult volleyball session at Cavendish School. In time youngsters from the school began to fill the squad as their ability, and the coaching they received at school, took them beyond some of the older players. For most of the 1990s the team comprised player/coach Andy Sibson, Ted Twaddell and present/former Cavendish players. Progress was difficult as the young players would leave at the age of 18 and the club would have to rebuild. The fortunes of the club are inextricably linked with Cavendish School, but it is only in the last five years that the club has achieved real stability with ‘new’ older players and returning former players combining with youngsters to form the squads that continue to increase in number and quality.

1984
Club founded by Andy Sibson and Ted Twaddell. Based in the newly opened Cavendish School Sports Hall, Eastbourne.

1985
First season in the Sussex League. Sponsored by Cronin Insurance, the team feature former Greek Junior international George Gaitanos. The club win Division 4 dropping only two sets throughout the season and reach the semi final of the Sussex KO Cup 

1986
Wendy Lambert (more of her later) and Andy Sibson, representing the club, win the Lancing Pairs Tournament Mixed Division of Honour. Cronin Insurance Men enter two teams in the Sussex League. The first team win promotion to Division 2.

1987
Andy Sibson and Bob Coombe, representing the club, win the Lancing Pairs Tournament Men’s Division of Honour. Cronin Insurance Men win promotion to Sussex League Division 1.  

1988
Cavendish School, the junior feeder club, participate in the VC-ODI tournament, Holland for the first time. This event becomes an annual fixture and Eastbourne Jazz become involved as coaches and supporters for the junior sides who take part.  

1989
Cavendish School Boys win the National U15 championship.

1990
Luke Wight represents England Juniors. The Cavendish team receive £500 of sponsorship from a local company and enter the Sussex League Division 3 as Pip Printing, Eastbourne. The club moves venue toplay at Shinewater Leisure Centre, Eastbourne.  

1991
With Sibson taking a year out the club fail to meet their responsibilities. A number of fixtures are unfulfilled and the league demotes the club to Division 4.  

1992
Ted Twaddell and Andy Sibson begin to develop a new squad. Negotiations with the SVA enable them to play in Division 3. Two developmental years in the Division 3 follow. The club switches venue to Brighton University, Eastbourne.  

Andy Sibson (left) and Midland Bank representative Andrew Jones (right)

1993
The Eastbourne branch of Midland Bank sponsors a set of kit for the Cavendish School/Eastbourne Volleyball Club team.

1994
Whilst continuing to play in the Sussex League Division 3, negotiations take place with the Rajwani brothers. These lead to sponsorship for the club and a name change, to Eastbourne Jazz, for the 1995 season.  

1995
Former Cavendish School pupils, bolstered by player/coach Sibson, win the Sussex League Division 3 in the first year as Eastbourne Jazz.  

Jazz Femme in Holland - left to right, rear: Frances lace, Heidi Miller, Laura Harvey, Paula Nicol, Andy Sibson, front: Rachel Barratt, Marisa Lucraft, Gemma Towner, Leah Hodgson.

1996  
First Ladies team created as Jazz Femme. The team comprises former Cavendish School pupils. They play in the Sussex League and participate in the VC-ODI tournament in Holland. Jazz men gain promotion as runners-up from Division 2.

1997
A young Jazz men’s team finish bottom of Division 1, but are allowed to remain in the top division as a result of Worthing wishing to stay in Division 2, and with a view to promoting Junior Volleyball  

1998
Jazz Men win Sussex League Division 1, but lose in the KO Cup Final. (We knew that we had potential!). Phil Gardiner becomes second Jazz player to represent England Juniors.  

The triumphant team - left to right, rear: Dave Williamson, Lewis Chan, Mark Hayes, Gary Brockwell, Robert Ashby, Andy Sibson, front: Luke Wight, Evagolos (Van) Dimou, Simon Laker, Daniel Elliott, Callum Dean

1999  
Jazz Men win Sussex League Division 1 and complete the double with a KO Cup Final victory over Lancing

2000
Robert Ashby completes a hat trick of Jazz players to represent England Juniors.

2001
Chelsea College Ladies, led by Wendy Lambert, join Jazz to combine the strength of the two clubs. Jazz Chelsea win the Sussex Cup and League ‘Double’. The club fields 4 teams for the first time.  

2002
A shortage of players led the club to withdraw Jazz 1 from the League. Returning players (Luke Wight, Gary Brockwell) bolster the Jazz 2 side who go on to become Division 3 winners with 100% winning record in the league. Jazz Chelsea win the Sussex Ladies League and narrowly fail to win Sussex KO Cup Final. Jazz Femme finish 4th in the Ladies Division – their best season, so far!

Jazz Chelsea at the KO Cup Final left to right, rear: Wendy Lambert, Sue Cheshire, Suzanne Bowers, Angela Clark, front: Amy Sibson, Lynsey Salvage, Heidi Miller, Carolin Steiner

Jazz Femme left to right, rear: Andrea VanLeeuwen , Aletta VanGijssel, Carolin Steiner, Nicky Thomas, front: Sulata Paul, Hannah Collins, Angela Clark, Jane Harvey

Jazz men after securing a 100% league division 3 record, left to right, rear: Matt Sommers, Andy Sibson, Roy Evenden, Tom Jones, Ben Jones, front: John Evenden, Taku (Japanese guest) Gary Brockwell, Mike Usher. NB Nolan Taylor out of the country – hence the win…

2002/03  
Jazz Chelsea earned the clubs only piece of silverware by winning the KO Cup very comfortably against Durrington. Their cup final opponents pipped them to the League title following a shock home defeat and a loss away to Adur when the side was severely depleted. Jazz Femme completed the season in fine form and were placed 5th in the League. Jazz 1 missed 2nd place in Division 1 by virtue of sets difference and finished 3rd. Jazz 2 ended the season in 2nd place in Division 2.
 
2003/04
Shock name change! Jazz Femme decided that they should pay homage to club stalwart and most vociferous fan, Luigi Ramon, by renaming the team 'Jazz Viola'. "Viola oh-oh, Viola oh-oh-oh-oh .

Jazz Chelsea won the Sussex Ladies League title with a 100% success rate through the season. They were unable to match this in the KO Cup tournament. Having won all matches in the pre-tournament tournaments they performed badly in the grand final and lost their only game of the season to Dolphins.

Jazz Viola were pleased to fulfil all of their fixtures owing to injury and absences. They ended the season in 5th place.

Jazz 1 never fielded the same team in successive matches but managed to earn
4th place in Division 1.

Jazz 2 were the most improved team. A settled side won Division 2 and the KO Cup Plate competition.