Three things I miss from College

by Robert Poole There is a saying that University, or ‘College’ as my brother and I have become accustomed to saying in the States, is one of the best times of your lives. Not only do you make friends that will likely last a lifetime but you are starting your own individual journey away from … Continue reading Three things I miss from College

Cardio workouts – getting through them

by Robert Poole Now there is no hiding from the fact that cardio workouts suck, no matter if you feel like you are in the best shape of your life or that you are just coming back from a lockdown period where you might have enjoyed too many slices of dessert. I am definitely in … Continue reading Cardio workouts – getting through them

A passing unit not an individual passer

by Robert Poole “There is no ‘I’ in TEAM”, the iconic phrase that has been spelt out to many different generations of athletes. It highlights the importance of understanding that team sport is not just about how well you can perform as an individual, but also how well a group of individuals can perform together … Continue reading A passing unit not an individual passer

A few questions to consider asking when looking at a pro contract

by Robert Poole So, having undertaken 4 different pro contracts, each with varying levels of training, pay, other benefits and living arrangements, I feel like I have started to understand what I personally need from a pro contract or team in order to be able to perform to the best of my ability on the … Continue reading A few questions to consider asking when looking at a pro contract

Building a support network

by Robert Poole I want to start this blog off by wishing my brother and co-founder Ryan a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I don't think that any blog could be more appropriate for such a day. Ryan has been such a big part of my support network: whether we have been playing on the same or opposing … Continue reading Building a support network

Communicating with Fans/Supporters

by Robert Poole Sport isn’t just about participation, it’s also about bringing together of a group of people from different backgrounds and offering them an enjoyable supportive role within the community. From the professional player who plays for the love of the sport to the person who turns up just to socialise and enjoy the … Continue reading Communicating with Fans/Supporters

Why you should think about coaching

by Robert Poole For some athletes coaching comes naturally and is seen as a way of staying part of the volleyball community when they hang up their shoes. For others, it’s not something that they ever really consider, they are ready to move on with their other life interests. But what about coaching whilst you … Continue reading Why you should think about coaching

Communicating with your coach – a Player’s Perspective

by Robert Poole Different players have different preferences when it comes to communication with their coaches. For me personally, I like to have feedback, whether it’s in the form of positive support or constructive criticism. I also like to work with the coach to set goals so that I am always comfortable that someone else … Continue reading Communicating with your coach – a Player’s Perspective

Healthy Competition in Training: Introduction

by Robert Poole How many of us have never compared ourselves to another athlete? I am sure at some stage that we have all tried to assess where we stand within a group or felt like we had a point to prove in a training session to fight for a place in the starting line-up. … Continue reading Healthy Competition in Training: Introduction

3 ways that helped me to stay motivated during Lockdown

by Robert Poole I’m sure that many of you started off this Corona Pandemic with high levels of uncertainty about what the future would hold for you, whether it was being worried about your fitness, your job, or most importantly your own health. However, I am sure that after things settled during the first few … Continue reading 3 ways that helped me to stay motivated during Lockdown