The ultimate goal for the players from the City of Edinburgh Volleyball Academy: A one week trip to France to train and play in La Madeleine (near Lille) from the 18th to the 24th of June.

It was the first trip to France for the cadets of the City of Edinburgh Volleyball Academy.  France is ranked 7th in the World for their Men's National Team and 7th in the World for the Men's Junior & Youth. The U19 boys French National team won recently the European Championship. Therefore it was a fantastic opportunity for the Volleyball Academy to compare their skills to the French boys, specially the region of the French Flanders is thought by many to be the best U15 in France and one of the top in Europe.

The "La Madeleine Volleyball club", host of the Scottish club during the week, put their 3 volleyball courts size games hall at the disposal of the Scottish teams (for free! Clubs in France don't pay for the hall let) and organised the volleyball activities for the whole week but also the cultural/social activities.   The sports results were very good, specially for the U15's who won the Wednesday tournament and could give a tough opposition to teams ranked in the region's top 5 the other days. The younger teams also did well, winning some games and learning a lot from their losses.

The French camp mixed Volleyball trainings and Volleyball friendly games versus local teams, volleyball tournaments and visits/shopping in Lille.  On the Saturday, following the tournament, a buffet- disco-party was organised by the young players of La Madeleine to honour their Scottish guests. It was the "bouquet final" of the trip and some improvised games were set up after the buffet/dinner mixing French and Scottish teenagers. The fatigue seemed to be forgotten, maybe due to the presence of some nice French girls on the court.  Everyone - players and staff - had a memorable trip, with highlights not just the volleyball experience but also the cultural and social aspects. A new friendship is born between the French La Madeleine Volleyball Club and the City of Edinburgh Volleyball Club.

Reception by the Mayor of La Madeleine

A morning off volleyball to tour the city of Lille

Relaxing before the first series of matches.  Many cadets played in their first ever inter- national games on this trip.

Erik's dad explains the format for the Wednesday tournament.

Down to the volleyball!  City of Edinburgh blocking in the U13 tournament!

There were many close games!  Here one player makes a huge leap in the attack to get the point for his team!

Time for some advice from team coach Gavin Watt!

It must have worked!  City of Edinburgh take the next set!

Participating teams in the Wednesday tournament.

City of Edinburgh used the jump-float serve to good effect in the U15 tournament!

The generous hosts who made it all possible! 

A VERY special thank you:

Tony and Andre Milowski.