Volleyball women make Euro debut

GB's Rachel Laybourne will be in action in her native Sheffield

Great Britain's women's volleyball side will make their European League debut in June despite a recent funding cut.

The men are taking part for the second year but this is the first time a women's tournament has been staged.

For the first time, GB's matches will take place across the UK, including in Sheffield, Edinburgh and Norwich.

"Despite suffering cutbacks we have determined to build on the magnificent progress made by our squads," said British Volleyball's Richard Callicott.

The sport has seen its budget slashed from £4.3m to £2.2m for the years up to the London 2012 Olympics.

GB performance programme manager Kenny Barton said: "The European League will provide both the men and women squads an ideal opportunity to continue their developments towards participation in the London 2012 Olympics.

"It is also another chance for volleyball fans across the UK to get behind the teams as they play in this prestigious competition."

Each European League group consists of four teams, with home and away matches during a month-long period.

606: DEBATE How do you think GB's men and women will perform in the European League?

GB men have been drawn in Pool A against Croatia, Turkey and current European Champions Spain, while the women have been drawn in Pool B of their competition, against Turkey, Romania and France.

Both sides will need to finish in top place in their respective groups to reach the semi-finals, which take place in July.

Before the European League, Great Britain men will also play Australia in Sheffield on the weekend of 30/31 May.

GB fixtures:

30/31 May - English Institute of Sport, Sheffield: GB women v Turkey; GB men v Australia (International Challenge Series)

13/14 June - Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh: GB women v Romania; GB men v Croatia

27/28 June - Sportspark, University of East Anglia, Norwich: GB women v France; GB men v Turkey

11/12 July - Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield: GB men v Spain

Each team plays a game on each day of each weekend.