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In this episode of Digging Deeper, I’m joined by Nick Heckford, a man whose passion for volleyball and refereeing has carried him on an incredible journey from local courts in Poole, Dorset, all the way to the biggest stages in the sport. At the time of recording, Nick was speaking to me from the Philippines at three o’clock in the morning, where he was working as a Challenge Referee at the Men’s World Championships — a true sign of his dedication to the game.

Nick’s story began when his wife encouraged him to give volleyball a try. What started as a bit of fun quickly turned into a fascination with the rule book, a whistle, and a new role in the sport. Within just seven years, Nick progressed from refereeing in local leagues to becoming an international referee, officiating at the Olympic Games, the World League, the VNL, and the World Championships. It’s a journey that reflects not just opportunity, but a mindset rooted in growth, learning, and an enduring love for the game.

In our conversation, Nick reflects on what it takes to referee at the very highest level and why he treats every single match as a chance to learn something new, regardless of whether it’s a local league game or the Olympic stage. We also explore his work as the lead of the Officials Working Group, where he is shaping the future of refereeing in the UK, and his deep commitment to raising standards across every level of the game.

Nick also gives us fascinating insights into the recent changes to the rules, sharing what they mean for the sport and offering his vision for “smooth refereeing” — a philosophy that prioritises letting the game flow, creating longer rallies, and making volleyball even more exciting for players and spectators alike.

As always, the episode is packed with reflections, stories, and insights, before we wrap things up with a fun game of This or That. This is a conversation that captures not only the journey of one of the UK’s most respected referees, but also the passion and vision that continue to shape the sport today.

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As part of Inclusion Week, this special episode of Digging Deeper hears from a true volleyball pioneer — someone championing parts of our sport that too often don’t get a voice.

Rajinder Singh shares reflections from his 40+ years in volleyball, beginning with his early days in Bedford, watching his parents and uncles play for their local community team, before going on to compete across the London leagues. A self-confessed volleyball addict, Rajinder threw himself into the game with passion and persistence.

In this episode, Rajinder opens up about deeply personal experiences of both direct and indirect discrimination — how he navigated those challenges, grew stronger, and turned them into fuel for his mission of championing inclusion within volleyball, particularly through his work with GNG Bedford.

He also offers practical advice for clubs: why they should reflect the demographics of their communities, how to celebrate diversity meaningfully, and the small but powerful changes that can make everyone feel welcome in our sport.

A true legend, an inspiration, and a story you won’t want to miss.

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In this Heritage Show episode, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Gordon Neale OBE — a true giant of British volleyball and a pioneer of inclusive sport.

Gordon shares how his journey began in the Army, playing volleyball over a net strung between two cars in Greece. From there, he went on to play in London and the National League in Essex before establishing a formal volleyball programme for the Army. He reflects on the challenges he faced embedding the sport into military life and how it developed over time.

We then explore Gordon’s incredible role in bringing sitting volleyball to the UK, sparked by a magazine article that led him to support individuals who wanted to play. A passionate advocate for inclusive sport, Gordon discusses the early barriers he faced, the vital support of the national governing body, and the pride of taking teams to international competitions — including a memorable trip to Las Vegas.

Gordon also shares insights from his time as a sitting volleyball referee, including officiating at two Paralympic Games, as well as his leadership roles across Volleyball England, the British Volleyball Federation, and World ParaVolley.

Celebrating 50 years in the sport, Gordon reflects on receiving his OBE, multiple Hall of Fame inductions, and a lifetime of service to volleyball.

An inspiring conversation with a man who has given so much to the game — you won’t want to miss this one!

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