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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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