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Welcome back to The Heritage Show! After a well-deserved summer break, we’re recharged and ready to dive into another incredible season celebrating the people who’ve shaped volleyball in the UK.

In this episode, I sit down with true volleyball legend Freda Bussey, MBE – a powerhouse who’s been growing the game for over 40 years.

We explore Freda’s journey from her early playing days representing England on the world stage, to her time as a PE teacher at Ashcombe School, where she began coaching and eventually playing for the very team she led. We talk about the unique role of the player-coach, her long-standing work as a coach tutor for Volleyball England, and her passion for supporting new coaches.

Freda is the founding force behind Ashcombe Volleyball Club, established in 1976 – a club that’s still going strong today. She shares her wisdom on running a successful club, the commercial mindset it takes, and how the iconic Ashcombe Grass Tournament helped fund national league success and title-winning teams.

Still deeply involved in the sport, you’ll now find Freda refereeing at the University of Sussex with her husband, and continuing to make an impact through her roles in the Sussex and South East Volleyball Associations.

Awarded an MBE in 2013 for her services to volleyball, Freda is the definition of a doer – someone who simply gets things done and makes things happen.

A brilliant conversation with a true volleyball icon.
Let’s get into it.

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