Long-serving Cullen steps down as Hampshire Chair

He has stepped down as chair of the Hampshire Volleyball Association having served in the role for over 10 years.

Ashley oversaw an outdoor tournament for 35 years which ran over three months every Wednesday evening during the summer, attracting nearly 50 teams.

He took his first coaching badge in the 1980s alongside Freda Bussey – who finished two terms on the Volleyball England Board last year – and has been a Team Manager for the England Cadets, as well as serving on the Volleyball England Competitions Working Group.

In his time as a player, Ashley represented and captained Portsmouth and Hampshire and was a member of the Senior England National team, having first pulled on a national jersey at U19 level.

He will still be involved at South Hants Volleyball Club, helping ensured the club is sustainable for the future, but will be sad to give up his Hampshire role due to a diagnosis of anti mag peripheral neuropathy, which limits mobility and impairs balance.

Ashley will also be on hand to help his Hampshire chair successor, Southampton Coach and That Volleyball Guy podcaster Luke Wiltshire, whenever needed.

“I’ve been very lucky during my time in the sport to experience what the “Volleyball family” is all about, where I have made so many friends over the years.” he said. 

“If you reach out to anyone, they will try to help you in a way that I haven’t seen in the other sports I have been involved with. 

“I’m absolutely delighted Luke will be stepping int the role, although, I must confess, it is still a bittersweet moment, having been involved in the sport for so many years. 

“Luke’s reputation precedes him and numbers and achievements don’t lie! When we spoke and he shared some of his ideas, I was simply inspired by what he can and will do for the county, and beyond. 

Also, encouragingly, I know that Luke has local and national support to ensure his new role and the legacy of Hampshire volleyball progresses in the right direction.” 

Ashley started out “late” in the sport, at the age of 17, having previously run the 800m in athletics for Portsmouth, played second XI football for his grammar school and represented Hampshire in tennis.

It was the introduction of a new teacher at his school, Martin Bart, an England and GB level player, who helped him cement a love for volleyball. 

Ashely said: “I’m 6ft 7ins and had a big tennis serve but not much more, so I was never going to make Wimbledon and I love my football and am a keen Pompey season ticket holder but I was, frankly, rubbish. 

“Martin got me thrown out of athletics, tennis and football and I was really miffed at the time, but he eventually convinced me that he wanted to build the school volleyball team around me. 

“He also said that if I followed his training schedule he would get me an England trial for the U19s within a year. So, I trained every morning from 8am until 9am, then again at lunchtime, and again after school. 

“I was quickly promoted to the city squad and played local league and then a variety of local national league clubs. 

“I got in the England  U19 team after getting the trial I was promised and then into the full men’s squad.” 

Pulling England’s colours has “unquestionably” been the highlight of Ashley’s time in volleyball. 

He has found convincing others of the merits of volleyball as one of his biggest challenges.

“My number one highlight was in Athens in 1978, making my full England debut in front of 5,000 crazy fans and on national TV (unheard of at the time in the UK),” he said.

“It was also a memorable moment being Team Manager for England Cadets in 2019 in Denmark. People used to make fun of me as I always puffed out my chest during the national anthem and sang as I could.

“But I get annoyed watching England representatives (mainly at football) who don’t sing or don’t appear to know the words!”  

“Like I had to be convinced in 1976, it can be hard getting people to understand that volleyball is a great sport, but, even more than that, it is a great family... there is nothing like it.” 

“Of course, there are the inevitable injuries ,but this is part of playing any sport ,and it has been tough having to deal with a long-term health condition, which means I can’t travel or coach anymore.” 

Volleyball England’s Chief Executive Charlie Ford has thanked Ashley – who is a former room-mate of Volleyball England’s Performance Beach Coach Luis Bello – for “everything he has given to the sport and community” down the years. 

He added: “Ashley's passion, dedication and tireless work, especially in his role as Hampshire Chair over the last 10 years, has left an indelible mark on the county's volleyball and beyond.”