Just a few short years ago, playing at an Olympic Games was never even on the distant horizon for Lynne Beattie, a player who had taken up volleyball relatively late but next summer she will captain Great Britain.

It is a journey that has taken her all over Europe. After moving from Eaglesham to Sheffield to join the newly-formed GB training squad under head coach Lorne Sawula, she has since played a season in Slovenia with Calcit Kamnik, played professionally in both Italy and Germany and is currently at Spanish Superliga side Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.

Playing at the top level in Spain will give her the perfect preparation to lead the GB team in their historic hour.

Only two British players have ever played at an Olympic Games before - fellow-Scot Audrey Cooper, the current GB women's head coach, and England's Amanda Glover - who raised their own funds to compete in Atlanta when beach volleyball made its debut.

Beattie, 25, has already learned about funding issues after the plug was pulled on the GB women's team last year and the players have had to raise much of their own finance to enable them to take up their place, something that would be unheard of in other host countries.

But whatever trials she has had to endure as part of the GB team, Beattie has always played the game with a smile on her face.

Cooper saw her as a natural leader for her squad when she took over from Sawula as head coach and she has not disappointed and has been a significant factor in the team reaching new heights.

"Each experience has been invaluable in its own way, being exposed to different players, learning from different coaches and dealing with different pressures and situations," she stresses.

"Every season I face new challenges, from being the only English speaker in the team, to fighting for a starting six position in the team.

"Each of these challenges has made me stronger mentally and a better player physically.

"These years of experience have also taught me that you must give yourself time to adapt to your new surroundings, lifestyle, culture and environment, so this year I have been very patient with all of the above and have settled in nicely.   

"Pre-season training has gone really well. I am being worked hard in the gym and on court and believe this will be a great environment to play in for my final season leading up to the Olympic Games.

"After this season, I want to be in the shape of my life. I want to be physically, mentally, technically and tactically better than ever before and I think playing in this league every week will allow me to reach my potential as a player and be the best I can possibly be come July 2012.   

"I have always been attracted to the Spanish League because of the high-level volleyball but also because the speed of the game out here suits me. The weather of course is an added bonus!" 

Beattie has already had a dress-rehearsal of what to expect. Last summer the GB team played test matches at Earls Court - the venue for the Olympic volleyball - and suddenly the realisation of how close the dream was, hit home.

"Playing at Earls Court in July this year brought our Olympic journey to life," she continues.

"The opportunity to experience our venue was amazing. It was like a dress rehearsal for us. It made us appreciate what all the hard work is for and made us want our Olympic dream even more.

"It made it real. It had finally sunk in that the London 2012 Olympic Games were just around the corner.

"In all honesty, this was a slightly overwhelming feeling at first, but in the end, after sampling the protocols and playing on the court, it was almost like we were ready."

RM

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