Lynne Beattie is finding that to become a top-level international volleyball player, you have to put in the mileage, both on court and off it.

Just a few short years ago, she was chasing a volleyball around a Glasgow school gym hall for the first time. Now, she is chasing the Olympic dream.

Her raw talent was evident as a newcomer to the sport and it was not long before she reached what she thought was the pinnacle of her career, a Scotland debut against England in Glasgow.

Now 23, new horizons have opened up. An established part of the Team GB programme building towards 2012, she captained the team in their European League matches in Edinburgh in early summer.

Now, she is breaking new ground after taking up a professional contract to play with top Slovenian side Calcit Kamnik.

It would have been unheard of two or three years ago for a Scot to be earning a living playing volleyball in Slovenia, but such has been the success of the Great Britain programme, players are now scattered across Europe and beyond.

After a year training together in Sheffield, it was always the intention to farm players out to professional teams in Europe and Beattie has been chancing her arm in the Slovenian League.

She is part of a new-look team which also includes American middle player Emillie Toone, part of the US development squad who stands 2.02 metres tall and shares an apartment with the Scot.

“Slovenia is treating me very well so far,” Beattie states, “Training is going well and at a good level.

“I’m not quite up to scratch on the lingo yet, but I’m learning a few words here and there.

“The coach doesn’t speak much English but the team all speak perfect English so can translate for me. They say most of it is swear words so it’s probably best I don’t understand!

“Calcit Kamnik came 3rd in the Slovenian National Championships last season and so qualified for MEVZA Inter-League.

“This league has some of the top teams from Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia and Austria and so is a very high level of competition with some great opportunities to travel Europe.

“It is the first year this club has qualified for MEVZA so it will be a big challenge for us. We are also involved in the Slovenian National League, Slovenian Cup and also the European Challenge Cup, so it’s a very busy match schedule.

“Our starting six this year consists of six new players who have never played together before so is taking some time to gel but it is definitely coming together slowly but surely.

“I am enjoying being a starting six player and relishing the opportunity to play at such a high level week-in week-out.

“After playing with the GB girls everyday for two years, it was tough at the start to get used to the new training environment, the different systems of play and a new setter, but I am definitely finding my feet and really enjoy playing here.

“With regards to the club, I am well looked after. There is a good set-up of support staff and we are provided with good kit, including trainers and kneepads.

“We get one free meal everyday at a nice hotel five minutes walk from where we live. The hall where we train and play matches is great, and I live five minutes from the gym where I have free access to a weights gym and leisure facilities.”

If all goes well, Beattie could even find herself playing against her American flat-mate in London in 2012, but Toone is more realistically looking at 2016 if she continues to progress.

With GB having qualified for 2012 as hosts, Beattie has a head start, but she is looking no further forward than enhancing her reputation on foreign courts.  

“In December, we are due to play Greek team Iraklis Thessaloniki, both home and away in the European Challenge Cup,” she points out.

“This is undoubtedly one of the top teams in Greece so again a great opportunity to play at the highest level. I’m sure we will experience a very hostile crowd environment there, so should be good!”

RM
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