Scot Audrey Cooper has been named as the new head coach to the Great Britain women's team.

Cooper takes over from Canadian Lorne Sawula who has become the first high-profile casualty of the Olympic funding cuts.

Sawula was in post only two years but already the GB women are hitting above their weight and promising great things for 2012.

Cooper, who has been assistant to Sawula, first played the game at school at Whitburn Academy and went on to play for both Scotland and England at international level.

She played beach volleyball at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where she gained a creditable ninth place finish with English partner Mo Glover.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the GB Women’s Indoor Volleyball Programme and build on the outstanding progress over the last two years," she said.

"We have a committed and gifted group of athletes, who along with myself and an excellent team of support staff are determined to achieve our goals in London 2012."

The GB team will make their European League debut in May.