Hi, my name is Melissie Sutton, live in Crawley and I'm a passionate volleyball player with a dream of representing England at one of Europe's biggest youth volleyball tournaments.

This August, I've been given an incredible opportunity to compete at the 30th Eötvös Cup in Debrecen, Hungary (21–23 August) alongside a talented squad of players aged 15–17 from across the South of England.

Although we'll compete as one team, we each come from different grassroots clubs that have helped us grow as athletes, including South Hants VC, VBDC VC, Farnborough VC, South Bucks VC, and Mavericks VC. Being selected for this team is an honour, and it's a chance to test myself against some of the best young volleyball players in Europe.

Why This Means So Much

The Eötvös Cup is Eastern Europe's largest youth volleyball tournament. In countries like Hungary, volleyball is a major sport, and players often benefit from elite training and high-level competition from a young age.

Playing in this tournament will push me outside my comfort zone, helping me develop my skills, confidence, resilience, and understanding of the game. I'll bring everything I learn back to my club and continue working hard to help raise the standard of volleyball here in England.

Why I'm Fundraising

Unfortunately, there is no central funding for youth volleyball development tours like this, so every player is responsible for covering the costs of travel, accommodation, tournament entry, and other expenses.

I'm fundraising to help make this amazing opportunity possible. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help me take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience and represent my team with pride.

Looking Ahead

This trip is about more than just one tournament. It's about growing as an athlete, learning from some of Europe's strongest teams, and inspiring other young players to believe that opportunities like this are possible through hard work and determination.

If you're unable to donate, sharing my fundraiser with family and friends would mean just as much.

Thank you so much for your kindness, encouragement, and support. Every contribution brings me one step closer to competing in Hungary and making the most of this incredible opportunity.