Leon Gouzinis: “I am excited to represent Jersey sport with amazing athletes”

Over £100,000 is set to be distributed to 23 local athletes as part of a new performance scheme helping islanders to excel in their chosen sport.

Jersey Sport this month announced that a total of £103,500 has been allocated to allow the athletes – who compete 11 different sports – to access professional development workshops on the Performance Sport Programme.

One of the athletes set to benefit from the scheme is Leon Gouzinis – whose passion for volleyball was born from lockdown.

The 20-year-old Plymouth University student, who has already gained an England men’s cap, is working towards his dream of playing professionally while completing his final year of a Game Art and Design degree.

Express sat down with Leon to chat about his volleyball ambitions, and how the new funding programme will help him to achieve them…

Can you tell us about your sporting journey so far?

I first started playing volleyball during lockdown in Jersey and was drawn to the amazing community.

I then started my university degree at Falmouth in 2022 playing in the university league, BUCS, and training with Exeter Storm.

Commuting to trainings was challenging and I would often get back to my accommodation in the early morning.

I was rapidly improving at the sport and in the 2023/2024 season, I started playing National League Division 2 with Exeter.

Early in to the season we played against London Superleague Team, Richmond Docklands, in the National Cup, and after a discussion with their coach Marcel Sivak, I was introduced to the England Men’s programme and I started training with them soon after.

By the end of the season, Exeter Storm was promoted to National League Division 1 which was great for the development of the club as we were now exposed to a higher level of play.

Moving into the 2024/2025 season, I have been to Northern Ireland and Scotland for Scrimmage games with the new England U22 squad, and in January I went with England to Luxembourg and achieved my first England Men’s cap.

For the remainder of the season my aim is to help Exeter finish as high on the table as we can.

Did you expect to get this far in your sport?

Transitioning from basketball, at first I was not sure what sport I wanted to focus on, but by the time I was at university, I knew I wanted to play volleyball at a high level.

This was not always an ambition but it was something that slowly grew over time.

What do you love about your sport?

The pace of the game, and how it can change through each rally.

Plus, the alternating seasons of beach and indoor play.

How do you feel about being chosen to benefit from the Performance Sport Programme?

I feel extremely lucky to be a part of the programme and to have so much support.

This has already been a massive help with my travel to fixtures and I am excited to represent Jersey sport with amazing athletes.

How will the programme assist your sporting progress?

Physiotherapy and injury prevention will allow me to train more on the court and in the gym. Without this, I would have to take breaks from training which would impact my play.

It is also assisting me by funding my travel to away games and trainings.

What is your sporting dream?

To play professionally in Europe and to continue representing England whilst playing in international competitions.