TN’s Super 8s squad so Full of talented siblings
THIS Christmas the Fullerton family could be forgiven for decking the halls with boughs of volley as sporting siblings Paige and Nathan headed home from another term on Tyneside with tales of sporting glory.
Two of England’s most talented volleyball stars have lit up courts across the UK this season as members of Team Northumbria’s all-conquering Super 8s squads.
They have done so at the same time as juggling full-time degrees on opposite sides of the city they have come to call home.
Paige is a student at Northumbria University while brother Nathan is a Newcastle University undergraduate - a situation which takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level when the two institutions clash for the Stan Calvert Cup each year.
Paige said: “It is amazing to have a brother who shares the same passion.
“I don’t think there has been a time in our careers when we have not been in the same city playing volleyball so it is normal to me.
“The benefit of being around each other so much is we get to see each other grow in so many different ways and to have someone constantly by your side and motivating you is an amazing feeling .
“However, Nathan and I are completely different.
“I think the most annoying habit Nathan has is he is just too relaxed he is never in a rush to do anything and loves to avoid my calls because it is probably me telling him to hurry up!”
Both Paige and Nathan are making rapid progress for club and country under the expert tutelage of TN’s head coach David Goodchild (pictured right).
The pair both benefit from being part of the groundbreaking Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) - the Newcastle-based, Sport England-backed organisation which supports more than 400 talented sportsmen and women in further and higher education.
Nathan said: “I became a TASS athlete in my first year at university after I made England’s junior team.
“Our national governing body actively encourages potential students to attend universities with (or close to) TASS centres so they can access a range of support services. “The integrated support services are similar to what you would expect from a professional sports team and the friendly staff work together to create a database on each athlete.
“The range of support from TASS complements the student athlete lifestyle and helps me to aim for success in volleyball without affecting my studies. Trying to access the same level of support independently would be too costly and difficult to manage.”
That is a message echoed by Paige, who admitted TASS has helped her to prioritise the various demands associated with playing elite sport at the same time as studying for a fulltime degree.
She added: “Having a physiotherapist on hand - and seeing them unlimited times - is perfect for someone like me who trains every day.
“The TASS community is amazing to be a part of.
“Meeting other student athletes who are on the same path as me and wanting to reach the highest level of their sport is inspirational.
“It gives me the motivation to achieve my own goals.
“Without the support of TASS I would find it difficult to juggle my studies and volleyball.
“The support I have had over the last three years has been tremendous and has made me a more organised person.”
Nathan agreed. “Without the constant mentor support I get from the TASS lifestyle coach I would find it tough on an off the court.
“There are a lot of unavoidable clashes which arise between my studies and volleyball - when the going gets tough the guidance available is second to none.”
After helping Team Northumbria to the top of both the men’s and women’s Super 8s tables this season, both Fullertons deserve their Christmas break.
Paige explained: “Our typical Christmas Day is having a huge breakfast, then opening presents.
“I have a pretty big family in London so every year we rent out a hall and have a huge dinner.”
Nathan added: “We usually end up playing dominoes, dancing and singing karaoke - but there is definitely no volleyball!”