Richomd Volleyball has announced a community-led partnership with Italian Serie A club Verona Volley Femminile.

The agreements will lead to exchange visits between players and coaches.

Samuele Zambon (President of Verona Volley), said: “Our partnership with Richmond Volleyball is based on establishing solid principles for a long term relationship between our two clubs.

"Sharing of knowledge will support and strengthen Verona Volley Femminile."

David Rijvers (Chairman of Richmond Volleyball), commented: "We are very proud to form this partnership with Verona Volley and excited to welcome the first exchange next summer (July 2010) with the ‘Rising Stars’ Volleyball Tournament.

"Richmond Volleyball has strong links with the local Italian community in London and is one of the biggest supporters of the La Lega. It’s estimated that 40,000 Italians are of the Local London Community (2001 cereus)."

Richmond men hold onto second place with London Knights and Wessex in last weekend’s National League Division Two double home header following a 3-1 win over Brentwood but had no luck on Sunday as Leicester VC win 3-1.

In a tightly-contested game, Richmond gained their revenge on Brentwood who knocked them out of the National Cup two weeks ago.

Richmond got out to an early 17-12 lead and managed to finish the game set on top. The visitors battled back in the 2nd set in another close set (24-26).

Richmond refused to give Brentwood space on the net and 5 kill blocks helped the home side stretch their lead to 19-14 and closed the set 25-21.

In the 4th set Richmond went down 8-4 but with some clever serving and great defensive by R. Bachor the home side managed to re-imposed themselves on the game taking control 13-11.

Richmond stepped up their game in the final stages of the game getting the lead up to five points taking the win 25-21.

Final Result: Richmond Volleyball [3] v Brentwood Partners [1]

Set Results: 25-23; 24-26; 25-21; 25-22 Richmond's Player of the Match: R.Bachor

Sunday’ game saw Richmond play Leicester at home and the visitors put together an excellent display to tame Richmond’s hitting power.

The home started very brightly in the 1st set 25-21 but them Leicester tall physical presence matched Richmond and Richmond struggled to past the block and their very well organised defense.

Richmond bravely tried to close the game in the 3rd set on powerful jump serves from the Ukraine International Y. Zdorovcov but too many team errors cost the home side the match.

Credit has to be given to the visitors who battled hard and in the end won a comfortable victory.

Final Result: Richmond Volleyball [1] v Leicester VC [3]

Set Results: 25-21; 19-25; 20-25; 13-25

Richmond's Player of the Match: G.Scatigna-Gianfagna

Team List: P.Ceglowski, G.Scatigna-Gianfagna (cpt), M.Ghelfi, D.Cleather, T.Lasocki, L.Tomášek, T.Stepien; M.Sokolowski, Y. Zdorovcov, A.Kornilov, R.Bachor, E.Bardi, A.De Souza, D.Rijvers (Coach)

Richmond U18 girls achieved 2nd placed in the 1st round of the u18 National Junior Volleyball Championships and qualified with Southampton and Academy of Beach Sports to the next round having won 1 match 2-0 and lost 2-1 at Marymount International School (Kingston).

The Richmond coach commented: "I’m very proud of these girls having been selected from the successful Richmond and Kingston Schools Sport Partnership Volleyball programme delivered by Richmond Volleyball and Marymount International School.

"The girls will now travel to Ashcombe (Dorking) on Sunday 10 January 2010 in the hope of qualifying for the quarter finals of the National Junior u18 Championship Finals."

Final Standings (1st) Southampton, (2nd) Richmond VC, (3rd) Academy of Beach Sports (4th) Epsom VC.

Richmond U16 Boys also hosted the 1st round of the u16 National Junior volleyball Championships but unfortunately failed to qualify competing against Thomas Moore (last years y15 National Finalists), Ernst Belvin and Ashcombe.

Final Standings (1st) Thomas Moore, (2nd) Ernst Belvin, (3rd) Ashcombe VC, (4th) Richmond VC, (5th) Wipps (Waltham Forest)

Next weekend Richmond u16 Girls will hosting the 1st of Group E at Tiffin Boys School and will challenge Camden School for Girls, Nottingham Rockets, and Tendring VC. Richmond U18 Boys will be traveling away to Chadwell Heath School (Essex) in the 1st round of Group D challenging Chadwell Heath School, London Oratory School and Whipps (Waltham Forest).