“To nearly take a set off the number three team in the world must not be underestimated – last year we wouldn’t have been able to do that, so it just shows the progress that we’ve made.”
Last year it was clear that morale was at an all-time-low, external.
Recent months however, have certainly shown an upturn in fortunes for the team.
The tour to Peru was achieved by combining finances from company sponsorship with that attained through fund raising initiatives, such as a Money for Matches, external cycle ride, which took them from Sheffield to London, external.
In June it was announced that, with the help of Sheffield City Council and a host of local organisations, the team would be able to return to the city for their Olympics preparation, external.
However, with no finance to fund a full-time centralised training programme in the UK, the players will soon head their separate ways and join European clubs for a season of domestic volleyball.
The players are seeing positives in playing as professionals for a second successive season, before rejoining the national squad in May 2012.
“It is unfortunate that we have to part ways, but I think that the success we’ve had this summer just makes every individual that much hungrier to make themselves better,” said Beattie.
“Volleyball is very strong in parts of Europe, so, as individuals, we need to go away this winter and work hard.
“Then, when we come back together we can put all that into team GB and just push forward for the Olympic Games.”