Talks will decide National Volleyball Centre’s future at Kettering Arena Sports Centre following KLV news

Volleyball England has confirmed it will open talks over the National Volleyball Centre (NVC) remaining at the Kettering Arena sports centre, following news that Kettering Leisure Village (KLV) is to continue to operate.

KLV’s sports arena has played host to the NVC since November 2009, but the future seemed bleak after operator Compass deemed the complex to be no longer financially viable.

Due to close today (July 3), KLV’s future has been secured until at least September 4 – the Kettering Conference Centre facility will close for the time being.

As a result of the newly-brokered deal, Volleyball England is now looking to ‘open dialogue with Phoenix’ over continuing to run its 2023-24 season competitions at KLV.

Jonathan Moore, Volleyball England’s strategic manager for major events, said: “We welcome the fantastic news that the majority of the Kettering Leisure Village is going to remain open.

“We understand it has been a difficult time for the local residents and the local community, so it’s pleasing that such a valuable community asset will now not be closing.

“From our perspective, we will now sit down with the new leisure operator to discuss options for the National Volleyball Centre to remain at the venue in Kettering, and we will update our members in due course.”

Compass has now extended its tenancy until September, after which Phoenix Leisure Management – the owners and previous operators – will take back the venue.