Erfan Jadidi first got into volleyball in his native Iran at the age of 17. A year later, he moved to the UK and began playing for Warrington Wolves.
He then landed a place at Staffordshire University in 2022, where he started a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and won a scholarship with our High Performance Academy.
It gave Erfan the push to compete at the highest level nationally. In November, he joined the first team at Newcastle Staffs Volleyball Club. The team is part of Volleyball England’s Men’s Super League.
The 22-year-old said: “I’ve played four or five games with them. The most exciting was in Essex. We travelled from Staffordshire University for that. It was the perfect game - apart from us losing.”
Erfan, whose position is outside hitter, found out about the High Performance Academy when he was looking to join a volleyball team in Staffordshire. He applied and was offered a place.
“The support has included a personal trainer, who’s been really helpful,” he said. “The most helpful thing has been having somebody who supports you and pushes you to do your best.”
The HPA programme helps talented athletes and coaches through offering bursaries and bespoke development plans. It includes strength and conditioning sessions, nutrition advice, sports therapy and much more.
Although Erfan has loved his time at Staffordshire University, he recently relocated to Oxford so he could pursue his goal of becoming a pilot. He now attends a flight school full-time and plans to continue his links with Volleyball England.
Erfan added: “When I finish the flying course, I will be qualified for a job as an airline pilot.
“It’s always been my dream. In my family, there’s a tradition when there’s a new-born baby for all the family to get together. They then call you the name of a job, such as doctor. Mine was pilot.”
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