Claire Harvey & Rainbow Racoons collaborate
28th March 2026
Delivering new LGBTIQ+ sitting volleyball progamme
LEAP Sports is launching a new inclusive sitting volleyball programme in Glasgow, working in partnership with GB Paralympian Claire Harvey, Glasgow LGBTIQ+ volleyball club Rainbow Raccoons, and national partners Scottish Volleyball and Scottish Disability Sport. Sign-up for the programme is here.
Claire captained the Great Britain women’s sitting volleyball team at the London 2012 Paralympics and has earned more than 100 international caps, becoming one of the UK’s most recognised advocates for inclusive sport. She will work with LEAP Sports and the Rainbow Racoons to help introduce more LGBTIQ+ people to the sport and develop new community coaches.
The programme is part of LEAP’s Access to Active initiative, supported by the Get Active Glasgow Fund, which aims to create new pathways into sport for LGBTIQ+ people, particularly in sports where participation has historically been low. The programme is also supported by Scottish Volleyball and Scottish Disability Sport, ensuring strong links into national governing bodies and inclusive sport pathways.
Sitting volleyball is a dynamic and inclusive sport that can be played by both disabled and non-disabled athletes. Through this programme, LEAP aims to introduce more LGBTIQ+ people to the sport while also developing coaching capacity within the community.
The programme will begin with a masterclass delivered by Claire Harvey, who represented Team GB in sitting volleyball at the Paralympic Games and is a long-standing ambassador for inclusive sport, and collaborator with LEAP Sports. Claire will work with members of the Rainbow Racoons and other LGBTIQ+ volleyball players and coaches, sharing her expertise and mentoring participants to develop the skills and confidence to deliver sitting volleyball sessions themselves.
Following the masterclass, these newly supported coaches will run a six-week community sitting volleyball programme with support from Scottish Volleyball and Scottish Disability Sport, welcoming LGBTIQ+ participants and allies to try the sport in a supportive and accessible environment, under Claire’s continued mentorship. The programme will include a friendly sitting volleyball tournament as part of the Qeltic Games, LEAP’s multisport event celebrating inclusive sport in Scotland.
By working closely with Claire Harvey and the Rainbow Racoons, the programme combines elite sporting expertise with grassroots community leadership. Together, the partners aim to build a sustainable pathway for LGBTIQ+ people to discover sitting volleyball, develop skills and connect with the wider volleyball community.
Claire Harvey said “Sitting volleyball is one of the most inclusive sports I know; disabled and non-disabled players, all ages and genders can compete together at a high level. I’m really excited to work with LEAP Sports and the Rainbow Racoons to introduce more LGBTIQ+ people to the sport and help develop new coaches who can continue growing the game within the community and beyond.”
Rainbow Racoon Guillermo Vivas Mateos said “The Rainbow Racoons are passionate about making volleyball a welcoming space for everyone. Working with Claire Harvey and LEAP Sports is a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn new skills and help introduce sitting volleyball to more people in the LGBTIQ+ community.”
Support from Scottish Volleyball will help connect participants into the Scottish Volleyball family including existing clubs and development pathways, ensuring opportunities can continue beyond the programme. Lorna McAvoy, Development Officer from Scottish Volleyball said, “Scottish Volleyball is proud to support this programme alongside LEAP Sports Scotland, Scottish Disability Sport and the Rainbow Raccoons. This programme is a great example of how sitting volleyball can create new opportunities within the game, and we’re pleased to see it being developed in partnership with community clubs. We hope this is a starting point for more people across Scotland to get involved and for sitting volleyball to become a more visible part of the sport.”
SDS CEO Gavin Macleod said, "SDS is delighted to support the exciting Queltic Games in partnership with Leap Sport Scotland and Scottish Volleyball. Claire is a fantastic role model for any young participants attending this unique opportunity, and volleyball can provide a pathway from participation to the Summer Paralympic Games. We wish all athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, involved in the Queltic Games every success.”
LEAP Sports hopes the programme will not only introduce new players to sitting volleyball but also create lasting coaching capacity and inclusive sporting pathways in Glasgow, supported by strong partnerships with community clubs and national governing bodies.
If you are interested in joining the coaching masterclasses, message us at info@leapsports.org
Or you can sign-up to come and try at the weekly sessions here.
