A Defining Decade: Alex Porter’s Legacy at Essex Volleyball
After eleven transformative years as Men’s Head Coach and Head of Volleyball, Alex Porter stepped down from the University of Essex and Essex Rebels, whose exceptional leadership has elevated Essex volleyball to become one of the premier volleyball programmes in the UK for both women’s and men’s teams.
Building Excellence
When Alex Porter began his journey at Essex in 2014, he arrived as the programme’s first-ever performance coach. What followed was a complete transformation of volleyball culture that established Essex as a powerhouse in university volleyball.
Under Porter’s leadership, Essex volleyball teams have amassed an impressive collection of silverware: three BUCS National Championships, seven BUCS Premier South titles, four BUCS Premier South Silver medals, and four Volleyball England National Student Cup victories. His leadership reached a significant milestone in 2019 when the men’s team made university history by becoming the first University of Essex team in any sport to capture a BUCS National Championship.
Historic Final Season
The 2024-2025 season has been the most successful for Volleyball at Essex. In a fitting conclusion to his remarkable tenure, Porter led the Essex Rebels men’s volleyball team to make history by claiming first place in the national Dynamik Super League for the first time, following up with a silver medal at the SuperLeague Final 4 Weekend. The men’s team also won the National Cup for the first time in 2025 in a nail-biting comeback victory.
The crowning achievement came at BUCS Big Wednesday 2025, where both men’s and women’s volleyball teams secured gold medals – contributing to Essex’s unprecedented haul of three national championships at the tournament, marking “undoubtedly the finest moment in sport in its entire 60-year history.”
Athlete-Centred Development
Coach Porter’s philosophy has always extended beyond wins and losses. His approach embodies the athlete-centered model that focuses on individual athlete development and progress. Of the 152 athletes under his guidance at Essex, 30 earned their first National Team cap after joining the programme, while 26 have gone on to sign professional contracts.
His commitment to mentorship has been equally impactful. Since 2020, Porter has mentored Coach Chinery from volunteer status through two promotions to the position of Women’s Head Coach. This dedication to nurturing coaching talent continues through his work with two young coaches in 2024, expanding their knowledge and providing valuable experience.
A Lasting Impact
As Alex Porter departs the University of Essex and Essex Rebels, he leaves behind a programme that has reached the pinnacle of success in UK volleyball. From establishing a winning culture to developing the next generation of players and coaches, his influence has permanently changed Essex volleyball.
Director of Sports, Dave Parry, shared a few words regarding Coach Porter’s journey at Essex:
Alex’s achievements cannot be underestimated. Arriving at the University of Essex at the end of 2013 and joining the fledgling performance sport programme to start a brand new focus sport at an institution without any previous reputation in volleyball with a task of making Essex one of the leading centres for the sport in country was a big ask. What has followed over the last 11 plus years has been nothing short of remarkable. Three British Universities national championships, a Volleyball England national super league title and national cup victory, and multiple national student cup victories have placed Essex as now perhaps the leading volleyball programme in the country. There is no doubt that this relentless progression has come about as a direct result of Alex’s know-how, athlete-centred mindset, and ceaseless determination, and he should be immensely proud of his contribution to advancing the sport of volleyball both at the University, and also nationally, as the trail blazing work he has done here has led to elevated standards across the country. My personal thanks, and on behalf of the University go to Alex, and we wish him happiness and success in his future endeavours.
Ahead of his departure from the Essex, Coach Porter had the following to say:
When we launched the volleyball program at the University of Essex 12 season ago, we were a BUCS Division 2 team with a dream of creating something special. Today, as I step away from the role of Head Coach, I look back with pride, not only for the trophies, but for the people who have been on this journey with me. We together created something special that will continue to change the sport in the UK.
To the 166 men and women who said yes to becoming an Essex Rebel/Blade, thank you for trusting me with your journey, you made this program what it is. You will always be my daughters volleyball uncles and aunties.
To the fans, staff, fellow coaches, and administrators who believed in us, thank you for helping this vision grow season after season.
After 33 years involved in sport it’s time to reflect and spend some time with my family before the next volleyball adventure.
The University of Essex and Essex Rebels extend their deepest gratitude to Coach Porter for his dedication and passion that have forever changed the landscape of university volleyball in the UK.
We wish Alex Porter the very best in his future endeavours and thank him for his extraordinary contributions to Essex volleyball.
