Essex Rebels aces serve up silver for England

Three Essex Rebels volleyball stars ran out for England and won silver at the 2026 British Volleyball Federation Invitational Cup.

Student sport stars Tara King, Lilla Whittaker and Heidi Bright were all part of the England women’s squad which travelled to Ireland for the international tournament, helping the team bring home a silver medal.

The competition was particularly memorable for University of Essex Class of 2026 graduate Tara, who earned her first senior England cap.

It was also a senior international debut for Heidi, who had previously represented England at under-22 level, while Lilla added to her previous senior international appearances. 

Pictures by @Sport_narrative.

The trio are all part of the Essex Rebels volleyball programme, which combines high-level competition with opportunities for players to study at the University of Essex.

Tara said: “The weekend was a wonderful way to have my first cap in the senior squad.

“I was really pleased to have my family there to watch and grateful for everyone who was at home watching the livestream. It meant a lot to me.

“The connection we built throughout the four games left us all excited for the next tournament and we hope to come back for gold next year!”

The silver medal continues a strong period for Essex Rebels volleyball, with players from the programme increasingly making their mark at international level.

Tara graduated from Essex this summer after combining her studies with representing the Rebels, making her senior England debut another milestone in a memorable year.

The British Volleyball Federation Invitational Cup brought together international teams for four games across the weekend, with England producing a strong showing to finish second.

Tara, Lilla and Heidi now return to the Rebels with further international experience under their belts as preparations continue for the new volleyball season.