Sara Dias is a volleyball coach and the founder of Manchester Volleyball Academy (MVA), an independent programme built to create real development pathways for players in the UK.

She began by creating a structured training programme to support university students who lacked consistent, high-quality coaching outside of their institutions. That initiative quickly evolved into MVA — now a growing academy supporting athletes across multiple age groups.

Sara’s vision is to make volleyball more popular and accessible across the UK, starting at grassroots level. She is actively introducing the sport into schools through after-school programmes, including her work at Manchester Communication Academy, where she is building early engagement and long-term player development.

She is also committed to reducing barriers to entry in the sport. Through MVA, Sara has developed initiatives to support U16 athletes from financially challenging backgrounds, alongside creating internship opportunities that open pathways into coaching, management, and sport.

At the performance level, she is focused on raising the standard of volleyball in Manchester by bringing in external talent and building a more competitive environment. Her coaching is structured, intense, and centred around real-game performance.

Alongside MVA, Sara is developing OFFCOURT, a platform and brand focused on supporting and showcasing athletes beyond the game.

As both Head Coach and founder, she leads all areas of MVA, with a long-term goal of building a system that grows the sport, strengthens volleyball culture in the UK, and creates real opportunities for those who are often overlooked.