Morph Bowes looking for medals in Rio

Morph Bowes is currently Head Coach for the Netherlands Women’s Beach Volleyball Squad, which qualified 2 women’s teams for the Rio Olympics – A fantastic achievement by NEVOBO, the Dutch Volleyball organisation and one that is, in no small part, down to Morph.

Morph, originally hailing from Greenock, played Volleyball for Scotland and England and played professionally in Belgium before concentrating on Beach Volleyball. He played on the World Tour with Jake Sheaf, Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki before hanging his playing shorts up and turning to coaching.

He started as assistant coach to the GB Beach Volleyball Programme and ended up as Head Coach to Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin (now Miedzybrodzki) as they took on the World Tour as they ultimately qualified for and played at the Olympics in London 2012.

After this he was offered the Head Coach position for the Dutch Women’s Beach Volleyball Squad, which he took and has been seeing great results with their first Grand Slam title in 2013, the European title in 2014, and ultimately with 2 teams qualifying for Rio – a fantastic achievement.

Dutch squad showing their appreciation to Morph just after their qualification to Rio

Morph has always been there to help Scottish Volleyball. In 2014 he came to deliver a Beach Volleyball coaching workshop and spoke about his philosophies and approach at St Andrews University, followed by taking a session on the West Sands.

Morph delivering on West Sands, St Andrews

After Rio he is standing down from his position with the Netherlands and is “looking for a new challenge”. Well done Morph and enjoy Rio. We’ll be watching and supporting you.

Colin Paterson