PVL: Volleyball Growing At Good Pace In India, Says Bengaluru Torpedoes' Thomas Heptinstall

Australia's Thomas Heptinstall played basketball for nearly 10 years, along with cricket and tennis before zeroing in on volleyball. He has been drafted in by Bengaluru Torpedoes for the third edition of the Prime Volleyball League in Chennai

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 22 February 2024 7:41 pm

Thomas Heptinstall (right) in action for Bengaluru Torpedoes during the Prime Volleyball League 2024 in Chennai. Photo: Prime Volleyball League

Bengaluru Torpedoes missed out on the trophy last year in the second edition of the Prime Volleyball League. Led by head Coach David Lee, the Torpedoes are vying to win their first title this year in the ongoing third edition in Chennai. To help them in this endeavour, the franchise has roped in Australia's all rounder Thomas Heptinstall. (PVL Tournament Guide | More Volleyball News)

Heptinstall's journey into the sport began when he was 12 years old, with indoor beach volleyball, because of his parents. "My parents used to play when I was young, so I naturally found a connect with the sport. So, one day, I decided to try out the sport, and since then it just stuck with me."

Australia's Thomas Heptinstall in action for Bengaluru Torpedoes during the Prime Volleyball League 2024 in Chennai. Photo: Prime Volleyball League

Before selecting the sport, Heptinstall tried out playing basketball for nearly 10 years, along with cricket and tennis. "But I think volleyball is perfect for me," he said.

Speaking on the level of the sport back home, the 25-year-old said that there is a lot of potential in the players. "We are definitely still more beach-based and I would like for us to get indoor. But we have a lot of talented players coming through so we’ve got a lot of potential there," he said.

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At present, Heptinstall is enjoying his time at the Torpedoes, despite the franchise suffering a shock upset loss at the hands of Delhi Toofans last week. "The team is really friendly and the players are very supportive. Anything I need, they are always there for me. On the court as well, super supportive team and I am very happy with it," he said.

On being asked about the level of Indian volleyball, the Australian star said that the country is growing at the correct pace and predicted a big future for the sport in the country. "I think Indian volleyball is developing well at the moment and at a good pace. What they are doing here is really good and it will grow really fast this way," he signed off.

The third edition of Prime Volleyball League is being broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD and HD, Sony Ten 3 SD and HD (Hindi) and Sony Ten 4 SD and HD (Tamil and Telugu) TV channels in India. PVL 2024 is also being live streamed on the Sony LIV app and website in India.