TENDRING Volleyball Club hosted their first Friends of Tendring night.

The Frinton-based club organised the event with a view to forging contacts within the business community as they look for new partners and sponsors.

It was hailed as a big success by club chairman Alex Porter.

“We had a number of local dignitaries and businesses join us for a celebration of the most successful year in our club’s history,” he said.

“We’re the only club in the district that compete in the highest divisions in their sport.

“And with our top teams travelling as far as Newcastle and Cardiff, the aim of the Friends of Tendring night was to build new connections within the community and find new sponsors.”

Tendring’s women’s team won promotion to the highest division in English volleyball – the Super 8s – last season.

The club’s men’s team finished high in National League division one and won the National Shield.

They also have four other teams competing in regional competitions, with Tendring Heatec winning the Essex League and cup double and Tendring Lions and Tendring Tigers both finishing second in their respective leagues.

England internationals James Baker and Sonny Chaney were among those to meet local business owners to talk about how the club is progressing.