GREAT Britain's number one ranked pairing Lucy Boulton and Denise Johns have signed up to compete in the winter months for National Volleyball League Division One outfit Wessex TeamBath.

The pairing, who retained their Weymouth Beach Volleyball crown last month, are free to play while the World Series takes it seasonal break.

The national beach coach has also insisted that all his GB squad play indoor volleyball throughout the winter to maintain match fitness in preparation for the build up to the Olympics in Beijing next summer.

Boulton and Johns will be based at Bath University and will meet up with the Wessex Team-Bath squad in November.

Wessex Team-Bath coach Ian Loke said: "Lucy and Denise will significantly strengthen the squad and further enhance our chances of winning the English title."

Wessex Team-Bath will begin their campaign on September 15 with an away trip to the City of Wolverhampton.

The club may have to travel with a reduced squad to this fixture as that same weekend sees the conclusion of the beach season with several of their players contracted to make appearances in Blackpool and Belfast.

In another potential blow for Wessex Team-Bath, the National League competitions commission has made a ruling that they should not play home matches at Bath University as the venue falls outside of reasonable travelling distances from their current home venues of Carter College in Poole and Weymouth Sports Club.

Wessex Team-Bath has appealed against the ruling and Volleyball England's Judicial Panel will hear the case towards the end of the month.

Loke said: "If the verdict goes against us it will probably mean that five matches will revert to Poole and Weymouth. If that ends up being the case it would also mean reduced funding for the club as Bath University would withhold their financial support. That is why the club is now looking for potential match sponsors."

It has also been revealed that Loke and American Nancy Dome will share the coaching responsibilities next season at Wessex Team-Bath.

Former England men's player Jure Jankowski was intended to become the club's new head coach but he has now put a stop to the move, preferring to concentrate on junior development in the South West instead.