FIVB Coaching Course in England described as 'best ever'

NI Youth Women's coach Graham Bell attende the FIVB Level II Coaching Course that the English Volleyball Association ran. It was described by the head FIVB Instructor as the best he had ever participated in.

The glowing praise came from veteran FIVB Instructor Gustavo Meczyk, who said “Everything was perfect: the accommodations, the organization, the gym, the class, the group, the restaurant. Whatever we needed to make a good course.”

The course ran from August 17-30 in Norwich, with Meczyk and Sue Gozansky instructing the class.

The course is part of a broader FIVB strategy to help England prepare for the 2012 London Olympic Games by furthering the development of Volleyball through the education of officials and other projects for coaches and athletes.

The FIVB is very satisfied with the feedback received from our FIVB Instructors, who all mentioned what an extremely successful two weeks it was.

“I was glad to be a part of the big changes occurring at the English Volleyball Association to develop the sport in their country,” Meczyck added. “The course in England was the best course I have taken part in.”

NI's Graham Bell said after the course "The 2 week course for me was amazing, even though on the 2nd day I had broken my finger and could not participate in a lot of the practical sessions. The course itself coverd a lot on stats and the pyscological side of volleyball and how to physically prepare to team to get the best performances which has really now stepped up my thinking and professionalism as a coach. The biggest thing I take away from the course is the people I meet and the many discussions we had at lunches and free time, mainly about how we coach and things we would like to see done better. Among the people on the course where Audrey Cooper the Great Britain Olympic team Head Coach, and Gordon Mayfor the Head Coach of JT Thunders a Pro Team in Japan, he also coached the American Student team to Gold in the student games, I learnt so much of everyone on the course and ever participate has giving me contact details and open invitations to come see them and there teams, something that I am very keen on taken each and everyone of them up on to continue my development as a coach."

The FIVB intends to support the organization of such courses on a yearly basis in the UK to meet the need for more FIVB-certified coaches there, and will assist the National Federation as much as we can to further the development of Volleyball in the run-up to the Olympics and in the years beyond.