The picturesque city of Guarda recently had the honor of hosting the annual National Gira-Volei Meeting (Encontro Nacional de Gira-Volei) for the very first time. Held on May 31 and June 1 at the sprawling Urban Park of the Rio Diz, the event was an outstanding success. It drew approximately one thousand aspiring young athletes to “the Highest City in the Country,” a title Guarda earns from its elevation of 1,056 meters. Accompanied by thousands of family members and educators, the gathering surpassed all expectations, providing a substantial boost to the local economy.
According to Leonel Salgueiro, Technical Director of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation (FPV), this culminating phase of the competition represented “one of the most significant moments ever experienced by the Federation.” He highlighted that the National Meeting served as the grand finale for numerous social, municipal, and regional stages conducted across Portugal throughout the year. Salgueiro explained that Guarda was a fitting choice due to Gira-Volei`s growing presence in the region, the excellent facilities offered by the Urban Park, and the unwavering support and cooperation from the municipality.
Organizing this prestigious event was a long-held ambition for the Guarda Volleyball Association. Nuno Lemos, the Association`s President and a pivotal figure in advancing Gira-Volei in the region, expressed immense satisfaction, stating that it fulfilled “a desire of many years and a goal of our late Mário Sucena, which came true this year.” Lemos assured that the organizers made every effort to ensure an unforgettable experience for all participants, a commitment confirmed by overwhelmingly positive feedback. He also underscored the event`s considerable economic impact, noting a significant surge in activity for the accommodation, catering, and retail sectors over the weekend.
Rui Melo, a councilman for the Guarda City Council, who had previously urged local businesses to seize the “business opportunity” presented by the event, estimated that the city welcomed “more than five thousand visitors, including athletes, family members, and teachers.” This influx contributed to a palpable sense of dynamism and economic vibrancy. Since its inaugural edition in Figueira da Foz in 2000, the National Gira-Volei Meeting has journeyed through various Portuguese locations, including four times in Castelo de Vide, five times in Oeiras, twice in Portimão, and single instances in cities like Viana do Castelo, Maia, and Viseu.
Gira-Volei: A Portuguese Sports Development Triumph
Introduced in 1998 by the Portuguese Volleyball Federation (FPV), Gira-Volei originated as a foundational volleyball project for children and teenagers aged eight to fifteen. Fast forward 27 years, and it has blossomed into one of Portugal`s foremost sports promotion initiatives, mobilizing an impressive annual participation of over 100,000 young individuals.
What began as a simple incentive to introduce the sport has transformed into a vibrant and galvanizing phenomenon for the nation`s youth. With its core characteristics of being “easy, fun, competitive, and inclusive,” Gira-Volei rapidly disseminated throughout the country, successfully reaching areas where traditional sports participation is often challenging due to limited infrastructure or lack of sports clubs.
Throughout its two and a half decades of existence, Gira-Volei has not only nurtured talented athletes, with some even progressing to the national team, but has also spurred the formation of new volleyball clubs. Complementing this, Gira+ was subsequently developed by the Federation for participants over 15, providing a continuing pathway for young Gira athletes. The program’s simplified 2×2 game methodology, thoughtfully adapted to the technical and physical capabilities of its participants, maintains its “easy, fun, competitive, and inclusive” allure. This ensures sustained interest among young people and guarantees participation for everyone, irrespective of their socioeconomic background, gender, height, or physical appearance.
Gira-Volei plays an indispensable role in the physical and motor development of children, especially during their formative school years. Beyond athletic training, it champions a holistic approach by promoting healthy lifestyles, social inclusion, equal opportunities, and the development of crucial life skills such as teamwork, leadership, resilience, and self-confidence. Initially launched with around 70 centers, Gira-Volei has seen remarkable expansion and now boasts over 1,800 hubs spread across more than 300 Portuguese municipalities.
This extensive growth has been largely attributed to strategic partnerships with school clusters and local authorities. These collaborations enable the sport to penetrate regions less familiar with volleyball and actively stimulate the creation of new clubs. Widely regarded by many school officials and Gira-Volei center leaders as Portugal`s largest initiation and incentive program for sports, Gira-Volei has been fundamental in establishing volleyball as the second most practiced sport in Portuguese schools, effectively spreading a passion for the game throughout every corner of the country.
