Partners involved in the ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it (PVGW) 2.0’ project recently convened in Dublin. The primary objective of this meeting was to examine the final report of the educational programme, presented by Aurélien Favre from the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE), alongside other project deliverables. Subsequent discussions focused on the long-term impact and legacy of the initiative.
A survey distributed among the four participating National Federations – Austria, Iceland, Ireland, and Romania – evaluated how coaches and teachers perceived the educational materials developed for the project. The feedback indicated a very high level of satisfaction, scoring 4.35 on a scale of zero to five. Respondents particularly noted using the materials with children aged 9 to 14. They praised the materials for offering tools that support a progressive development approach, their adaptability to various skill levels and age groups, their effectiveness in encouraging active participation from children, and their ability to facilitate engaging interactions with young learners.
The guide has been instrumental in helping children develop not only technical Volleyball skills but also a range of motor skills and teamwork abilities. It has also aided the smooth transition of many children from casual school activities to more consistent participation in local Volleyball clubs. Furthermore, the educational resources have reinforced Volleyball`s position as an inclusive sport, actively promoting the involvement of children with physical and intellectual disabilities.
While acknowledging that there is always potential for enhancement, survey participants expressed strong appreciation for the project and the support provided by the guide. They requested additional material support, specifically targeting underprivileged schools and clubs where such provisions could significantly benefit participants. Suggestions were made to expand initiatives like in-person seminars, and there was a call for the CEV to launch more similar programmes and commit to continuously updating the current educational materials.
Looking ahead, the project partners plan to establish a database of stakeholders and produce a comprehensive legacy report. This report is expected to include proposals, potentially for initiating a Grassroots Coaching Licensing Project, possibly in close collaboration with the European Coaches Commission (ECoC).
