30 participants complete FIVB Level I Coaches Course in Latvia

From August 6 to 10, 30 participants, including 21 men and nine women, received FIVB certificates at a Level I Coaches Course run by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) held at the Riga Volleyball School in the Latvian capital. 

The course with theoretical training and practical exercises in English was delivered in Riga, with the participation of 25 Latvian, three Lithuanian and two Polish coaches. The attendees received a certificate issued by the FIVB, and local coach Rolands Ozolins, who obtained the highest number of points in both exams combined (practical and theoretical) was presented with ‘The best performance’ distinction from FIVB Instructor Paolo Montagnani. Michal Staniucha finished the course with the same combined result, but his theoretical knowledge was valued higher, whereas Ozolins had a better result in the practical session. The third best result was claimed by Roberts Mezals, another local.

Mr Ozolins was awarded with a gift card (100 EUR) from the sports equipment service company WinWin Sport, whereas Staniucha and Mezals received new volleyballs in recognition of their performances. 

“I think the course was great. A lot of new information about the supposedly already known, but it makes you look at everything from a different point of view. For example, how to build a training process, what is most important in it and how to follow up on the growth of the team. Very important information was shared about learning the basics of volleyball technique for children and young people,” says Rolands Ozolins about the course. “I would advise any self-respecting volleyball coach who wants to become better professionally to take advantage of such opportunities. In that way we will be able to rejoice and sympathise with our national teams and clubs when they perform on the big volleyball stage.” 

“Many thanks to the FIVB and to the Latvian Volleyball Federation as well as to all the candidates for organising and joining the Level 1 course in Riga. We spent a fantastic time together not only talking about Volleyball, but also sharing emotions, experiences and everyday life. It was very easy for me to communicate with all of you because of your enthusiasm and desire to improve and become better coaches. I hope that the Latvian Volleyball Federation will proceed to ask for further coaching courses and I will be ready to come back to live the good times again in Latvia. Thank you and see you soon,” said FIVB Instructor Montagnani.

Level II and Level III Coaches Courses in Latvia could be planned for 2025 and 2026, respectively.
From August 21 to 25, a Level II course will be held in Estonia, where the lessons will be run in English as well. The FIVB Coaches Course Level I in Latvia was organised with the support of the Eastern European Volleyball Zonal Association (EEVZA).