Volley Vlaanderen delegation pays visit to home of European Volleyball

On Wednesday, a delegation from Volley Vlaanderen including former elite Beach Volleyball player Dries Koekelkoren and Stijn Van Kerckhove, Director of Grassroots, Clubs and Coach Education, paid a visit to the home of European Volleyball in Luxembourg. 

The Belgian delegation discussed with the CEV Beach Volleyball and Development Departments as well as with the CEV Press Officer their concept and vision to mobilise and recruit more young boys to play the game – as girls far outweigh their male peers in Volleyball participation and the trend for young females keeps on growing. Volley Vlaanderen have designed a concept to initiate youngsters to the sport in a friendly and fun environment – while creating a movement whereby the kids feel members of something engaging, cool and big at the same time. 

The results are promising and this vision has already yielded dividends via the delivery of innovative Urban Volleyball Games and other workshops and clinics across the country, thereby also establishing Volleyball truly as a sport for everyone. 

The concept was well received by the CEV and the two organisations will be looking into ways to share knowledge, knowhow and best practices – via the educational resources provided through the CEV School Project and by providing windows of promotion for Volley Vlaanderen via the CEV website and other digital channels. 

The conversation also revolved around Beach Volleyball activities in Belgium and Europe – with Belgium emerging as a force to be reckoned with in recent times especially in age-group competitions. Earlier this year, Lente Thant/Simone Vervloet claimed bronze at the U19 World and U18 European Championships, while in 2023 Joppe Van Langendonck/Kyan Vercauteren were crowned U21 World champions.