CEV delegation pays historic visit to Greenland to grow the game through School Project

For the first time in history, a CEV delegation has paid a visit to the Greenlandic Volleyball Federation (GVF) on their very home soil. CEV Education and Referee Coordinator François Watthez and CEV Instructor Kristof De Loose were warmly welcomed by their five GVF counterparts, thereby making this visit a significant milestone for the further growth of Volleyball in Greenland.

The visit began earlier this week (Tuesday, March 18) with a meeting between CEV and GVF to gain a deeper understanding of how sports, particularly Volleyball, are organised in Greenland. This was an opportunity to explore and discuss areas for further growth and the challenges faced by the National Federation. One of the main obstacles is the vast distances between cities, compounded by unpredictable weather conditions that can disrupt travel at any time – even within the same city. The delegation also visited two of the six schools in the island’s capital, Nuuk: Kangillinnguit Atuarfiat, and Atuarfik Hans Lynge, where they attended some PE classes. 

The following day featured two theoretical presentations (‘Be creative with exercises’ and ‘Motivational teaching of broad motor skills’) and one practical session for coaches and teachers working with pupils aged six to 14. This was followed by an open training session, where children from the capital of Greenland had the opportunity to experience and enjoy Volleyball firsthand.

On Thursday, Kristof De Loose delivered two additional theoretical presentations (‘Having fun with technics and tactics’ and ‘Be creative with games’) and an additional practical session, thereby further enriching the learning experience for future local coaches and educators, all aged between 16 and 21. This group represents the coaches and PE teachers of tomorrow. Like the day before, the second part of the day was dedicated to an open training session for kids aged eight to 12. 

In total, more than 60 coaches and teachers and 70 kids participated in the seminars over the two days - most of them attended both sessions, thus demonstrating strong engagement and enthusiasm for the further development of Volleyball in Greenland.

Karl Ole Petrussen, CEV School Project Manager at the Greenlandic Volleyball Federation: “I cannot overstate the importance of these two days of workshops for our Volleyball community. This initiative represents a crucial step in our efforts to grow and develop the sport in Greenland.
Firstly, these workshops provided invaluable education and training for our coaches and teachers, equipping them with new knowledge and methods to inspire the next generation of players. Given the unique challenges we face – such as long travel distances between cities and unpredictable weather conditions – it is essential to have well-prepared local educators who can foster Volleyball development at the grassroots level. Secondly, the open training session allowed children to experience the joy of Volleyball firsthand. Introducing the sport to more young players is fundamental to increasing participation and building a strong foundation for the future of Volleyball in Greenland.” 

Nukannguaq Ostermann, President of the Greenlandic Volleyball Federation: “The visit of the CEV delegation was a historic moment for our Federation, reinforcing our connection to the European Volleyball community. It gave us the opportunity to share our challenges and aspirations while learning from the expertise of the CEV representatives. These workshops were not just about education; they were about inspiration, growth, and strengthening the future of Greenlandic Volleyball.”