CEV School Project mobilises almost 600,000 people across Europe!

The school year has ended in all countries – somewhere earlier, somewhere slightly later – and the figures resulting from the implementation of the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’ are just mind-boggling. The programme run by the CEV in cooperation with some 30 National Federations to promote Volleyball at school involved almost 600,000 people if we are to count pupils, teachers, coaches, staff and the many other individuals mobilised through promotional events. 

The CEV School Project continues to provide an ideal platform for youngsters to familiarise themselves with the Volleyball game, learn basic motor and technical skills, as well as the spirit of teamwork and fair play that goes with it – while fostering a healthy lifestyle, which is so important in today’s world. The number of school pupils involved has grown exponentially year on year (+82%), reaching almost 143,000 – with the majority represented by girls (81,243; +75%) while the efforts made in many countries to address and involve boys as well have been paying dividends too (61,683; +93%). 

What is just equally as impressive is that the programme continues to help mobilise an unprecedented number of coaches, PE teachers, clubs, and primary schools. While helping integrate Volleyball in the school curriculum, the projects is designed also to support the continued involvement of these youngsters in the game – so that they possibly transition from ‘simply’ attending PE classes to active participation in clubs based in their neighbourhoods. 

All figures have broken previous records and this has much to do also with the delivery of capacity building events – as many as 222 across Europe, as the School Project is now implemented in about 30 countries. Such events – e.g. workshops, webinars, seminars – help further disseminate educational material as well as inspire coaches and teachers so that they are equipped with the right knowledge to work with youngsters at the entry level of the game. 

As school pupils enjoy their well-deserved summer vacations, those working with the CEV School Project are certainly already devising plans for another year filled with entertaining activities that will help grow the next generation of Volleyball players!