Development Session for Primary Schools PE Teachers organised in Malta

The first ever Development Session for Primary school Physical Education teachers run by the Malta Volleyball Association (MVA) was held this past month at the Cottonera Sports Complex. This session was part of a series of such actions for the teachers’ personal development in various sports.

The session was run by Mr Charles Gauci, School Project Manager for the Malta Volleyball Association. It was organised in collaboration with the MEYR Physical Education Officer Mr Marvin Spiteri and Head of Department officers Ms Lorraine Buttigieg and Ms Bernice Saliba Pisani. 

The intention is to help increase the knowledge of teachers and develop a structure that would help Maltese primary school students be introduced to Volleyball at an early stage. As many as 46 teachers were present on the day. Some of these teachers have already been assisting in various sessions in their respective schools - which have participated last year or are participating in this year’s CEV School Project. 

The main theme of these sessions was to define and structure the way to introduce an adapted way to play the game in primary schools. The progression covers four levels, ranging from 1v1 to 2v2 to 3v3, allowing one bounce and catching of the ball, eventually eliminating the bounce and decreasing the number of catches as the children progress and go up the levels. The net height always allows the children to be successful in their attacks. Movement of the players on court is one of the most important aspects of playing the game. This includes rotation of the players on court. 

The teachers’ participation was very encouraging, with various aspects of the game being discussed during the session. Sessions in Primary schools are ongoing this scholastic year and the project will continue to flourish in other schools in the coming months. The MVA’s intention is to hold a festival for children under the age of 11, an innovation for both the MVA and Maltese Primary schools.