Kidsvolley grows exponentially in Denmark

Activities run in connection with the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’ have been flourishing in Denmark these past few weeks with dozens, if not hundreds of children experiencing the joy and fun associated with Kidsvolley, a version of the Volleyball game specifically designed for beginners. 

It has become a tradition for Hjalleseskolen every year that they have kids playing Volleyball. It means a lot to Volleyball Denmark when Kidsvolley becomes a regular part of the school’s CV and planning to ensure that as many kids as possible are introduced to the game. Volleyball Club DHV, which is the local association, uses the Kidsvolley school tournament to recruit new members to join the club. “The fact that every year we can help make our sport visible and at the same time deliver a fantastic day for the students at the school is a joy for us,” says the club.

This past November 15, all fourth graders from Herning came together for a large KidsVolley Conference. The event was held in Snejbjerghallerne where there was room for as many as 16 Kidsvolley courts. It was Herning Municipality’s Sports Committee that contacted Volleyball Denmark to hear how such an event could go and Volleyball Denmark was immediately ready to deliver. With balls from CEV and Volleyball Denmark’s help in planning the tournament, it was a fantastic day. “Think that 534 children and 112 teams can be under the same roof at the same time and that everything is just running fine. A wonderful, wonderful day with happy children and adults,” says Rikke Møller, who helped plan and deliver the action.

At Munkeboskolen, they did not know about Kidsvolley until Kerteminde Volleyball Club came by the sports lessons with balls from CEV. With 52 students in a small hall, a fantastic atmosphere was quickly created with balls and balloons. Kidsvolley with lots of movement and ball touches gets all students involved and so it did there as well. Kerteminde Volleyball Club works hard to get more members to their newly started Kidsvolley team and hopes a visit to the school makes more people want to play the game. 
 
Lyngby Gladsaxe Volleyball Club has employed a person who is responsible for school competitions at the schools across their municipality. This means that competitions are held every year and that all students know what Kidsvolley is. For the club, this also means that every year there is an opportunity to recruit new players.

During November, the Volley Club Vestsjælland organised as many as 17 school tournaments involving schools from different towns. It is a fantastic setup, and together with Volleyball Denmark, the club is putting a tremendous effort into this endeavour. All the schools receive balls from CEV so that Kidsvolley and Teenvolley can continue to thrive even after the tournaments have ended. There is no doubt that these school tournaments play a leading role in recruiting the many children who continuously join one of the largest youth clubs in Denmark.

Children in Roskilde absolutely adore Kidsvolley. Around 250 students enthusiastically joined two tournaments held in the city, in close collaboration with Trekronerskole and Himmelev Volleyball Club. There were smiles all around and plenty of sweat resulting from the high activity level inside the hall.

In Køge, Kidsvolley is thriving. Every year, the club successfully organises tournaments for second and fourth graders. There is an annual waiting list for these events because they provide a fantastic experience for both students and teachers alike. Around 450 students participate across the two-day competition. Team Køge Volley is delighted by the many children introduced to Kidsvolley each year, leading them to consistently join the club.

Over 200 students from the sixth and seventh grades competed in Teenvolley at the Kalundborg halls. It was a wonderful and active day where many students from the municipality were introduced to Teenvolley. There were intense competitions aiming for the victory in each category. It was a delightful and inspiring day with lots of happy teachers and students!