Mind-boggling participation figures for CEV School Project in Ireland

January has been a dynamic and eventful start to 2024 for Volleyball Ireland as staff, students, teachers, and parents enthusiastically participated in various school activities. 

The biggest school competition of the academic year witnessed six new champions crowned in Galway City on January 23. The event was a culmination of 17 weeks of Volleyball, involving over 120 teams of U16 boys and girls competing in as many as 388 matches. A lot of thanks shall go out to the volunteer student referees who make these competitions possible during the early rounds.  

The education of those valuable student referees and coaches continued in January. Even with a late return of schools in January 2024, Volleyball Ireland were able to partner and coordinate five courses for 103 students.

Volleyball Ireland (VY) is always looking to identify new school opportunities early in the new year. The Federation were delighted to work alongside the Irish Special Sports Council to bring Volleyball to children with intellectual disabilities. The VY team were on hand with 15 students from Dungarvan College to deliver the first of three provincial sessions to some 55 kids. 

Also new for 2024 is the exciting cross federation Fun Blitz with Northern Ireland Volleyball. This new concept will enable young primary schools to experience learning and playing alongside children from across the border. Talks have moved forward, and Volleyball Ireland are delighted to state that the date has now been secured and everyone is hugely looking forward to March 11!

The rest of Irish primary school teams are now entered for the 2024 championships. Registration closed on January 15 with an incredible 159 teams taking part in the competition due to start on February 26! 

Finally, a little story around the power of networking. Volleyball Ireland coach Rafal Kesik took his young Santry girls’ team to Poland to train with Dawid Michor in late January. The camp was born out of a meeting at the CEV Coaches Convention held in Bulgaria this past September and Volleyball Ireland hope to continue such a relationship and indeed work with other Federations as they help build the future of both Irish and European Volleyball.