School Project helps mobilise record-breaking number of young players in Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation (AVF) continues to develop and grow the game across the Caucasus country, and they do so slowly but surely. They recently established a department specifically responsible for working with young children and for the collecting and processing of useful information and data about young players, starting from the age of eight. 

Earlier this month, the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation ran a seminar for schoolteachers under the auspices of the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’. The event was attended by some 18 schoolteachers and three students from the local Sports Academy in Ganja, the second largest city in Azerbaijan and consequently also the country’s second most important hub for Volleyball after Baku. The workshop lasted for four days, with theoretical classes whereby the teachers learned how to introduce mini volleyball in the best way. The last day of the seminar all participants had written and practical tests. Those who successfully completed the tests received Level I certificates – which ensure them the right to participate in national tournaments. 

During the third day of the workshop, they scouted nearly 50 girls through a warmup session and a series of performance tests. A lecture on safe sport for children was provided as well – to provide a safe environment for all involved in Volleyball activities and prevent or address any form of bullying and potential psychological abuse. 

In early February, a mini and mid-level volleyball tournament will be organised for the first time, thereby featuring 72 teams of young girls across the U14 and U16 age groups, and another 30 teams of young boys across the same age categories. This is a major step forward for Volleyball in Azerbaijan and the first event of this size and calibre specifically designed for young kids. The competition will finish in May and will be followed by a similar event for the U12 category.