Seeds planted to grow future Volleyball stars in Croatia

In December, CEV School Project Manager Željko Nojić visited two schools near Zagreb, more precisely in the town of Velika Gorica, which is known for the Azena volleyball club, where some of the top female Croatian players took their first steps in the sport. 

A visit was paid to the elementary school Eugen Kumičić, where physical education teacher Ivica Herceg has been sharing his love for Volleyball with children for some 30 years. Thanks to him, many players made their first volleyball steps in that school under his leadership, and some of them are still playing in the highest ranks of the Croatian domestic competitions. Mr Nojić delivered a demonstration training for the 17 children from the sixth grade. Some of them are already playing Volleyball in local clubs. They were very happy with the balls and ribbons provided via the CEV School Project – a much-needed technical support. There is hope that this school will be the springboard for future Volleyball stars to emerge. 

Just a few kilometres away is the Ščitarjevo elementary school where physical education teacher Matija Ribić delivers volleyball training with much enthusiasm. Although he is a fitness coach by profession, his interest in Volleyball was passed on to him by professor Herceg - who was his mentor for many years. Already in the early grades, he educates children by introducing key volleyball elements in a very methodical way. Not only does he teach the basics of Volleyball; he already has managed to take his school to national competitions and to win a medal there. Ribbons and balls distributed by the Croatian Volleyball Federation will greatly help him in the further development of ‘his’ little players. 

Activities run in conjunction with the CEV School Project continue in the County of Istria as well. Local coordinator Dragan Salapura prepared a demonstration training specifically for the fifth-grade pupils of the Tar Vabriga elementary school in the city of Tar. They performed motor exercises, as well as a series of volleyball drills and fun games with both balls and balloons. Physical education professor Hrvoje Paić actively participated in the training. The atmosphere and engagement shown by the children were at an enviable level.