U13 competitions help grow next generation of players in Cyprus

As they continue to make good use of the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’ to inspire and grow the next generation of players, the Cyprus Volleyball Federation organised throughout January visits to elementary schools in Limassol. Moreover, during the three-week period of exams, the Federation did also deliver the second volleyball festival for players under the age of 13 named after Ntinos Michaelides – an event which was open to pupils who are attending elementary schools and play competitive club volleyball.

Some 16 clubs featured in the U13 girls’ division and another three in the boys’ event, thereby accounting for some 300 players in total (250 girls and 50 boys). The tournament for girls lasted for two weekends with the boys’ competition played on the final day only along with the girls’ event. As many as 32 matches were played by girls and three matches by the boys’ teams. On the final day, every single player received a medal from the Federation and an MVP award was given to the best individual from each gender.

Anagennisis Dheryneias were the winners of the boys’ tournament after topping the group, Nea Salamina Famagusta finished second and Phoenix Pylas third. Apollon Limassol emerged as champions for the second time in succession in the girls’ tournament, after beating Panidaliakos in the final. Anagennisis Dheryneias finished third and AEL Limassol fourth.

The next such tournament will be taking place in June involving the same age group and it is believed that all the teams which will take part will have more experience to rely on.

The Cyprus Volleyball Federation has established three leagues for the U14, U16, and U18 age groups and these U13 tournaments very much help the teams to prepare their players for the next competitive season.

The Cyprus Volleyball Federation visited two schools in Limassol with CEV School Project Manager Georgios Stefanidis joined by renowned coach Antonios Liotatis. Around 200 pupils (aged 8 to 10) attended the classes with great interest and in the space of 40 minutes they already looked able to exchange passes between them.