Over the weekend of September 2nd and 3rd, the University of Glasgow played host to the Scottish Volleyball Level 1 indoor coaching course. Twelve enthusiastic candidates from diverse backgrounds came together to participate. With a shared passion for the sport and an eagerness to develop their coaching skills, these aspiring coaches embarked on a journey of learning, collaboration, and personal growth.
The University of Glasgow, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s vibrant city, provided an ideal backdrop for the course. The university’s state-of-the-art sports facilities and commitment to promoting sports education made it the perfect host. The candidates had access to top-notch volleyball courts, classrooms, and resources, ensuring they had the best possible environment for their learning experience.
The participants on this Level 1 Coaching Course represented a rich tapestry of backgrounds and experiences. They included volleyball players old and new, students, and individuals passionate about sports coaching. What united them was their desire to enhance their coaching abilities and make a positive impact on the development of volleyball in Scotland.
The Level 1 Coaching Course is a two practical learning experience specially created to cover a wide wide range of topics designed to equip candidates with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to coach volleyball effectively. The weekend was guided by Scottish Volleyball staff tutor Andy Fleming, providing guidance, mentorship, and real-world insights throughout the weekend to bring the course content to life and spark enthusiasm for coaching. Over the two days the candidate navigated the course curriculum; a blend of theory, practical and professional discussions.
Day one began, in the classroom as the 12 candidates were given a warm welcome by the tutor and spent a short time getting to know each other and gaining some insight into each other’s volleyball story. At this point the 12 prospects were given a flavour of the content of what lay ahead of them in the next two days. Once this was done it was into the Gym and down to business – exploring ball control, performance analysis, the coaching process, principles of drill design, performance development and other practical content. At the conclusion of the day the candidates had worked hard and covered a lot of content, but this was only the halfway point. Day two started with a recap of day 1 and reflective discussions driven by the previous days learning. As expected, the candidates were feeling the effects of day one and slowly worked there way in to the second days content. Coaching episodes, gameplay, 2v2, 3v3 rally play, propped up the morning; then in the afternoon developing passing units (team first pass) spiking and game play. Its fair to say at the end of day two the candidates were awash with a mixture of excitement and fatigue.
At the conclusion of the course, there was an air of celebration as all twelve candidates passed with flying colours. Their commitment, hard work, and enthusiasm had paid off. The level 1 was a resounding success. The future of Scottish Volleyball coaching looks brighter than ever. These dedicated individuals are now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to make a significant impact on the sport they love. As they step into their coaching roles, they will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of volleyball in Scotland, and we wish them well as they embark on their coaching journey in the years to come.