Attending the recent CEV Coaching Conference in Croatia was an incredibly valuable experience, and it more than met my expectations. Although I have played volleyball for nearly twenty years, I have only been coaching for the past two. This meant I arrived feeling quite nervous, but I quickly found that the environment was supportive and inspiring.
I was invited to the conference and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues from across the world. Engaging with other coaches and hearing the passion they have for the sport reinforced the sense of community within volleyball. I particularly appreciated the lectures from visiting speakers, which offered fresh perspectives on coaching and challenged me to reflect on my own approach.
One of the highlights was connecting with coaches who shared ideas and strategies for player development. This resonated strongly with me, as much of my current focus is dedicated to supporting our local high school students. I was proud to see them succeed recently, winning the Scottish National Finals, and it is very rewarding to help players progress and move on to Scottish clubs where their skills can be further developed.
The main takeaways for me from this conference are increased confidence in my coaching abilities, new techniques to implement in my sessions, and valuable connections with clubs and coaches across Europe. Networking in this way will not only support my personal development but also help to raise the profile of the sport locally and nationally.
Overall, the conference has given me fresh motivation, practical tools, and a stronger belief in my ability to contribute positively to the game, and I am so proud that I am at the start of their Volleyball journey