The partners of the “Play Volleyball – Grow with It” (PVGW 2.0) project, coordinated by the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) and funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Sport programme, gathered in Dublin on 3–4 July 2025.
Hosted by Volleyball Ireland, the meeting brought together representatives from the Volleyball Federations of Austria, Iceland, Ireland, and Romania, as well as the University of Sport Cologne (Germany), to share and discuss the main findings from the online consultation survey on the innovative coaching methodology developed through the project.
Entitled “CEV School Project – A New Guide for Teachers and Coaches”, this resource aims to help coaches and teachers deliver engaging and impactful volleyball sessions for children aged 6 to 14. Through simple adaptations, the initiative enhances coaches’ and teachers’ ability to introduce volleyball, increasing accessibility and promoting physical activity in a fun, motivating, and dynamic manner.
With the support of all partners, EOSE was responsible for conducting the online consultation, and EOSE Executive Director Mr Aurélien Favre attended the meeting to present the main findings.
A total of 501 responses were received from coaches and teachers across 34 countries. The training handbook achieved an average rating of 4.3/5, indicating very high satisfaction with the new methodology. Moreover, 55.7% of respondents awarded it a 5/5, an extremely encouraging result that underscores the handbook’s relevance.
Respondents identified three key strengths of the methodology:
- Progressive learning with a clear step-by-step progression to develop skills
- Adaptability to different levels and age groups
- Strong engagement and active participation of children
Few respondents reported challenges, but those who did cited limited equipment and materials, varying skill levels among children, and difficulties with coordinating motor skills.
The consultation also showed that the methodology supports children in developing technical skills (e.g., serving, ball control) as well as wider abilities such as teamwork, hand‑eye coordination, and agility. Additionally, 77.2% of respondents confirmed that the guide has effectively supported children’s transition from school volleyball to regular participation in local clubs.
While there is always room for improvement, respondents expressed strong appreciation for the initiative and the support provided by the guide.
The next phase of the project will incorporate these findings and recommendations to develop a legacy plan, including the potential establishment of a Grassroots Coaching License for teachers and coaches working with children.
EOSE is proud to be involved in such an ambitious and impactful project.
