The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Level One Coaching Course will officially conclude tomorrow in Dar es Salaam, marking the end of a five-day intensive training program aimed at enhancing coaching standards across East and Southern Africa.
The course has brought together 37 coaches from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, all of whom have been receiving expert instruction from Constant Thouassi, a certified international trainer from the FIVB.
Speaking to The Respondent Online, Ford Edward, Commissioner for Coaches at the Tanzania Volleyball Federation (TVF), emphasized the importance of the course in building the next generation of volleyball talent.
“Our expectation is that these coaches will serve as ambassadors of excellence, particularly in developing young players for national teams, clubs, and schools,” Edward said.
He noted that the course focused on modern coaching techniques and recent updates to international volleyball rules, preparing participants to lead their teams with renewed insight and competitive strategies.
“This training equips our coaches with the latest knowledge and methodologies in line with the evolving nature of the sport. It’s a crucial step as we look ahead to national competitions like the Tanzania Volleyball National League (TVNL), where we anticipate a higher level of performance and competition,” Edward added.
Addressing gender disparity in sports leadership, Edward acknowledged the low participation of women in the coaching program as a continuing challenge.
However, he expressed optimism that ongoing efforts to encourage female involvement are beginning to show promise.
“We are actively working to raise awareness and mobilize more women to pursue coaching opportunities. Encouragingly, the number of female referees is already on the rise, and we believe that within the next two to three years, we will see a similar trend among coaches,” he said.
The FIVB Level One course is widely regarded as a foundation for advancing coaching capacity and technical excellence in volleyball.
Upon completion, the trained coaches are expected to play a vital role in grassroots development, helping their respective countries strengthen their competitive edge on the regional and global stage.