Participants in the ongoing FIVB Level One Coaching Course have been encouraged to translate the knowledge gained from the training into practical results that will help grow volleyball at club and national levels across Tanzania and beyond.
The call was made by the Secretary General of the Tanzania Volleyball Federation (TVF), Laurence Safari, who emphasized that the coaches have a crucial role in nurturing talent and strengthening the country's competitiveness on the international stage.
“This course is not just about theory. We expect each participant to return to their clubs and communities, share what they’ve learned, and implement it in developing future players,” said Safari. “They will be instrumental in preparing players who can one day represent our national teams.”
Safari expressed gratitude to the National Sports Council for financing the travel costs of the international instructor, FIVB-certified coach Constant Thouassi from Cameroon, enabling the course to take place in Tanzania.
“We are thankful for the support from the government in making this happen. We now rely on these coaches to be ambassadors of what they have learned and to drive professional standards in local clubs,” he added.
The course, which has attracted 37 participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, is designed to build capacity among local coaches who have previously attended national-level training.
It aims to elevate their skills to a global standard, opening doors for international coaching opportunities.
“As the sport grows, we’ve seen clubs bringing in foreign players coached by highly skilled trainers. For our teams to stay competitive, our coaches also need advanced training,” Safari said. “This course equips them to coach not just locally but potentially across international markets.”
He added that the newly trained coaches will also be considered for national team assignments as Tanzania prepares for regional and global competitions.
Among the participants is Tanzanian coach Abeid Antony, who described the training as transformative.
“This experience is a big boost for me. It has opened my eyes to new coaching methods and allowed me to interact with professionals from different countries,” he said.
“I encourage young coaches to seize similar opportunities. They are critical for the growth of our sport and national success.”he added
Gaudencia Makokha, another participant, expressed her ambition to use the skills gained to develop young talent under the age of 14.
“I’m excited to learn new techniques and approaches that will help me nurture junior players and shape the next generation of champions,” she said.
The FIVB Level One Coaching Course is part of a broader strategy by the Tanzania Volleyball Federation to professionalize the sport and position Tanzanian coaches and players to compete more effectively at the global level.