The Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) recently conducted a four-day National Teams Coaches Development Training in Rundu, focusing on strengthening grassroots coaching structures to enhance the country's competitiveness at senior national-team level. The training, which was facilitated by International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and NVF, brought together 14 selected coaches from various regions, including Zambezi, Erongo, and Khomas. The initiative aimed to establish a consistent approach to player development across the country.
NVF chief executive officer Festus Hamukwaya stated that the participants were chosen for their ability to contribute significantly to the technical development of the national teams. During the training, the coaches explored ways to establish a unified approach to player development, with a focus on grassroots level. National team head coach and FIVB expert Joel Matheus emphasized the need to give more attention to developing players at grassroots level, rather than concentrating predominantly on senior national teams.
The training highlighted the importance of providing players with a solid technical foundation from a young age. Matheus noted that some players reach the senior national-team setup without adequate technical skills, partly due to shortcomings in their development at a younger age. The programme therefore aimed to establish a national playing philosophy that would guide player development from junior to senior level. This philosophy will ensure that players developed in different parts of the country come through a common system.
FIVB expert Dr Thulani Maphosa, who facilitated the training, emphasized the need for coaches across the country to work towards the same development objectives. He stressed the importance of strengthening the capacity of existing coaches and equipping them with modern training methods. Maphosa added that bringing coaches together under a common philosophy would help establish a consistent player-development pathway across the country.
The training incorporated modern technologies, including analytics, artificial intelligence, and data management. UK-based analytics expert Lincoln Dokwani contributed online, sharing insights on how coaches can use data to inform in-game decisions. FIVB Level Three coach Memory Dube, who heads Zimbabwe's senior women's national volleyball team, also facilitated sessions online, sharing her coaching experience across southern Africa.
The NVF's approach focuses on developing players through a common system, equipped with the technical skills required to compete at higher levels. Matheus stated that the goal is to ensure that players developed in different parts of the country come through a unified system, rather than disoriented systems that do not speak to each other. This approach will enable the country to produce players with a solid technical foundation.
The National Teams Coaches Development Training is a significant step towards improving Namibia's competitiveness at senior national-team level. The programme has equipped coaches with modern training methods and a unified approach to player development. The NVF's commitment to grassroots development will likely have a positive impact on the country's volleyball teams in the long run.
Key points
- The training aimed to establish a consistent approach to player development across the country.
- The programme incorporated modern technologies, including analytics, artificial intelligence, and data management.
- The NVF's approach focuses on developing players through a common system, equipped with the technical skills required to compete at higher levels.
