Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, February 22, 2020 – Five Asian coaches, all of them members of the AVC Coaches Committee, arrived here on Saturday to join the “Kick-Off Meeting” for the joint EuroAsia Coaches Cooperation on February 23 at CEV Head Office.
The potential coaching quintet, accompanied by AVC Coordinator Mr Phittaya Thongkrua, comprise Mr Mohammed Ahmed Althawadi from Bahrain, Mr Russell Bourgeaud from Australia, Miss Feng Kun from China, who has recently been appointed as AVC Coach Instructor, Mr G.E. Sridharan from India and Mr Mahmoud Afshardoust from Iran.
CEV Development Manager Mr Vuk Karanovic, seated on top, hosts a welcome dinner for Asian coaches.
Upon their arrival in CEV Head Office on Sunday, they are due to meet CEV Development Manager Mr Vuk Karanovic and his team and discuss with them on relevant matters.
Mr Russell Bourgeaud from Australia, centre, and Mr G.E. Sridharan from India
However, ahead of the official meeting, Vuk hosted a welcome dinner on Saturday night for the six-member delegation from AVC at Hotel Parc Plaza. Also joining them for dinner was Mr Gert Vande Broek, a highly-experienced head coach who steered the Belgium women’s national volleyball team to a well-earned 7th-place finish at the 2019 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League.
Mr Gert Vande Broek, head coach of Belgium women’s national volleyball team, joins the welcome dinner.
“I will be in Phuket (Thailand) with my team for the 2020 Volleyball Nations League and I hope to see Thailand head coach Mr Danai (Sriwacharamaytakul) again out there,” Mr Gert Vande Broek was quoted as saying at the dinner table conversations.
According to AVC Coordinator Mr Phittaya, the one-day Kick-Off Meeting will be attended by five Asian coaches, Mr Istvan Szabados, head coach of Hungary men’s national volleyball team, Mr Gasper Ribic, coach of Slovenia men’s national volleyball team, Mr Thomas Bro-Rasmussen, Secretary of European Coaches Commission, ECOC Members Ms Sofia Papadopoulou and Mr Gert Vande Broek and CEV Development Manager Mr Vuk Karanovic.
Mr G.E. Sridharan from India, left, and Mr Mahmoud Afshardoust from Iran
“In Europe, there are many experienced coaches and we are looking to learn what we can do with some coaching development for Asia in order that we can involve these people and their processes and put some opportunities for Asians,” said Mr Russell Bourgeaud from Australia, when asked to comment on benefits Asian coaches can obtain from the Sunday’s meeting.
Mr Mohammed Ahmed Althawadi from Bahrain, far right, Mr Russell Bourgeaud from Australia, far left, and Mr G.E. Sridharan from India, centre, at the dinner table.
The Sunday’s Kick-Off Meeting will be held at CEV Head Office from 9.15am local time, starting with presentation of the EuroAsia Coaches Cooperation project, followed by the round table discussion on the expected outcomes of the project, key elements for successful implementation of the project, roles of CEV and AVC, scope of activities, relation with the existing structure and planning for next steps.
Mr Vuk Karanovic
The Kick-Off Meeting is the very first step of the joint EuroAsia Coaches Cooperation, which will also include the Brainstorming Meeting in Thailand in September 2020, the Cluster Meeting in Hungary, the Cluster Meeting in Asia (Host Country TBC) and Final Coaches’ Cooperation in Slovenia.
Regarding the Kick-Off Meeting in Luxembourg on February 23, the participants will discuss elaboration on the idea how to enhance the work of the coaches, the overview of similarities and differences between European and Asian coaching styles both technically and culturally and to identify benefit of such exchanges, and ways of communication.
The joint EuroAsia Coaches Cooperation will also focus on sustainability. Due to the connections and networks made through the lifetime of the project, an event will be created to keep both confederations and coaches in regular contact. Furthermore, the conventions are also expected to become tradition where the coaches gather to exchange best practice and innovative approach.
The joint EuroAsia Coaches Cooperation serves as the second edition of the CEV as the European’s governing body held its Coaches Convention for the first time last year, having brought together about a hundred coaches and physical education teachers working in grassroots level and school volleyball.
This time, the CEV wants to expand the convention beyond the European borders by inviting 10 coaches/PE teachers with similar profile from all other confederations. The dates and venue for the Final Coaches’ Cooperation have been confirmed to take place from June 12 to 14, 2021 in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation