Cool Volley Festival in Trinidad & Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, January 20, 2012 - The Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation hosted its first FIVB Cool Volleyball event for children last December.

Cool Volleyball introduces children to the fundamental principles of volleyball techniques, rules and desirable behaviors needed to become both an elite volleyball athlete and a recreational player.

The festival was organized by the Trinidad and Tobago coaches that participated in the NORCECA Coaching Development Program in 2011. Ms. Sue Gozanski of USA Volleyball attended the event as both and assessor of the training and a mentor to the coaches.

This training program was funded by the US State Department to aid in volleyball development in the region. Both, the training and the festival, along with equipment were provided by the NORCECA as part of their strategic development plan for the region’s national federations.

Eighty four children participated in the single day festival and were presented with volleyball stickers, t-shirts, medals and certificates that shared child protection information from the United Nations Rights of a Child.

The TTVF is working towards another event in the first half of 2012, due to the popular feedback from the children and parents who commended the TTVF an NORCECA for promoting a child friendly environment though volleyball.

The TTVF and NORCECA took the opportunity to use this festival to link with celebrations for the London 2012 Olympics, as well as, to share child protection information directly to children by collaborating with supporting NGO’s the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education and the British Council that provided public relations (tv, radio & website), promotional material, volunteers, and training for the participating coaches in ‘proactive child protection’ and ‘anti-doping education.’ 

This collaborative approach to volleyball and social development is one which the TTVF and the NORCECA Confederation is advocating for all national federations to adopt for the benefit of their members and sustainability of the national federations.