In a significant move towards strengthening the future of volleyball coaching, the Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) concluded a highly impactful FIVB Level 1 Coaches Course at the Bahrain International Volleyball Development Center. The five-day event, held from April 26 to 30, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 28 budding coaches hailing from a diverse array of countries, including Kuwait, Qatar, Morocco, England, Cuba, India, Afghanistan, and the host nation, Bahrain.
This initiative, conducted under the patronage of His Excellency Shaikh Ali bin Mohamed Al Khalifa — President of the Bahrain Volleyball Association and the Arab Volleyball Federation — served as a meaningful step forward in Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to global sports development and volleyball excellence.
Diverse Participation Fuels Knowledge Exchange
What made this particular course truly special was the diversity of its participants. Coming from different cultural and sporting backgrounds, each coach brought their own unique perspective to the table. The mixture of local and international representation created a rich environment for discussion, collaboration, and learning.
Throughout the program, attendees explored a carefully structured curriculum that seamlessly blended theoretical frameworks with hands-on practical sessions. The course covered a wide spectrum of coaching essentials — from volleyball fundamentals and teaching progressions to game analysis, player management, and injury prevention. Trainers ensured participants not only absorbed knowledge but also engaged in real-time coaching simulations to apply what they learned in a practical context.
This structure, coupled with an atmosphere of enthusiasm and mutual respect, elevated the overall quality of the course. Coaches from different nations exchanged philosophies, discussed emerging trends in modern volleyball, and built connections that are likely to last well beyond the closing ceremony.
Strengthening the Core of Volleyball Coaching
The ceremony marking the conclusion of the event was both spirited and heartfelt. Mr. Mohamed Althawadi, Vice President of the BVA, praised the dedication and discipline shown by the participants. Speaking to the group, he stated, “This course not only strengthens your skills but also lays the groundwork for positive change in your countries. When coaches grow, so do players. And when players grow, the sport thrives.”
His words resonated with the central aim of the FIVB’s global development efforts — to create sustainable, long-term growth in volleyball through education and capacity-building. Empowering coaches is viewed as one of the most critical strategies in ensuring that athletes across all levels receive the support, guidance, and training needed to reach their full potential.
By equipping grassroots and emerging coaches with modern tools, updated methodologies, and a global perspective, this course effectively plants seeds for progress in multiple regions at once.
Bahrain’s Volleyball Vision Comes to Life
Over the past decade, Bahrain has steadily emerged as a regional leader in volleyball development. The Bahrain International Volleyball Development Center has become a nucleus for knowledge-sharing, continuously offering workshops, certification programs, and hands-on training experiences to aspiring professionals across the sport’s ecosystem.
These efforts are part of a larger strategic vision — one that focuses not just on competitive excellence but also on building a strong infrastructure for volleyball education. Bahrain’s long-term investment in coach development has begun to bear fruit, as more qualified coaches now lead national teams, clubs, and academies both within the kingdom and abroad.
What makes Bahrain’s approach distinct is its insistence on inclusion and openness. The country has consistently welcomed coaches from abroad, fostering an environment where regional and international experts can engage, collaborate, and innovate together.
Participants Share Their Experiences
Many of the attendees shared their appreciation for the course’s design and impact. One coach from India noted that the program “offered a unique chance to learn not just from instructors but from peers around the world.” A participant from Qatar echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the global mix of coaches helped expand his coaching lens.
Another participant from Cuba praised the practical sessions in particular, saying, “It’s one thing to study drills on paper. It’s another to actually run them and receive constructive feedback from instructors who have coached at high levels.”
The feedback from all participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many described the experience as transformative — a stepping stone in their personal and professional journey as volleyball educators.
Looking Ahead: The Ripple Effect
The long-term effects of such a course are likely to extend far beyond Bahrain’s borders. As each coach returns to their respective community, they will carry with them a renewed sense of purpose, fresh techniques, and a deeper understanding of the game. The ripple effect of well-trained coaches translates to more structured programs, better-trained athletes, and a stronger overall ecosystem for volleyball.
Bahrain has once again proven that when a nation invests in education, collaboration, and global outreach, the results speak for themselves. Initiatives like this FIVB Level 1 Coaches Course are more than just training programs — they are engines of change, capable of shaping the future of sports at a foundational level.
As international coaches head back to their home countries, the lessons learned in Bahrain will now find their way into volleyball courts, schools, and academies around the world — inspiring the next generation of players, teams, and communities.
The success of this event further cements Bahrain’s status as a beacon of progress in the world of volleyball coaching and sets the tone for future collaborations that continue to uplift the sport from the ground up.
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