Local coaching course in volleyball in the works

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association is planning to hold a localized version of the FIVB Level I Coaching Course to help develop coaches in the CNMI.

NMIVA president Laurie Peterka said they will be discussing the possibilities of creating a national coaching certification in their board meeting this month.

“While we have not defined exactly how it will work or when it will take place, it might be something like five Saturdays (four-hour courses) with a practical exam and a final exam to earn a NMIVA coaching certificate. This certificate would enable those who successfully accomplish this goal to enter into our next international accreditation program such as the course we just completed,” Peterka said in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

Peterka and nine other coaches/players completed the Level I Coaching Course from Federation Internationale de Volleyball last month.

FIBV instructor and 10-time Australian Men’s National Team coach Tomas Santamaria conducted the weeklong clinic from Aug. 20 to 27 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The course discussed practices, theories, and techniques in indoor volleyball. It taught participants the fundamentals of both playing and teaching indoor volleyball, conditioning, mental preparations, and team cooperation, and variety of drills for beginners to juniors to advanced players.

After the theories and practical exam, participants took a final exam with all passing it and receiving certification from FIVB.

Russ Quinn, who coached the CNMI in the men’s and women’s beach volleyball competitions in the South Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa last year, took the certification course and would want to share what he learned from Santamaria to the community.

“The clinic was great. We had a good turnout of experience players who are looking to give back what they learned from FIVB to the volleyball community here,” Quinn said.

Besides Quinn and Peterka, other graduates of the FIVB course were Mili Saiki, Mark McDonald, Joe Taijeron, Tamiko Winkfield, Christopher Shepherd, Gabriel White, and Kim Peterson.

Peterka said having a national coaching certification program is one of the best ways to develop volleyball in the Commonwealth. Having such a program might also help the CNMI in seeking funding from FIVB.

“FIVB is the second largest sports federation in the world with over $250 million in funds and with 219 member countries. It is the only sport with two disciplines in the Olympics with both the indoor and beach volleyball competitions. Through NMIVA and our association with FIVB, the CNMI has the opportunity to expand volleyball to all the local youth. We just need commitment and dedication from teachers and volunteer youth coordinators,” Peterka said.

She added that having a national coaching certification program will help bring a new enthusiasm to volleyball in the CNMI. The program is part of NMIVA’s plan to continue what former NMIVA president Jon Cramer did in his term. Peterka said Cramer wanted to focus on the development of the youth and junior players, both in indoor and beach volleyball.