The FIVB Beach Volleyball Coaches Course, hosted in Kigali from 22 to 26 September 2025, has been hailed as a landmark in the development of the sport in Rwanda and the wider region. Organized by the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) in collaboration with the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the course brought together 35 coaches, including participants from Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
The training was facilitated by FIVB instructor Claudia Costa Oliveira-Laciga from Brazil, alongside local co-facilitator Jean Paul Mana. Over the span of five days, coaches engaged in both theoretical and practical sessions designed to equip them with modern approaches to the game. They explored the core concepts of Technical Complex 1 and Technical Complex 2, which cover sequences from serve reception to attack, as well as strategies in serving, blocking, and counter-attack transitions. The program also introduced Tec-Tac training, a method that integrates technical skills with tactical application in match-like scenarios.
Each day blended classroom learning with hands-on drills on the sand, ensuring that the coaches not only absorbed the principles but also practiced their application in realistic game situations. Exercises ranged from warm-up and footwork routines to serve reception mechanics, positioning during attacks and defense, and specialized drills such as the butterfly concept to maintain flow in training. To consolidate their learning, participants worked in groups to design and deliver full training sessions that applied the knowledge gained throughout the week.
Beyond the technical aspects, the course placed strong emphasis on building capacity for long-term development of Beach Volleyball. A special lecture by FIVB-certified referee Ntanteteri Vedaste introduced coaches to officiating standards, including court safety, rules of the game, referees’ responsibilities, misconduct regulations, and the Beach Volleyball scoresheet, reinforcing the importance of holistic knowledge for the growth of the sport.
The course concluded with a King Tournament organized by the participating coaches, allowing them to experience competitive play in practice, followed by a theory exam and a session for participants to share feedback on the program. The closing ceremony brought together key figures including RNOSC President Alice Umulinga, FRVB President Raphael Ngarambe, and FRVB Secretary General Jean-Jacques Dukunde. In their remarks, leaders praised the initiative as a milestone for the sport, emphasizing that with a certified group of local and regional coaches, Beach Volleyball is now positioned to grow as a discipline independent from indoor volleyball.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, coach Charlotte Nzayisenga commended the collaborative spirit of the course and the expertise of the facilitators. She expressed confidence that the skills acquired would allow coaches to provide better training to young athletes and expand the reach of the sport in Rwanda and beyond.
Stakeholders believe this milestone reflects the federation’s growing ambition to introduce Beach Volleyball as a whole discipline on its own. With stronger coaching capacity and increasing organizational support, the country is expected to raise its competitiveness on the continental and global stage. The foundation laid through this course is seen as an essential step toward a more advanced and professional Beach Volleyball scene in the years to come.
