The FIVB and Uruguayan Volleyball Federation (FUV) have continued to elevate the level of beach volleyball in Uruguay with coaching support via the FIVB Development Programme.
Since 2017, the FIVB has supported the Development Programme for national teams in Uruguay through yearly three-month coaching support projects. In particular, FIVB Instructor Juan Manuel Cartagena de Jesús has worked in coordination with FUV to restructure their national team programme to strengthen national coaches and ensure talent pathways are created to improve the overall level of Uruguay’s national teams. The projects have also enjoyed the support of Uruguay’s government and the Uruguayan Olympic Committee.
Together with the FIVB, FUV has identified clear objectives and redirected its vision towards achieving results on the international stage. For example, Projects Platform support has helped the Uruguay men’s national beach volleyball team go from strength to strength over the past few years.
This has been showcased in some great results for the team, including qualifying for, and performing better than ever before in, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Hamburg 2019 and qualifying for the Pan American Games (beating teams like Cuba and Brazil). The team’s next goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 beach volleyball competition through the South American Olympic Qualification Tournament.
FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said:
“The great results of the Uruguay men’s national beach volleyball team are testament to the importance of improving the level of national teams worldwide by reinvesting the money that comes from the sport back into the sport.
“The FIVB is fully committed to strengthening national teams worldwide, which is why we have launched Volleyball Empowerment. Through this we will support even more National Federations and national teams to help them reach their potential and elevate our beloved sport to greater heights worldwide.”
FUV President Guido Salvo Palleiro said:
“FUV is now a clear example of the development that can be driven through the FIVB Projects Platform. Over the past three years since the platform began, we took on the task of maximizing our efforts in collaboration with an FIVB Instructor, and we have been able to drive forward our national team Development Programme.
“We have been able to build depth within both our volleyball and beach volleyball national teams and this has translated to great results on the court. The FIVB’s support through Projects Platform has been instrumental in this development and volleyball in Uruguay certainly has a bright future ahead.”
FIVB Instructor Juan Manuel Cartagena de Jesús said:
“These projects are only successful when the National Federation, Olympic Committee and local government give it the importance it deserves. The FIVB Projects Platform is a very valuable for the development of volleyball worldwide, but it is important that there is an adequate relationship where developing countries can grow.
“In small countries or in countries with little exposure to our sport, National Federations should redirect their international efforts to beach volleyball, since there are many more opportunities for growth and achievements for the country.”
FUV is currently receiving 12-months of support after its project was approved via the FIVB Projects Platform 2020.