Volleyball: Juniors get free coaching and officials courses chance

Stowmarket Volleyball Club is one of only 14 in the country that has been selected to offer young people a fantastic opportunity to train as a volleyball coach, official or to support a club. 

Thanks to funding from V-Inspired the club are able to offer free coaching, officiating and club development courses, including transport and accommodation expenses, for the young volunteers (aged 16-25). 

A club spokesman said: "The courses are designed for people with no volleyball knowledge, but take you to a level that gives you a valuable qualification. The course fee for the coaching course alone is usually £200 before you consider transport and accommodation (the courses are not run nearby)."

There are two options for the coaching strand – Leicester on Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9, or Brighton on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 and 20. 

The officiating course will consist of a residential training weekend in Kettering from Friday, January 2, to Sunday, January 23. 

Participants will undertake the Grade 4 refereeing course and line judging and scoring training. 

The club development course will also take place as residential course in Kettering from Friday, March 4, to Sunday, March 6. 

Participants will receive training on aspects such as website design and Club Mark accreditation.

"Having any of these on your CV/application forms will look great as they show a willingness to make decisions, communicate and help others," said the spokesman.

Volleyball England are asking for a £50 deposit before volunteers are given a place on any of the courses. This will then be refunded once they have undertaken 20 hours of volunteering with a club. 

There will be plenty of opportunities with Stowmarket VC over the summer and possibly also with Suffolk’s other clubs.

Deadline for applications is January 1, 2011, however, if you want to get on the Leicester coaching course, you should apply to Ilona Berry – i.berry@volleyballengland.org – right now.

• For details about Stowmarket Volleyball Club, visit the club's website.