‘Scholarships’ available for FIVB coaches clinic

Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association is open to help volleyball enthusiasts who are interested in taking part in next month’s FIVB Coaches Course – Level 1 (How to Coach) program but cannot afford it.

This according to NMIVA president Laurie Peteka, who said individuals who are facing financial difficulty but are interested in enrolling in the clinic should contact her at the soonest possible time to inquire about scholarship availability.

“NMIVA is working on a co-op program with NMASA to facilitate individuals who may not be able to afford the fees. Interested applicants should not be discouraged from signing up. Eligibility will be handled on a case-by-case basis and reviewed by the NMIVA Board for final determination,” Peterka said in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

She said the FIVB Coaches Course – Level 1 (How to Coach) program, which will be conducted by Aussie Tomas Santamaria, will not discriminate against anyone, even if you don’t have the means to fork out the $130-$150 fee required to take part in it.

“We are doing everything we can to help facilitate participation and access to everyone who is interested in this clinic. This is not a fundraising event. Fees are strictly being used to facilitate this event only and we are trying our best to get those costs down by requesting in-kind donations. We hope that we can offer a graduate-rebate to those individuals who complete the course, but we won’t know if we can do this until the course is completed,” she said.

The FIVB Coaches Course – Level 1 (How to Coach) clinic will only be accepting a maximum of 30 participants.

Those interested are responsible for completing an application form and depositing fees—$150 for non-NMIVA members or $130 for NMIVA members—with NMIVA by July 16.

A coaching workbook, videos and handouts, equipment for training, T-shirts, facilities, and a graduation banquet at Pacific Islands Club are covered by the enrollment fee.

Part of Volleyball World Vision 2012, the program is for under-privileged countries and is also dubbed the Volleyball Cooperation Programme.

Graduates of this program will earn an FIVB Level 1 Coaching Certificate—an invaluable asset towards the development of volleyball for both the CNMI as a whole and for the individuals who complete the course.

Applications for the August FIVB Coaches Clinic are now available for pick up at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Please see Joe Mettao between 8am and 4pm, Monday-Friday all this week.

Applications will be collected at the Ada Gym conference room on Wednesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 16.

If you have any questions or are looking for additional information, contact Peterka at laurie.peterka@saipan.com or NMIVA board member Russ Quinn at saipanruss@yahoo.com.

NMIVA is the CNMI’s umbrella volleyball association covering all aspects of indoor and outdoor games and players. NMIVA is a bona fide current member of FIVB and NMASA.

All of the organization’s fundraisers put money into the development of volleyball in the CNMI. NMIVA is encouraging volleyball enthusiasts to become a member today for a mere $20 a year. Members get regular email updates and discounts on all NMIVA-sanctioned volleyball events throughout the year.