Performance Pathways Coaches Complete FIVB Level 2 Coaching Course

22 July 2024

Two of our Performance Pathways coaches, Rachel Orchard and Trent Woodward, recently participated in the FIVB International Volleyball Coaching Course, run at the South Australian Sports Institute.

The course was led by South Australian volleyball legend, Mark Lebedew, whom has incredible knowledge and an extensive volleyball resume. Mark is a former Australian National Team head coach, and has been coaching professionally in Europe since 2003. Mark is about to join a new club for the 2024/2025 season, Nova Technology Lycurgus B.V in the Netherlands.

The coaching course, held over 5-days, included a diverse group of coaches from around Australia, and abroad.

The course covered a number of concepts, including:

Advanced Techniques
Tactics and Player Development
Coaching Concepts
Match Analysis (Video and Statistical)
Team Development Methodologies

Looking back on the 5-days, Performance Pathway Head Coach, Rachel, said,

"there were some great discussions on advanced coaching techniques and skill development."

"The course was run well by Volleyball Australia and I feel privileged that I was able to learn from SA born Mark Lebedew."

Rachel has seen more volleyball than most from her 10-year overseas professional career, much of which she is adapting to apply to her coaching,

"the course helped me to translate tactics, player development and coaching concepts that I picked up as a player, and bring them forward into my coaching."

"My philosophy on the international men's and women's game has been broadened and I'm excited to bring that into our training environments here in South Australia."

Performance Pathway Coach, Trent, who followed up the coaching course with an U23 Women's silver medal at the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships said,

"it was a great experience to be in a room full of coaches who have a world of varying experiences, as this lead to some very thought challenging discussions."

"It was eye-opening to have Mark consistently pushing us to open our minds to a larger world of volleyball and a deeper level of thinking required to coach at that next level."

"I'm grataeful to have the support of VSA to attend and complete this course. It has provided me with an extra level of confidence that I look forward to bringing back to the South Australian Community."