RAROTONGA, Cook Islands — The Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association (OZVA), in partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), conducted beach volleyball coaching and referee development courses in the Cook Islands, bringing together participants from eight Pacific nations to strengthen technical expertise and support the long-term growth of the sport across Oceania.
Conducted through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Knowledge Transfer Program alongside the 2026 Oceania Beach Volleyball Championships, the initiative welcomed participants from the Cook Islands, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The program combined classroom instruction, international expertise and practical experience during the championships, allowing participants to develop skills they can apply within their respective national federations.
The initiative forms part of OZVA’s efforts to strengthen the technical capabilities of its member federations and establish a sustainable network of qualified coaches and referees throughout Oceania.
Coaching course focuses on athlete development and national programs
Led by Dr. Michael Rabago, the beach volleyball coaching course focused on athlete development, national team management and the establishment of sustainable beach volleyball programs.
Participants received instruction on coaching philosophy, athlete-centered development, periodization and training planning, national team selection, competition preparation and high-performance program management.
The course also introduced participants to FIVB Volleyball Empowerment opportunities, international rankings and competition pathways, providing information on resources available to support their national programs.
International coaches and specialists contributed to the program through virtual presentations, sharing their experiences and expertise with participants.
Guest presenters included Christopher Shepherd of Guam and Beth Van Fleet and Kelly Dorn of Georgia State University in the United States.
Their sessions addressed athlete development, technical training, high-performance program management, physical and mental preparation, and preparing athletes for higher levels of international competition.
The coaching course continued during the Oceania Beach Volleyball Championships, allowing participants to observe international matches and apply concepts discussed during classroom and virtual sessions.
Through match observation, coaches were encouraged to assess strategies, identify technical and tactical adjustments, and consider how these lessons could be incorporated into their national training programs.
Referee course provides international officiating experience
The referee development course, conducted by Darren Grimsey of Australia, focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of international beach volleyball officiating procedures and match management.
The program began with approximately one and a half days of classroom instruction covering the rules of the game, scoring procedures, line judging, court inspections and equipment preparation.
Participants then gained four days of practical experience officiating matches during the Oceania Beach Volleyball Championships.
The combination of theoretical instruction and tournament experience allowed participants to apply international officiating procedures in a competitive environment while developing their confidence and technical skills.
The practical component was particularly valuable for participants with limited previous exposure to international beach volleyball competitions.
The course also provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among referees from different Pacific nations and support their continued involvement in national and regional competitions.
Knowledge transfer supports sustainable volleyball development
The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Knowledge Transfer Program is a key component of OZVA’s efforts to address development challenges faced by national federations across Oceania.
Geographic isolation, international travel costs and limited access to technical education can restrict opportunities for coaches and referees from Pacific Island nations to receive specialized training.
By bringing international expertise directly to the region, the program enables participants from multiple national federations to benefit from shared educational opportunities without relying solely on overseas training.
The initiative also emphasizes the importance of extending the benefits of training beyond the immediate participants.
Coaches and referees are encouraged to share their newly acquired knowledge within their respective federations, helping develop additional technical personnel and strengthening national volleyball programs.
Conducting the courses alongside the Oceania Beach Volleyball Championships also allowed OZVA to use the regional competition as a platform for both athlete development and technical education.
OZVA expressed its appreciation to the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Program for its support, as well as to Dr. Michael Rabago, Darren Grimsey and the international guest presenters for sharing their expertise.
The association also acknowledged the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation, local organizing committee and volunteers for supporting the educational programs alongside the championships.
OZVA reaffirmed its commitment to working with FIVB and its member federations to expand knowledge transfer opportunities, strengthen coaching and officiating standards, and develop more sustainable national volleyball programs throughout Oceania.
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