Why Volleyball?

Twenty-One versus Zero Aklan, like the rest of the Philippines, is obsessed with basketball. Despite this, Aklan produced a minuscule number of basketball players compared to that of volleyball. From 2020, national volleyball players from Aklan are 21 versus 0 for basketball. This trend has held for the last decades.

Accessible

Volleyball requires less costly equipment and a smaller land area for the courts.

Inclusive

Unlike basketball, women’s volleyball games are equally popular as men’s. There are no provincial women’s basketball tournaments in Aklan – ever.

Apt for the Aklanon Anatomy

Basketball needs height. We don’t have it. Physiologically the Filipino athlete can excel in volleyball as it needs strong legs, quick reflexes, and agility.

Roots and Fruits

To succeed, the LO needed to train young volleyball players, as well as their local coaches. The training focused on a scientific perspective. For the young athletes – it is skill development and for the coaches – strategy. Equally important is to emphasize leadership and accountability. All participants were given assignments at the end of the day and were tasked to perform thereafter. Finally, the young athletes were inspired, and infused with confidence to strive hard to reach the heights of their athletic careers. JCI Aklan Kalantiao organized a program that empowers, modernizes, and creates a positive impact on the volleyball community. To shed light on the volleyball community and help empower the young. Moreover, it is necessary to involve the communities to promote volleyball. The LO invited a world-class Italian coach and professional Filipino volleyball athlete and sports analyst.

Fabio Menta (“Fabio”), an FIVB / International Olympic Committee & Oceania Volleyball instructor of indoor & beach Volleyball Head coach and Asian Volleyball Cup beach Volleyball Referee. (Held several Clinics over the Philippines with 243 Coaches certified in 2019-2022 now with 32 titles won in Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Subic, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Pavia, Ormoc, Naga, Koronadal.) He is also a Program Coordinator for 9 Teams in the World (Philippines – South Africa Mauritius – Vietnam). He is the Director of “The Science of Modern Volleyball Academy Online.” He discussed the Science of Modern Volleyball Module for this camp.

Andre Joseph Pareja (“AJ”), MD, MBA is the Resident Sports Analyst for Volleyball of One Sports and a Professional Beach Volleyball player with National Team experience. He was a Team Captain of the Philippine Men’s Volleyball Team for the South East Asian Games 2015 and Team Captain of Ateneo Men’s Volleyball. He was awarded as Team Most Valuable Player and Best Attacker UAAP Men’s Volleyball 2010 Season. He also played a role in Creamline Beach Volleyball Club Team(2020) and CIGNAL Men’s Indoor Team (2019). He discussed the Volleyball Skills Enhancement Module for this camp. This event was free for Aklanon Volleyball Coaches and Athletes and took place at NVC Auditorium, Kalibo, Aklan. This was participated by 25 Coaches and 75 Athletes from all over the 17 towns of Aklan.

The Winds of Change

Despite the many challenges that faced the implementation of the project – the LO persevered. The project was a success. And the feedback was immensely positive. “I can see more possibilities and take confidence in training my jump serves (critical to volleyball success)” – comment from a young athlete “We changed our total formula” – comment from a coach “Let’s do this again next year, and with more funding” – commitment from the provincial governor