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Finnish Volleyball
I thought I would share some images and facts about Finnish Volleyball, I'm currently into my 2nd year in
Finland and impressed by the amount of volleyball that is around in the country.
| * The first one I heard about was the homenokat volleyball tournament. It is a veteran's volleyball tournament from over 35s (women) through to over 65s (men). Teams from around the country travel to what is known as the Middle Finland volleyball region to take part in a weekend event.
* The second thing learnt was the semi-pro league taking place, with a maximum of 2 foreign players per team, audiences between 300 and 1500 per match and weekly
TV broadcasts (now reduced due to financing package), live teletext updates, full utilisation of game
statisticians and just 2 line judges per match.
Interesting fact, Alex Bialokoz played a few years ago, so did, more recently, Nathan Bennett. Currently Shah Ramadoo is coaching a women's team. I have just left my team/s in pursue of a trip to Greece!!! |
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| * The third, is sitting volleyball leagues take place, consisting of a national league and division 1 and over 45s categories. It still features some players from the Bronze Medal team of 2000 - That's the Paralympic Bronze if you didn't know.
Then there is the annual beach sitting volleyball tournament, held during the summer, during which time, there is approximately 22hrs of sunlight, and nightfall never exists, just a forever dust and dawn.
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* Fourth, the world largest youth tournament is held annually. Last year, we experience, sun, rain, a bit of snow/hail, wind and cold. Over 300 courts of youth volleyball. Surprisingly, most teams come from Finland, where the population of the nation is less than the amount of people living in London. The new FIVB President Wei made an appearance with a nice gold FIVB badge.
The Power Cup is situated at the Seinäjoki horse track, over 900 teams
take part, 8500 youngsters from 7 to 22 years of age. More than 4,500 games are played on 300 outdoor courts during four competition days! |
The court plan showing the 300 courts at the Seinäjoki horse track |
| * Fifth, last summer, the only team to beat Brazil was, in fact, none other than the Finnish Men Volleyball Team. With an Italian head coach, the Finnish National Team is getting the nation's hopes up for a representation in the 2012 games.
Another interesting fact, the Canadian born British player, Jason Haldane is currently playing in Serie 1 team based in
Monza, coincidently coached by the Head Coach of Finland. Jason plays along side two Finnish national team players in
Monza. I'm not too sure if he is meant to play middle, but being a volleyball player, I guess he could play anywhere on the court. |
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| * 6th, Finland and Sweden host one of the Swatch FIVB world tour events, annually in Åland as the PAF Open. PAF stands for 'Play Amongst Friends'. Last year, Andres Pienaar was there as a referee.
He was nominated 1st referee during the women bronze medal match.
There are a pair of Finnish sister's who play on the FIVB World Tour. They are currently based in Greece playing for a club there. |
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There are plenty of opportunities to catch up with Volleyball in Finland:
* Power cup is during the beginning of June to coincide with their school holidays.
http://lentopalloliitto-fi.directo.fi/powercup/home/
Entry is already opened.
* World League starts in June, Finland play against USA, Russia and Egypt. Tickets last year were around 25E per match.
* The Majola Beach Tournament is held every July. There is now a flight direct from Stansted to Laapeenranta, the city where the tournament is held.
http://personal.inet.fi/yhdistys/esi/beachvolley_ENG.html
* The Swatch FIVB World Tour event is held during August on the scenic island of Åland.
http://www.pafopen.com/
* Homenokat tournament has open entrants for veterans, it's held every September, just before the Finnish season commences.
If anyone wants/needs further advice on Volleyball in Finland, feel free to send me an
email, Ng Kwok kwok.w.ng@gmail.com
Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Hugh McCutcheon (USA Head Coach and Olympic Gold Medal Men coach) is hosting a coaching clinic on the differences of coaching Men and Women's volleyball. It will be held on the weekend of the 17-19th March 2010 and in Tampere. Tampere has an excellent link with Stansted Airport with Ryanair, so if you want to travel light for the clinic, book early. There are only 30 places reserved for international coaches and visitors.
http://www.lentopalloliitto.fi/koulutus/pro_hvt2/19-21_3_2010/pro_hvt_in_english/
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