Austrian Federation launches ‘bio-secure bubble camps’ for younger players

Vienna, Austria. Austrian authorities introduced a second lockdown in response to the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this month. Since November 3, only elite sports competitions can take place until at least early December – which means that the top division of the national league as well as elite Volleyball and Beach Volleyball players can continue their activities. 

However, this rule excludes most of the junior players from competition. With this in mind, the Austrian Volleyball Federation (ÖVV) in cooperation with the performance centres has launched a special programme at camps in Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Styria and Carinthia, where young players of all ages have the opportunity to train four to seven times a week. 

ÖVV fitness coach Juan Arenillas is in charge of the physical training. The base supervisors are responsible for carrying out the exercise plans as well as ball training. The first sessions took place last week. ÖVV Sports Director Gottfried Rath-Zobernig: “Setting up this programme was a considerable effort. However, all of our coaches have put in the effort to make this offer available to many young athletes. We thus catch all those who otherwise could not train during the lockdown, and would just have to sit at home and wait. Our talents are at a crucial stage in their development. Therefore, there was not such an option to wait and see. We expect this measure to have a long-term positive effect on their careers and short-term success in the upcoming competitions such as the MEVZA Championships and future European Championship qualifiers.”  

ÖVV President Gernot Leitner: “It is the general aim of the ÖVV to work in several “Volleyball cells” in Austria, to supervise the offspring permanently, professionally and in a coordinated manner. This strategy now helps us to be able to ensure high-quality training support in several locations even in times of a national lockdown!” 

All trainings are taking place under strict safety and health requirements for players as much as for the coaching staff, following the example set this past summer by the ‘senior’ national teams. From the e-national team camp held last April – during the first lockdown – the ÖVV has now taken its efforts to the next level to guarantee the development of their rising stars even in the current difficult circumstances.

News:
CEV – European Volleyball
ÖVV – Volleyball Austria