Four Montenegrin coaches participated in the CEV convention in Portugal

The seventh edition of the CEV Coaches Convention was held last week in the Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo and brought together coaches and physical education teachers from all over Europe. Montenegrin volleyball was represented by four coaches – Nikola Mijušković, Marija Lučić (ex Bojović), Ljiljana Abazović and Vukašin Radošević.

This year's Convention focused on the role of grassroots coaches in creating positive, inclusive and developmentally-oriented volleyball experiences for children and youth. The program included theoretical lectures, practical demonstrations, group work and open discussions, and allowed participants to learn from experienced lecturers and to improve their own coaching approach and develop ideas in their work.

The Convention featured internationally recognized experts, including John Castle, Mark Lebedew, and Rosana Krajncz, who guided participants through key topics such as working with younger categories, age-appropriate physical preparation, player development, creativity in the training process, and the broader impact that coaches can have beyond simply imparting technical knowledge.

Special emphasis was placed on practical learning. Participants had the opportunity to observe and try out different exercises, work in groups, exchange examples of good practice and receive direct feedback from the trainers.

The event also created an important space for networking and collaboration among trainers from different countries and backgrounds. Through group discussions and joint activities, participants explored how the ideas presented during the Convention could be adapted and applied in their national and local settings.

The 2026 CEV Coaches Convention once again confirmed CEV's commitment to supporting coach education, developing volleyball at the grassroots level, and strengthening the European volleyball community.