Notes From The Field
Samlout Serves the Ball!
By Laia Meghdadi
25 July 2012
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On June 27th, 2012 MJP held a co-ed volleyball competition for its community sport clubs in four rural schools. A total of ten teams participated. Of these ten, three were all girl teams, making it the first time an all girls team participated in a volleyball competition in the rural district. Girl power!
In the weeks leading up to the competition, the sport leaders/coaches of each club were invited to several full day volleyball skills trainings, lead by the director of the Battambang Provincial Education Sport Office in Provincial Education. With their newly improved skills as referees and coaches, the sport leaders returned to their respective clubs and shared their technical skills with their teams.
As competition day arrived, the professionalism and organization demonstrated by all participants and staff was simply outstanding. With an opening ceremony, back to back games, an organized lunch meal for each team, and a closing ceremony consisting of short speeches from community members and prizes, the day not only exceeded all expectations but was also an explosion of fun!
Having the opportunity to observe and participate in several sport club meetings in the weeks prior to the training allowed me to see firsthand, the importance of sports and active play on childhood/youth development. Thank you MJP.
About the Author:
Laia is one of the education interns volunteering at MJP for the summer of 2012. She's a fourth year student at York University in Toronto, Canada enrolled in a double major- International Development Studies and Communications. Here is one of her stories-experiences.