Federations
Estonian Federation joins high-level partners to grow Sitting Volleyball
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Article Wed, Apr 24 2019
Tallinn, Estonia, April 24, 2019. The Estonian Volleyball Federation is proud to be part of an international project known as SIT2PLAY – doing so in cooperation with the Estonian Paralympic Committee, the Estonian Federation of Disability Sport, the Estonian Defence Forces and Erasmus+. The culmination of the project is a Sitting Volleyball tournament for young players that is due to take place in Tallinn – with attendance to a major tournament in Rome as the first-place prize at stake.
Sitting Volleyball has a remarkable history in Estonia – during the Soviet era, Estonian players won several medals from the Soviet national championship, including one gold. Afterwards, the Estonian national team participated in the European Championships a number of times – with the 1997 edition held in Estonia.
In recent years, Sitting Volleyball in Estonia has been in the spotlight mostly thanks to the injured veterans of the Estonian Defence Forces, who have successfully participated in the Invictus Games.
Helen Veermäe, Secretary General at the Estonian Volleyball Federation is convinced Sitting Volleyball has its place on the Estonian Volleyball scene. “It is a privilege to be part of this project led by the Italian Volleyball Federation. Today Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in Estonia and we are trying to spread its momentum to Sitting Volleyball as well. I hope this project will bring new life to Sitting Volleyball,” Veermäe commented.
Signe Falkenberg, Secretary General of the Estonian Paralympic Committee added: “Sitting Volleyball suits people of all ages and in Estonia we have plenty of courts to play. I really hope this project supported by Erasmus+ will help Sitting Volleyball grow even further.”
The purpose of the youth tournament and training for teachers and coaches in Tallinn is to integrate different people through Sitting Volleyball – it is a sport for everyone, not just for people with disabilities. The main lecturer is former player Ivar Liiv, while members of the Estonian Invictus Team are also on the spot to share their experience.
Ivar Liiv is one of the leaders of Sitting Volleyball in Estonia and he has high expectations for the future of this sport. “Mainly thanks to the Invictus Team, Sitting Volleyball is on the rise again. I encourage everyone to try this – also former top-level players. We try to introduce the sport also outside the capital, going to smaller towns,” said Liiv who also organises an international tournament every year in Tallinn. “This year, it takes place on April 27 and I am proud to say this will be the 32nd edition.”
Sitting Volleyball has a remarkable history in Estonia – during the Soviet era, Estonian players won several medals from the Soviet national championship, including one gold. Afterwards, the Estonian national team participated in the European Championships a number of times – with the 1997 edition held in Estonia.
In recent years, Sitting Volleyball in Estonia has been in the spotlight mostly thanks to the injured veterans of the Estonian Defence Forces, who have successfully participated in the Invictus Games.
Helen Veermäe, Secretary General at the Estonian Volleyball Federation is convinced Sitting Volleyball has its place on the Estonian Volleyball scene. “It is a privilege to be part of this project led by the Italian Volleyball Federation. Today Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in Estonia and we are trying to spread its momentum to Sitting Volleyball as well. I hope this project will bring new life to Sitting Volleyball,” Veermäe commented.
Signe Falkenberg, Secretary General of the Estonian Paralympic Committee added: “Sitting Volleyball suits people of all ages and in Estonia we have plenty of courts to play. I really hope this project supported by Erasmus+ will help Sitting Volleyball grow even further.”
The purpose of the youth tournament and training for teachers and coaches in Tallinn is to integrate different people through Sitting Volleyball – it is a sport for everyone, not just for people with disabilities. The main lecturer is former player Ivar Liiv, while members of the Estonian Invictus Team are also on the spot to share their experience.
Ivar Liiv is one of the leaders of Sitting Volleyball in Estonia and he has high expectations for the future of this sport. “Mainly thanks to the Invictus Team, Sitting Volleyball is on the rise again. I encourage everyone to try this – also former top-level players. We try to introduce the sport also outside the capital, going to smaller towns,” said Liiv who also organises an international tournament every year in Tallinn. “This year, it takes place on April 27 and I am proud to say this will be the 32nd edition.”