SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 21, 2026.– A total of 38 coaches from 14 countries will participate in the International Level III Volleyball Coaches Course, scheduled for November 3-10 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, organized by the NORCECA-FIVB International Center of Sports Excellence.
The course will take place at the National Volleyball Training Center, located within the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, bringing together coaches seeking to strengthen their technical, methodological, and strategic knowledge for managing high-performance teams.
The countries that have confirmed their participation are Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Honduras, Chile, Puerto Rico, Panama, Peru, Mexico, Saint Lucia, El Salvador, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has appointed three renowned international specialists as instructors: Antonio Rizola of Brazil, Luis Muchaga of Spain, and Ariel Sainz of Cuba. They will lead the academic sessions and share their expertise in coaching, preparing, and managing teams at the highest competitive level.
The Level III Course is among the most advanced training opportunities within the FIVB’s coaches’ education program. Its curriculum focuses on developing the skills required for training planning, game analysis, and the technical management of high-performance teams.
Professor Nelson José Ramírez, Director of the NORCECA-FIVB International Center of Sports Excellence, highlighted the importance of this course, which will conclude the institution’s international academic program for 2026.
Throughout the year, the Center conducted an extensive educational program that included international Level I and Level II coaching courses, a continental course for physical education teachers, training on intelligent coaching and the integration of artificial intelligence into sports planning and analysis, as well as national courses for volleyball referees and scorers.
Ramírez expressed his appreciation to the FIVB and NORCECA Confederation for their continued support and confidence in the Center, which continues to establish itself as a leading institution for volleyball education and professional development.
He also emphasized the institution’s recent elevation to the status of International Center of Sports Excellence, a recognition that strengthens its international standing and expands its opportunities to contribute to the education of coaches, technical staff, and other sports professionals.
Among the year’s most significant activities, Ramírez highlighted the Cuban women’s national volleyball team’s decision to use the Center’s facilities for its preparation ahead of the Santo Domingo 2026 Games and other international commitments.
The Cuban team subsequently earned the silver medal at the Santo Domingo 2026 Games and secured qualification for the upcoming FIVB World Championship and the Olympic qualifying tournament, achievements that reflect the team’s preparation efforts.
With the International Level III Volleyball Coaches Course, the NORCECA-FIVB International Center of Sports Excellence reaffirms its commitment to specialized education, knowledge exchange, and the continued development of volleyball throughout the region and worldwide.