Swieqi Phoenix Volleyball recently launched a pilot project as part of its participation in the European Union's Erasmus + 'Dual Career for Female Athletes in Volleyball' project (DONA). The DONA Project targets around 250 female volleyball athletes between the ages of 12 and 20 from four volleyball clubs from Malta, Italy, France and Spain respectively.
The principal objectives of DONA are to decrease female athletes' dropout rate from volleyball clubs, and to prepare athletes from an early age for the different life transition periods ahead, by developing the required skills and competences. The ultimate goal of DONA is to increase the number of female volleyball players by retaining talents at clubs and supporting their dual career development. Meanwhile, participating clubs will endeavour to make young athletes and their families aware that it is possible to aim for both an educational and sports career, while helping them find the right balance between sports and education, by providing them with the required support services. DONA also aims to prepare these athletes for their upcoming challenge to be successful in the change from elite sport to the labour market - for the 'career after the career'.
The launch of the Dona Project in Malta took the form a meeting for the club's coaches, managers, parents and players, as well as the Project Coordinators, during which the objectives, the implementation, and the monitoring of the Project in Malta were explained and discussed.
Commenting on the club's participation in this project, President Orlando Bonnici said that since its inception, "Phoenix Sports Club has always emphasised the developmental aspects involved in creating athletes. This includes actively encouraging and assisting our young players - and their parents - to balance commitments related to study and sports. These efforts have led to relatively low dropout rates in the club. By means of our participation in the DONA project, we aim to further reduce the number of players who leave the world of sport because of educational or life transition pressures".
For more information about Swieqi Phoenix Volleyball, the DONA Project, or to join one of the club's nursery teams, visit their Facebook page or write to [email protected].