There are moments in life when passion finds you — when you’re not even looking for it, yet it steps into your path and changes everything.
That’s exactly how volleyball found me.
My journey as a volleyball coach began in 2014, during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program at Edo State. I was posted to Platoon 10, and to be honest, our team was struggling. We lost almost every inter-platoon event — from athletics to drills to volleyball.
One evening, while walking around the camp field, I saw the ladies from my platoon training alone. There was no coach, no coordination — just determination and a love for the game. I stood watching for a while and then made a decision that would later change the course of my life: I volunteered to coach them.
I wasn’t a professional coach at the time. I had never even thought of coaching anyone before. But what I lacked in experience, I made up for with curiosity and effort. I spent nights watching YouTube videos, learning rules, formations, and drills.
By day, I practiced those lessons with the ladies.
Weeks later, our hard work paid off — we won first place in the volleyball competition.
The celebration wasn’t just about victory; it was about discovery. I discovered something within me — the ability to lead, to teach, and to inspire through sports.
That camp in Edo wasn’t just the beginning of a win; it was the beginning of a calling.
Learning, Injury, and a New Beginning
After camp, I returned to Abuja with a new curiosity about volleyball. In 2015, I started learning the game more deeply at Jabi Lake Sand Court, under the mentorship of Coach Tunde and Coach ABS.
At first, I was simply a player — an outside hitter, known more for intelligence and precision than raw power. I loved reading the game — understanding angles, spacing, and strategy. I learned how teamwork in volleyball mirrored teamwork in life. Every touch mattered, every role counted.
But life threw me a curveball. In 2016, I sustained a leg injury that changed how I played. I could no longer jump or move like I used to. For most athletes, that might have been the end of their story — but for me, it became a turning point.
Instead of sitting idle, I decided to pour my knowledge, experience, and passion into others. I transitioned from being a player to being a coach.
That decision redefined how I saw success — not in how many points I scored, but in how many players I could inspire to believe in themselves.
Building Teams and Finding Purpose
My first coaching assignment was with Pacers Volleyball Club, located in Life Camp, Abuja.
When I arrived, the team was just a group of friends and strangers playing casually without structure, leadership, or goals. I joined one of their practice games, and after the match, the team captain, Bayo, approached me.
He said, “Coach, can you help us become better?”
I couldn’t say no — not because of pride, but because of love for the game.
I started training them regularly, focusing on teamwork, discipline, and confidence. Slowly, the team began to transform. Our passes improved, our serves became sharper, and our communication stronger.
Our first major test came against a team from Maitama, Abuja — and we won. That victory wasn’t just about points; it was about proving what structure and belief can do.
By 2018, my coaching journey took me to Family Worship Center Church Volleyball Club in Wuye, Abuja. We built a strong, faith-driven team spirit and recorded multiple victories in friendly tournaments across the city.
In 2019, my dream took another step forward. I established my own volleyball training ground at Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa. My vision was clear — to train young students, ignite their passion early, and mentor them into professional players. Unfortunately, in 2020, COVID-19 disrupted everything. Schools were closed, gatherings were banned, and the project couldn’t continue.
Still, I didn’t stop. I believed that passion might be paused, but never extinguished.
Coaching Across Cities: Lagos and Beyond
In 2021, I relocated to Lagos, a new city and a new beginning.
There, I met members of VBC (Volleyball Crush) — a young, energetic team eager to learn and grow. I began coaching them, bringing all my experience and patience into play.
Not long after, I was invited by Phoenix Volleyball Club to help train their players. They offered to pay me, but I politely declined. I wasn’t coaching for money; I was coaching because of passion.
Seeing young people give their all for the love of volleyball, even with little recognition, reminded me why I started.
For me, volleyball coaching has always been about impact, not income — about helping others find purpose in the game, just like I did.
The Access Bank Story: Turning Beginners into Champions
Then came 2023, and with it, one of my greatest coaching challenges yet.
Access Bank Nigeria reached out to me, asking if I could coach their volleyball team for the upcoming Bankers’ Games. But there was a catch — the ladies had never played volleyball before, and we had only a few weeks to prepare.
It sounded impossible. But I’ve always believed that “nothing is impossible if you’re willing to try.”
The first few days were rough — serves were off, passes went everywhere, and coordination was almost nonexistent. But day by day, they improved. We built trust, strength, and teamwork. I pushed them hard, not because I wanted medals, but because I wanted them to believe in themselves.
And then came the miracle: Access Bank won Silver in the volleyball category — losing only to the defending champions, Wema Bank, a team that had dominated the competition for years.
We were underdogs who became contenders.
In 2024, despite starting training late, the team went on to win Bronze. That consistency was proof that what we built went beyond luck — it was built on resilience, commitment, and heart.
It was one of the proudest moments of my career — not because of the color of the medal, but because of the transformation of those players from beginners into champions.
Lessons I Learned from Volleyball Coaching
Leadership Is Service: Coaching isn’t about control; it’s about helping others discover what they’re capable of.
Knowledge Grows When Shared: Every time I taught others, I learned something new myself — about the game, about people, about patience.
Consistency Beats Talent: It’s not the most talented player who wins, but the one who keeps showing up.
Unity Wins Games: Volleyball is a metaphor for life — no one succeeds alone.
Success Is More Than Medals: The true victory is in growth — seeing beginners become confident athletes.
My Coaching Philosophy
“Passion before Payment. Team before Ego. Progress before Perfection.”
I’ve always believed that no one is untrainable. Every player can learn — all they need is guidance, empathy, and consistency.
Volleyball, to me, is not just a sport — it’s a reflection of life.
You dive for the ball, sometimes you miss, sometimes you score — but the real win is staying in the game, supporting your teammates, and giving your all every time.
Coaching taught me patience, empathy, and the power of collective effort. I’ve seen players transform not just in skill, but in confidence, teamwork, and discipline. That transformation is the real gold.
Future Vision: Building the Next Generation
Though I’ve hung my belt as a coach for now, I know this journey is not over.
My dream is to someday return to Abuja and establish a Youth Volleyball Academy — a space where young people can train, learn, and grow under proper mentorship.
I want to build a community that nurtures talent and character — a place where every child who steps onto the court feels seen, supported, and inspired.
Because Nigeria is full of gifted youths who only need guidance and structure to shine.
My hope is to create that structure — to raise champions who are disciplined, confident, and humble, both on and off the court.
Final Thoughts
From the dusty courts of Edo camp to the bright lights of Lagos Bankers’ Games, my volleyball coaching journey has been a story of passion, resilience, and purpose.
I’ve learned that sometimes, we discover our purpose not when everything is perfect, but when everything seems uncertain — and we choose to step up anyway.
Volleyball gave me more than medals — it gave me memories, friendships, and a deeper understanding of leadership.
And even though I’m currently taking a break, I carry those lessons with me in everything I do.
Because in the end, true coaching is about leaving people better than you met them.
And that, to me, is the greatest victory of all.
✍️ About the Author
Fintan Echeozo is a web designer, creative strategist, and hands-on problem solver who believes in learning, fixing, and creating things yourself. When he’s not designing websites at Bluoyster Technology Services, he’s probably tinkering with a DIY project or writing about personal growth and creativity on his blog.
