The AVCA Expanding Abroad!

Hi everyone, my name is Sachiko Miyake, and I am the newest intern here at the American Volleyball Coaches Association. I'm originally from Japan, but I'm currently getting my MBA from a German university in Berlin.  As I've traveled all over the world studying and playing volleyball, my life has taken me to Lexington, Kentucky...

I will be working here for just a few months  In Japan, we are interested in establishing a coaches association similar to what the AVCA does, which I am currently working on writing a master thesis about.  I am studying the AVCA internally as a business model, and will take what I learn to Japan to start a coaches association of our own!  Obviously there are different cultural tweaks that will have to be made, but the ultimate foundation will be similar.   

During this internship, I would especially like to learn the marketing, financial structure, operation system, and what makes the AVCA attractive, as they have more than 5,500 members throughout the U.S!  So, my main task while I am here will be:

Developing an international growth strategy for the AVCA.  My thought is that the AVCA and the JVCA can eventually be a bridge to take an initiative to host volleyball exchange programs between the U.S. and Japan.  My experience playing volleyball in different countries and sharing a love for a sport with many other women of diverse backgrounds made me believe the potential power of volleyball.  I am excited to be here in Lexington and be a part of the AVCA team!  Let's see what these two months will bring!