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BIP’s Annual Global Challenge

photo credit // Wanderlust Travel Magazine

The 15th Annual Global Challenge will take place in Pula, Croatia on July 16 through July 19, 2019 for u18 and u23 teams from around the world. Pre tours will start July 10th.

The mission of the Global Challenge is to provide teams international playing experience and exposure. Past tournaments participants have included club and country federation teams from Slovenia, Russia, Romania, Germany, Bosnia, Montenegro, China, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Denmark and Puerto Rico, plus USA regional HP, youth national, junior national, and collegiate national teams.

Last year’s U17 division Global Challenge proved to be a volleyball showdown between Croatia’s Youth National Team and Slovenia’s Nova KBM Branik. In the U23 final match the USA College National Team toppled the Mountain West Conference All-Star Team.  To gain insights from players and coaches in attendance at last year’s tournament, be sure to watch these video interviews on our live blog.

In preparation for tournament play Pre-tours will take place throughout Europe between July 5th-8th. Opening ceremonies will take place on July 9th in  Pula, Croatia, a town marked by 3,000 year old Roman ruins including one of the last remaining fully intact Roman Colosseums in the world dating back to 68 AD. All teams, regardless of their nationality, stay in close quarters at the beach front Hotel Pula to encourage a cultural exchange between players and coaches.  The hotel is perfectly positioned within walking distance to both the competition arena and the crystal teal water of the Adriatic Sea.

Competitive international volleyball is what you get at the Global Challenge year after year.  If you’re a volleyball player, coach or fan who loves to travel, there’s no better place in the world to be in July than Pula, Croatia. For more tournament information and results, head over to the 2018 Global Challenge Tournament website here.

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Life is Better on Two Wheels

Since 1996 Bring It Promotions (BIP) has been hosting collegiate teams from the USA around the world to sightsee and play matches. Summer 2017 has proven to not be any different as a total of 15 university teams are going through Europe 10-14 days at a time for a unique team bonding experience of navigating new countries and playing tough foreign competition.

On many of these trips, it is a chance for players and coaches to experience life in different countries around the world for the first time. The bonding between the team as a whole is heightened due to being placed in situations which inhibit accomplishing tasks outside of each individual’s comfort zones.

Tasks done as a team on a daily basis which have become routine practice, take on a new form, such as traveling to matches, eating pregame meals, doing laundry. Often times forcing the team to pull together to problem solve and lean on each other in diverse situations to bring them closer together.

One of the unique factors BIP prides themselves on providing when tours are being set up and delivered, is giving the team an ‘authentic’ trip. Teams travel all over the United States throughout the year for competition and training. BIP aims to give a new spin on team travel. This goal is achieved by giving teams the mentality, “When in Europe, do as the Euros do”. [Read more…] about Life is Better on Two Wheels

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2017 Global Challenge

It’s our favorite time of year… the 13th annual European Global Challenge will return to Pula, Croatia on July 11th – 14th, 2017 to host u17 and u22 divisions from around the world.

We’ve got 10 teams from the US currently on pre-tours in Europe. The USA Volleyball College National Team is warming up for the tournament at the Dras Center in Maribor, Slovenia with matches against federation teams from Slovenia and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile the Mountain West Conference All Star team is in Budapest, Hungary preparing for the Global Challenge with friendly matches against the Hungary Junior National Team and Senior National Teams.

On July 10th the tournament will kick off with an opening ceremony for all international teams at Pula’s town center near the edge of the Adriatic Sea. Competition starts July 11th. You’ll find complete team rosters and schedule updates on the tournament website here.  And if you’re tuning in from afar, you’ll be able to live stream matches here.

 

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A Player’s Perspective: The 3 Life Lessons I Learned on Tour

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My senior year of high school I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with Northern Lights Volleyball Club. We spent an unforgettable ten days sight-seeing around the country from Rome to Falconara and San Marino to Venice.

Our tournament was located in Falconara where we stayed in bungalows besides the Adriatic Sea (what we lovingly nicknamed our own Olympic Village). The competition was fierce, we placed third overall, and it was the first time I gained exposure to the world of international volleyball. I could go on and on about the amazing places we visited, people we met, and sights we saw, but those are the aspects of the trip that you’d expect. I gained much more than just great pictures to post on Instagram. I can truly say that the person who boarded the flight to Italy was not the same person who landed back in the States.

Here are the three non-tangible lessons I learned abroad:

1. The art of soaking in a moment of time.

During the trip I only used my phone for taking pictures. I didn’t want to come home to furious parents who had been billed thousands of dollars for international phone usage. No phone meant no distractions. I was only going to be in Italy for ten days so I made a conscious decision to soak it all in – the sights, sounds, points of each match, and each bite of gelato (which was too many to count). I can remember the chill of the breeze when we watched the sunrise on the beach in Falconara, the tantalizing smell of authentic margherita pizza, and the beaming smiles of my teammates when we stepped on the podium to receive our medals. Even when the photographs fade and the computer crashes, these are the moments that can never be taken away from me.

2. The value of introversion…and how to put myself out there when needed.

I’ve always been a shy person – the type to be more reserved rather than overly outgoing. I’m the Rory Gilmore, not the Paris Geller. I found this to be incredibly valuably as I soaked in the sights. I’m content with simply absorbing rather than discussing. Yet, there were times when I needed to put myself out there and speak up. During my tour in Italy I was stretched beyond my confort zone and learned to be comfortable engaging with foreign strangers.

Figuring out the metro? You bet I had to ask questions. Translating a menu? I was clueless. Using dramatic hand gestures in an attempt to communicate with those who spoke very little English or none at all? Not really my forte, but it had to be done.

Throughout the trip, I became confident in myself as I learned how to respond to uncomfortable situations for introverts.

falconaratourney-13. Barriers are manmade.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was a scrimmage with a few different Italian teams while in Rome. Despite our difficulties with communication and subtle cultural differences, I discovered that we were much more alike than we were different. I grew up hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Italian players, but we connected right away with our love of music, movies, and of course volleyball. We spent the afternoon laughing and swapping stories over pieces of pizza and cannolis. Instead of focusing on our differences, my perspective changed and I shifted my attention to the similarities that bind us together.

Years later when I reflect upon my trip, I still regard it as one of the most influential experiences I’ve ever had. The exposure to European volleyball was invaluable and the historical significance of it was imeasurable.  The volleyball tour with my Northern Lights club team molded me into the person I am today. As soon as I got off the plane in Minnesota, a countdown started in anticipation of the day that I’ll finally be able to return to Europe.

-Post Authored by Lauren Miller

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We’ve got a lot of love for Maribor, Slovenia

IMG_0013What is it about Maribor, Slovenia that keeps teams coming back year after year?  

The rolling green hills dotted with vineyards and sunflower farms greet you upon crossing the border. As the second largest city in Slovenia, Maribor is mostly known for being the heart of the Slovenian wine growing region. Its rich wine tradition is marked by the existence of the oldest vine in the world. 

At base of the famed Pohorje mountain you’ll also find an array of adrenaline options accessible by gondola.  From skiing and sledding in the winter to hiking and a mountain top obstacle course in the summer, this city has no shortage of team building activities to offer visitors. However the city’s history, tells a different type of tale. 

Maribor

Cross the Drava River into ‘old town’ and you’ll land at the City Hall which Hitler spoke from in 1941 during his attempt to convert Slovenia into a “German State”.  By the end of World War II, the tiny town of less than 100,000 people experienced more bombing by the Allies than any other major city in communist Yugoslavia. When Tito (Josip Broz) united the six Yugoslav republics to form the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the landscape of Maribor was a battleground for freedom. 

Although Tito’s death in 1980 brought about more political tension and economic crisis, Slovenia had already re-positioned itself as one of the most economically advanced former Yugoslav republics. A 10-day war in 1991 gave birth to the modern day nation of Slovenia. Since Slovenia’s succession from Yugoslavia, Maribor has been slowly transitioning into the popular destination for adventure travelers, foodies and wine lovers that we experience today.

But there’s something else happening in Maribor, that’s sparking the interest of volleyball coaches and fans worldwide.  Top US college volleyball teams like Penn State and the University of Texas are putting Maribor, Slovenia on their itinerary for their foreign volleyball tours to gain access to top level international competition, extra pre-season training and a unique cultural exchange among athletes from diverse backgrounds. 

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photo credit // Hotel Draš Maribor Flickr

Maribor is home to a dedicated international volleyball hub, also known as the Dras Center.  The sport complex offers optimal training conditions for visiting teams with multiple volleyball courts, an in-house gym, a wellness spa and delicious dining options where spectators can enjoy homemade delicacies while watching volleyball. 

Volleyball teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, England, Iran, Brazil, China, and Israel, as well as the Junior National Teams from China, Russia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and all over Europe are coming to Maribor to gain access to elite international players and coaches.

After almost two decades of hosting volleyball tours in Europe, it’s become evident to us that Maribor is one of those magical places that always tops the list of best travel experiences for teams.  We certainly have a lot of love for it. 

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5 Reasons Prague Should be on Your Bucket List

Prague Old TownIt doesn’t take much imagination to picture life in the 14th century when wandering through the cobbled stone streets that line the Gothic and Renaissance buildings in the capital city of the Czech Republic.  Despite Hitler’s occupation, Prague was mostly spared from bombing during the tragedies of World War II. As a result the city’s ancient architecture remains true to its original form. However Prague’s iconic sightseeing is just one of the many reasons you should include a visit to Prague on your next foreign volleyball tour.  

Here’s 5 reasons Prague should be on your bucket list for volleyball travel. 

1. Epic Sightseeing

Prague was the ancient capital of Charles IV’s Bohemian Kingdom, and has played a pivotal role in the development of Central Europe since the Middle Ages.  The ‘Old Town Square’, marked by the city’s famous Astronomical Clock, has served as Prague’s main marketplace for over 1000 years. Stroll across the Charles Bridge and make a wish while laying your left hand on the golden statue of St. John of Nepomuk, or kneel for prayer inside the Gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral.  The historic relics of the 14th century reign of Charles IV and city’s run as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire are clearly visible and easily accessible.  Prague is regarded by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It’s certainly one of our favorite cities.

Olym Praha2.  Competitive Volleyball

Prague is home to Olymp Praha, a consistently competitive first division volleyball club that’s always eager for international competition. Over the past decade the club has produced several players who have gone on to compete in US colleges and European professional clubs.  The club’s history is evidenced by the victory banners and old volleyball photos that line its wall of fame inside the “Hala Volejbalu” (volleyball gym).   And since the gym is dedicated to volleyball only, it’s at our disposal for extra practices to visiting teams on off days. However if a division I professional European club seems out of your team’s league, then you might consider a friendly match-up against one of Prague’s nearby 2nd division teams – Nusle and Tatran Stresovice.

Lennon3. Eastern European Flavor

Prague operated behind the Iron Curtain under the political and military control of the Soviet Union from 1948 to 1989. Although the city has mostly modernized to capture the influx of tourism, the skeletons of communism and the relics of the Velvet Revolution are not buried too deep to find if you explore the city streets and take the time to learn about the country’s history from the locals who lived through it. Icon’s like the John Lennon Wall bring to consciousness the price for peace that this country has paid.

4. Eats and Drinks

From goulash to potato dumplings followed by chocolate mouse and gelato, you’ll get your fix of Eastern European delicacies. Post-Communist Prague has witnessed a cuisine makeover with the an influx of foreign immigrants and mass tourism raising the bar on dining options. Add to that the fact that Czech beer is acclaimed by many to be the best in the world. Dining and drinking is cheap here too. Although Euros are widely accepted, it’s Czech Crowns that are the nation’s primary currency.  With a current exchange rate of 24 CZK : 1 USD (as of 7/14/16), prices of everyday items like bread, fruit and beer are significantly less expensive than in the neighboring countries. 

Jirka5. The legendary Jirka Honzik

As always, the best part of any foreign volleyball tour is the personal connections made with local volleyball players and coaches. Prague is no exception. Jirka Honzik, BIP’s local guide, is legendary in the volleyball world. Having been born and spent the majority of his life in Prague, he’s a wealth of insider information and historic stories. Most Prague tour veterans will tell you that meeting Jirka is simply the most memorable part of their trip.  If you’re lucky, you’ll receive one of his infamous “phone calls”.