Category: Storytime

January 26, 2026 | Storytime | ~6min read time

Our players commit to two training sessions and one match per week. How does the organisation look like behind the curtains? How do we ensure the safety, physical stamina and technical and mental readiness of our team? Hear it from our certified head coach Mladen Vukasinovic, interviewed by Luka Vethake.

Can you tell us about your passion for volleyball? When did it start and why has it remained such an important part of your life?

My volleyball journey began more than 30 years ago in Belgrade, where I started playing with friends from school. My first club was called Block Out, which is an interesting coincidence given that I later became a blocker and eventually joined No Blockers.

Early on, we achieved notable success, including winning a tournament that featured many of the strongest clubs in Serbia. That led to an invitation to train with Partizan, one of the most prestigious clubs in the country. Partizan played a significant role in shaping me both as a player and as a person. We competed at a high, professional level, but equally important were the friendships, travel, and shared growth. There is expression in Serbia: “Other clubs have supporters, Partizan is loved!”

When I started university, I initially feared that my volleyball career might end. While I continued playing in second-league clubs, my university years turned out to be the most rewarding period. I played for the university team and competed internationally, traveling to cities such as Beirut, Valencia, Paris, Istanbul, and Milan, and we achieved strong results together.

After moving to Antwerp four years ago, volleyball was something I truly missed—it is part of who I am. That search led me to No Blockers, where informal sessions evolved into a growing, structured club that continues to develop today.

What motivated you to pursue the coach certification and how does the process look like?

My primary motivation was to pass on the passion I have for volleyball. I have two children, and I strongly believe in sharing not only the sport itself but also the values behind it—teamwork, respect, and personal development.

Volleyball in Belgium is very well organized, with leagues for all ages, from youth to veterans, and I wanted to be part of that ecosystem. I was also volleyball referee at national level in Serbia, but I ultimately chose to focus on playing and coaching.

The certification process combined theory with strong practical elements. One aspect I particularly appreciated was the “learning by doing” approach. We were given real case studies—such as designing a warm-up—and worked in groups to deliver sessions, with other course participants acting as players. Each session was followed by structured feedback and discussions on improvement, new techniques, and modern training tools.

It was a very supportive and collaborative experience, and I look forward to continuing my education as a coach.

What is the training philosophy of No Blockers and how do you bring it to life on the court?

Our training philosophy is built around three core pillars.

The first is trust—building confidence, mutual respect, and strong bonds within the team. The second is experience. We aim to give every player meaningful playing time, regardless of background or level. This includes rotating systems extensively, using full rosters, and allowing players to experience different roles and match situations.

Training is much more than physical or technical development. It is also where players get to know each other better, experiment with new ideas, and contribute beyond the court. For example, one of our players developed an internal statistics application, and others contribute through their professional expertise and experience.

The third pillar is continuous improvement. As one of our players once said, “Volleyball is a game of fixing each other’s mistakes.” No one is perfect, and constructive correction—of reception, setting, or positioning—is essential to collective progress.

Our biggest challenge at this moment is managing a very diverse roster. We have players with professional-level experience alongside others who have only recently started playing. Balancing training intensity and engagement for all levels requires thoughtful planning, individual attention, and additional friendly matches to support player development.

What can we expect from No Blockers in the coming years?

In the short term, our goal this season is clear: to win the league and the cup. We are currently leading the championship and remain focused on maintaining momentum while continuing to develop all players.

Mid-term, within the next two years, we plan to launch a women’s section competing officially. We also aim to establish a youth section and further grow our club structure. Additionally, we are exploring the creation of a beach volleyball section, as we believe Antwerp’s international community would strongly benefit from such an initiative.

We already participate in tournaments across the Benelux region and plan to expand internationally, including competitions in countries such as Germany, France, and Serbia.

Looking five years ahead, we are ambitious. Our long-term vision includes competing at European level and contributing players to national teams. We also aim to expand the No Blockers concept beyond Belgium through international partnerships.

We believe in dreaming big, growing together, and building something meaningful— both on and off the court.