By Yoon chul
Staff Reporter
Former Korean volleyball star Cho Hye-jung became the first female head coach in the Korean professional volleyball league as well as the first in all professional Korean sports.
Cho, the Olympics bronze medalist in 1976 in Montreal, was named the boss of GS Caltex Seoul Kixx - a women's team in the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) V-league.
``The fact that I will be the first woman head coach made it difficult for me to decide,'' said Cho.
``As I am a woman, I can teach in detail, easily conversing with my women like a mother and her daughters.
`` I think I was selected as my ideas corresponded with the goal of the team."
The 57-year-old, who has been working in the KOVO since 2008, has very little experience in her new role. She worked as a coach for Hyundai Hillstate, a V-league team, and a second tier league team in Italy. This is her first job as head coach.
But the inaugural boss has a strong blueprint.
``For 30 years, I have barely seen any changes or improved strategies. I want to install new tactics making the V-league more active.
``While watching the players for two years, it seems the reason that players have not improved their technique is because of the shortage in stamina,'' Cho said.
``Though the circumstances are tough, I will try to get my women to build their technique from scratch."
GS Caltex advanced to the postseason last season, thanks to their import player Destinee Hooker's brilliant performances, but failed to be crowned champions.
``I will try to show the volleyball world the game I want to pursue.
"It's not that we are following the trophy, but the trophy will follow our performances," Cho said.