This week, the European Refereeing Commission (ERC) successfully concluded its second training session specifically designed for new Referee Coaches. This initiative builds upon a similar program held in January, reaffirming the ERC`s unwavering commitment to educating and empowering referees with essential skills and knowledge. Their overarching goal is to ensure referees excel as volleyball continues to evolve into an increasingly appealing and entertaining sport, particularly for younger audiences.
The extensive seminar for Referee Coaches took place in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, strategically aligning with the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship. It received full and enthusiastic backing from both local organizers and the Volleyball Federation of Serbia. The impactful sessions were expertly led by renowned FIVB Referee Coach Guy Bradbury from Canada, and Milan Labasta of Czechia, who is also a distinguished member of the European Refereeing Commission and an FIVB Referee Coach.
Both speakers imparted a wealth of invaluable knowledge and practical experience to all the attending participants. Three distinguished former international referees—Aleksandar Vinaliev (Bulgaria), Boris Kolarevic (Serbia), and Epaminondas Gerothodoros (Greece)—successfully completed the rigorous course. Effective January 2026, they will assume crucial roles as CEV Referee Coaches, focusing specifically on the vital tasks of scouting, evaluation, and the holistic development of promising young referees across Europe.
In a related development, a similar specialized training program, tailored specifically for Beach Volleyball Referee Coaches, is scheduled to take place next week in Espinho, Portugal. This course will coincide seamlessly with the highly anticipated 2025 Beach Volley Nations Cup Final, further expanding the reach of this vital coaching initiative.
