Official Bulletin No. 1 March 2006 World Volley Edition in English FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE News A new Platform for News in the World Championship Year...

Dear reader, colleagues and fellow Volleyball fans... At the start of Volleyball’s World Championship year, it is a great pleasure for me to present the first Host Japan against in the 2005 Grand Champions Cup in Tokyo edition of “World Volley News”. This new monthly publication is the It will cover all aspects of the sport, such tunity to wish you and your families all the ­Official Bulletin of the FIVB as development and the economy, as well best and every success in 2006. and will be distributed to our 218 as the media and sponsors who both play national federations, the media such a vital role in promoting Volleyball Get involved, keep the ball flying! and key players in the wider and Beach Volleyball. Dr Rubén Acosta H., FIVB President world of sport in general. We rely on you to keep us up-to-date with We have chosen a design that portrays a the latest Volleyball news in your region In this Issue dynamic and modern image for our sport. and we hope that you in turn will be able • ’s coaches outlook for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball enjoy an to rely on World Volley News to provide 2006 World Championships unparalleled popularity all over the world you with a monthly digest of Volleyball • New coach for and their healthy, violence-free and drug- news from all over the globe. men’s team free image is a credit to the work of all those involved in Volleyball. World Volley It is important to stress that World Volley • Historic participation News will play an important part in com- News will only truly come to life with your for Africa in 2006 World municating this excellent work both within valuable input, whether this be in the form Championships the realms of our sport and beyond. of articles, other contributions or simply • NOC meeting for 2006 World your feedback and comments. I therefore League in Bulgaria World Volley News will contain all interna- encourage you to keep in touch with us so • China names the 2006 tional and continental results, a monthly that we can share your news with the in- women’s team calendar of international and continental ternational Volleyball community. • 2006 WC Continental Women fixtures and administrative meetings, as qualifications well as the latest news from the FIVB and As we look forward to this year’s World Beach Volleyball News its confederations. Championships in Japan, World Volley News will bring you the latest news on the • First Beach Volleyball teams and some of their outstanding play- national tournament in Niger “...we can share ers, coupled with practical information on Technical & Development your news with the the event and its numerous venues. • FIVB Regional Development international Centre opens in Barbados Before you turn the page to discover our • Coaches course in Egypt community.” latest news, I would like to take this oppor-

www.fivb.org World Volley News Volleyball 2006 World Championships - World League

VOLLEYBALL men & women to do because we know that Brazil will be VOLLEYBALL men & women pions Sfax of Tunisia and the champions The reigning Grand Champions prepare for the 2006 the team that all the others will wish to Historic biggest African participation in 2006 of the 2003 and 2004 editions Al-Ahly of beat”. Egypt. It will be organized by South Africa World Championships World Championships from 1-15 March. Mauritius will organize Brazilian Women’s National Team the Women’s Cup of club champions from Fresh from their Grand Cham- Brazilian national team will try to win Brazilian women’s team coach José Rob- 2006 will be a rich season that the continent has come a long way 15-31 March, where the Kenyan teams pions Cup double last Novem- the double championship, that’s a dream. erto Guimarães: “The title of the World for African volleyball as five along the road to world level, especially will as usual be the big favourites. The ber, the Brazilian men’s and Each year a victory becomes more and Championship will be very important for African teams will compete after the excellent performance of the Afri- men’s and women’s African Cup Winners women’s camps are still reluc- more difficult. The level of the other teams the Brazilian team because we never won in the FIVB’s most prestig- can Champions Egypt in the 2005 Grand Cup will be hosted by Egypt and Nigeria tant to give too much away is getting higher each day. United States, this competition. We know that will be ious competition, the World Champi- Champions Cup in Japan. respectively at the end of the year. ahead of this year’s World Russia, Italy, Poland and Serbia and Mon- very hard but we will try to repeat our onships in Japan in November. Egypt This year will also feature four continental Championships in Japan. Nevertheless, tenegro will be our strongest opponents. success of last year, when the team won and Tunisia will be the African repre- competitions for the age categories quali- their coaches were among the first to “I think all these teams can win the com- all the comepetitions it played in. sentatives in the men’s category, while fying for the FIVB World Championships share their views with the FIVB. petition. Germany, and Cuba can “Our group is very strong and it is impor- the women will field three teams from of the corresponding ages. Tunisia will play very well too and make it difficult for tant that our team play great volleyball Egypt, Kenya and Cameroon in the big host the 9th Boys U-19 African Champi- Brazilian Men’s National Team the favorites. I hope to have all the best to fight for the title or, at least, to win a event. This will be the biggest number onship from 18-27 August and Algeria Brazilian men’s team coach Bernardo Brazilian players ready to play the World medal. Our players are young but work of African representatives in the World will host the Girls U-18 Competition from Rocha de Rezende (Bernardinho): “The Championship. That will be a lot of work hard and with soul”. Championships in history. 15-31 August. Morocco organizes the 12th Men’s U-21 African Championship 2-9 CAVB is doing all it can to ensure that the September and Senegal will be ready to African teams are on top form to prove organize the 11th Women’s U-20 competi- tion. Africa aims to go beyond qualifying to VOLLEYBALL women the second round in the World Champion- China names National ship of these age categories and thus bet- ter the performance of the Egyptian boys Women’s Team U-19 and girls U-18 in the 2005 World for World Championships Championships. The four club competitions this year will The Chinese Volleyball Association be a chance for the new forces of African announced on February 14 the forma- volleyball to appear and advance after the tion of the new national women’s vol- great progress of these competitions last leyball team, setting its main aim on year, especially the African Cup of club the 2006 World Championships. champions in Benin, which saw a record Brazil men’s team, winner of the 2005 Grand Champions Cup Brazil women’s team, winner of the 2005 Grand Champions Cup number of participants. Chen Zhonghe, who led China to win the The 25th African Cup of club champions VOLLEYBALL men Grand Prix title in 2003 and the Athens will be the most prestigious competition El Safy the most experienced Egyptian FeVA makes a change - Interview with • How will the first stage of your work- Olympic Gold medal, remains as the head on the continent, showing the strongest Player in the big show of his country in ing period be in the run up to the World coach, and the assistant coach is still African clubs led by the defending cham- the Grand Champions cup in Tokyo New Argentina men’s national coach Jon Uriarte Championships? Yu Juemin, who was the head coach of – This year will be a longer international Zejiang Men’s Volleyball Team and former world league 2006 Jon Uriarte, the newly appointed Head • What is the basis of your working year than usual as the World Champion- assistant coach for the Chinese National NOC Meeting with and Sports and President of Coach of Argentina’s National Men’s plan? ships make the calendar longer and more Men’s Volleyball Team. 2006 World League National Team talks about this new phase in his – The specific management, that includes complete, which will allow us to evaluate The national team consists of a total of the President of Bulgaria Organizing Committee, Mr. career, emphazising that he will have the complexity of the results of the next the players, looking forward to their par- 18 members, with the main line-up being Dancho Lazarov, President, a deep commitment to the work of the World Championship with the main goal ticipation at the World Championship and the same that took part in the 2005 Grand The President of Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Mr. Mitko Ivanov, Vice-Presi- National Team and underlining his of Olympic qualification and the chance of at their own development. The additional Champions Cup in Japan. But 1.97-meters Parvanov met with the members of dent and Mr. Ivan Todorov, member of the approval of the process that the FeVA giving ourselves a project, a strategy plan months will help a lot because there is high Zhao Ruirui also returns to the team National Organizing Committee of the Board of Administration of the Bulgarian used to appoint the new coach: of developing high performance that will international competition until the end of after an absence of almost two years due to 2006 World League. The head of state Volleyball Federation. involve all the actors that work “in” and November. injury. Head coach Chen has also recruited is Patron of this event and a keen They discussed matters concerning the “for” this project. back two former national members Zhang admirer of volleyball and the Bulgar- preparation and participation of the team • Which do you think is the success of Yuehong and Li Shan. ian Senior Men’s National team. in the 2006 World League, the agreement • When will you start working and what your management? Chen said that the main aim of the national He often attends the host World League conditions with Bulgarian National Tel- is the term of your contract? – First I have to evaluate the first working team is to finish among the top three in the matches at the Palace of Culture and Sports evision in broadcasting these commercial – I will start working the day after the last months, I have to go through getting in World Championship and of course try in the city of Varna. The meeting was held matches, as well as some financial aspects participation of Minas (the team that I contact with the players and that will be to win the title. But he admitted that it is in the presence of Mrs. Vesela Lecheva, related to the presentation of Bulgaria at am currently coaching) in the Brazilian vital to plan thereafter the real goals we very difficult as there are too many strong President of the State Agency for Youth the 2006 WL. Superliga and my contract lasts until the want to reach. teams now in the world. The new Chinese next Beijing (China) Olympic Games in women’s team will begin their training 2008. The first six months of work will be • What does the Argentine National together from February 18 to April 7. devoted to managing and the start of the Team mean to you? planning with the intention of involving – The National Team constituted an extraor- Team line-up for 2006 every one. dinary cultural thing, not only thanks to Setters: Feng Kun, Song Nina. the players but also to the coaches and Opposite: Zhou Suhong, Li Shan. • What will be the role of the Argentina they were able to communicate it. The Wing Spikers: Yang Hao, Wang Yimei, National Men’s team within volleyball? team always run from behind but in great Chu Jinling, Li Juan, Zhang Yuehong, Sun – The Men’s National Team must be and important international competitions Xiaoqing. engaged in developing high-output play- they showed a great state of mind and also Middle Blockers: Zhao Ruirui, Liu Yanan, ers. This must be communicated to all in a great technical level. Wearing the light Zhang Ping, Xue Ming, Ma Yenwen, Xu New Argentina men’s national Argentina so as to involve everyone in the blue-white Jersey means carrying a great Yunli. Meeting of the Bulgarian World League 2006 NOC with the President of Bulgaria, coach Jon Uriarte process. responsibility and that is very positive. Libero: Zhang Na, Wang Lin. Mr. Parvanov at right

 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006  World Volley News 2006 WC Japan Beach Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL women Here are the women’s teams and how they Beach VOLLEYBALL men & women show off their skills in one-on-one, two-on- Continental qualifications for qualified last year. Niger holds first-ever two and three-on-three matches. The 24 men’s teams will be featured next 2006 Women’s World Championship (24 teams) month. national Beach Volleyball tournament Furthermore, fourteen certificates were presented to the trainers who passed the CAVB qualification 3 vacancies for 13 teams, 3 pools for 1 round - The winners of each pool qualify On 28 and 29 January 2006, in March 2005 with the support of the international level course in June 2005. the Niger Volleyball Federa- FIVB and Olympic Solidarity. A total of FeniVolley hopes that these trainers can Egypt Winner of Pool A Cairo, Egypt, March 17-19 2005 tion (FeniVolley) staged its nine men’s teams and six women’s teams help to raise the level of Volleyball in Niger first-ever national Beach competed for the first-ever national cham- from 2006 onwards. Kenya Winner of Pool C Vacoas, Mauritius, April 22-24 2005 Volleyball tournament under the tute- pionship title, which was won by the team lage of President Sidiyane Amada. The AS Zigui from Dosso for the men and JICA The tournament marked the start of a tournament was held at the Inter- from Niamey for the women. promising year for FeniVolley, whose Winner of Pool B Nairobi, Kenya, July 22-24 2005 Cameroon national Hippodrome in Niamey with ­President Sidiyane Amada was re-elected participants from all eight of the coun- At the same time as the tournament, a fes- for a further four-year term last August. AVC qualification 4 vacancies for 11 teams, 2 pools for 1 round - The winners and 2nd rank teams of each pool qualify tries regions. tival of youth was also staged to allow Vol- The main focus of the year will be on con- leyball schools in the urban community of tinuing training, organization all national China Winner of Pool A Ningbo, China, August 3-7 2005 The tournament came almost one year Niamey to present their new young talents competitions, participating in all sub- after the first-ever introductory course in to the public. This festival allowed 465 regional competitions and gaining new Chinese Taipei Winner of Pool B Suphanburi, Thailand, August 1-5 2005 Beach Volleyball organised in the country young players (132 girls and 333 boys) to partners.

Japan Qualified as organizer of 2006 World Championship Final women won by JICA Niamey Final men won by AS Zigui from Dosso

Kazakhstan 2nd Rank of Pool B Suphanburi, Thailand, August 1-5 2005

Korea 2nd Rank of Pool A Ningbo, China, August 3-7 2005

NORCECA qualification 6 vacancies for 19 teams, 5 pools for 2 rounds - Winners/2nd-3rd rank teams of final two pools qualify Costa Rica 3rd rank of Pool E Santo Domingo, Dominican Rep., August 24-28 2005

Cuba Winner of Pool E Santo Domingo, Dominican Rep., August 24-28 2005

Dominican Republic 2nd rank of Pool E Santo Domingo, Dominican Rep., August 24-28 2005

Mexico 3rd rank of Pool D Caguas, Puerto Rico, August 13-19 2005

Puerto Rico 2nd rank of Pool D Caguas, Puerto Rico, August 13-19 2005

USA Winner of Pool D Caguas, Puerto Rico, August 13-19 2005

CSV qualification 2 vacancies for 5 teams, 1 pool for 1 round - The winner and 2nd rank team qualify Brazil Winner CSV Tournament Cabo Frio, Brazil, August 23-27 2005 G Peru 2nd rank CSV Tournament Cabo Frio, Brazil, August 23-27 2005 Podium of the women 7 vacancies for 27 teams, 9 pools for 3 rounds + playoffs F CEV qualification Winners and 2nd rank teams of final three pools and winner of playoffs qualify The group of the referees and judges Azerbaijan Winner of Pool G Moscow, Russia, July 1-3 2005 H Podium of the men Germany Winner of Pool I Dresden, Germany, June 17-19 2005 E FeniVolley President Italy Qualified as 2002 World Champion Sidiyane Amada

Netherlands Winner of Pool H Ankara, Turkey, August 5-7 2005

Poland Winner of Playoff round Varna, Bulgaria, August 19-21 2005

Russia 2nd rank in Pool G Moscow, Russia, July 1-3 2005

Serbia & Montenegro 2nd rank in Pool I Dresden, Germany, June 17-19 2005

Turkey 2nd rank in Pool H Ankara, Turkey, August 5-7 2005

 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006  World Volley News Development Technical Courses

Regional Development port for coaching and management train- coaches courses New FIVB Regional Development Centre ing with a view to fostering talent and Successful Level I and II coaches courses held in Egypt creating even better opportunities for the opens in the Caribbean, hosted by Barbados Caribbean region”. with 75 participants

The new FIVB Regional The opening of the Regional Development In a brief ceremony which was twinned Under supervision of the Some 75 coaches participated in this Development Centre in Centre in Barbados is part of the FIVB’s with the opening and awards presenta- FIVB and the good organi- course and showed a 100% success rate at Bridgetown, Barbados was global development programme, the tions for the new Volleyball season, the zation of the Egyptian Vol- the end of the course. officially opened on 5 Feb- broadest aim of which is to improve the Barbados Volleyball Association’s presi- leyball Federation (FEVB), ruary 2006 and heralds a new and general standard of Volleyball throughout dent, John Griffith, described the launch- the Olympic Complex Center in Cairo “We are happy to see this quality of suc- historical chapter in Volleyball both on the world and, more specifically, to create ing of the centre as the realization of the showed one of the most successful cess in such kind of courses in the pres- the island itself and for the Caribbean the conditions under which each country, dream to continue the rapid development coaches courses for level I and II ence of those highly experienced FIVB region as a whole. given its resources, is able to express its of Volleyball in Barbados and within the in January 2006. The Course was instructors,” said the President of the potential in competition and derive the English-speaking Caribbean. The FIVB directed by FIVB Coaching Commis- course Organizing committee, Mr. Hassan FIVB President Dr Rubén Acosta maximum benefit possible from our sport. Regional Development Centre in Barbados sion President Mr. Yury Chesnokov. Ahmed. “We want to thank FIVB and its ­Hernandez welcomed the news, comment- perfectly complements the existing devel- The instructors were Mr. Jivko Jetchev President Dr. Ruben Acosta for their sup- ing that “...the FIVB Regional Development For the FIVB’s Technical and Develop- opment centre in the Dominican Republic for the level II course and Mr. Zoheer port in making this course a huge success Mr. Chesnokov at the opening ceremony Centre in Barbados is perfectly located in ment Director, Mr. Helgi Thorsteinsson, as an English-language alternative for Ammar and Sherif El- Shemerly for the and this will help us to promote our sport the Caribbean region, which counts seven- the inauguration of the Centre repre- training. Its inauguration was welcomed level I course. all over the continent,” he added. The course was covered by many media, teen national Volleyball federations and sented the culmination of over a year’s by the National Sports Council of Barbados especially the TV Channels and the big a population of around 10 million. Barba- work: “I am happy that we have been able and the Barbados Olympic Association. daily newspapers. Egyptian Nile Sports dos has excellent links with neighbouring to open the Regional Development Centre Channel made a live interview with Mr. countries and will offer a stable environ- in Barbados as part of the FIVB’s continu- Only the day after the new centre opened, Chesnokov and CAVB and FEVB Presi- ment for promoting the development of ing development strategy. The Barbados the first training programme commenced dent, Dr. Amr Elwani, in which Chesnokov Volleyball and Beach Volleyball in this Volleyball Association now has the neces- with a one-week FIVB Referees’ refresher expressed his confidence with the stand- region of great potential”. sary structures in place to provide sup- course under the tutelage of FIVB Instruc- ard of the course and the good organiza- tor Jose Sanler Diaz. Twenty-five national tion. The ultra modern Wildey Gymnasium, in Bridgetown (Barbados) referees signed up to take the course, Dr. Elwani thanked Dr. Acosta on air and which ran from February 6 to 12. Fifteen ensured the full support of all African referees took the final theoretical and National Federations to Dr. Acosta in the practical exam after seven days of intense next FIVB World Congress due to his great work. help to the continent during his presi- dency. The Barbados FIVB Regional Develop- National TV News also made a live inter- ment Centre is presently based at the mod- view with Mr. Hassan Ahmed where he ern Wildey Gymnasium. Meanwhile, work expressed his satisfaction with the results continues at a brisk pace on the nearby G and performance of the participants. Collective picture of the Barbados Olympic Association’s building A special seminar with the instructors in participants with the which will house the Centre’s Secretariat instructors the Olympic Complex hall was held as they when the new building is opened in April. received many questions from the coaches F and media on how to develop the sport at 2006 Global Calendar - Competitions and Events - Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Mr. Jetchev during the high-class level. theoretical part of the course DATES EVENT COUNTRY CONF. M/W Feb. 28-Mar. 2 IECL Playoffs 6 teams home matches Various venues CEV M E March 1-15 25th African Clubs Champions Championship South Africa or Tunisia CAVB M LtoR: Dr. Bahgat, Hassan, Chesnokov, Jetchev, March 3-4 CEV Cup Final Four Torino, Italy CEV W Ammar, Shemerly and March 3-5 Baltic Cup Baltic Countries CEV Zakaria in seminar March 4-5 CEV Cup Final Four Padova, Italy CEV M March 7-9 IECL Playoffs 6 teams away matches Various venues CEV M H March 8-10 6th Asian Beach Volleyball Championship Kish Island, Iran AVC M Practical part of the course March 11-12 Top Teams Cup Final Four Moscow, Russia CEV W March 11-12 Austrian Airlines Top Teams Cup Final Four Mallorca, Spain CEV M All Contributions March 13-15 5th Asian Beach Volleyball Invitation Kish Island, Iran AVC March 15-31 21st African Clubs Champions Championship Mauritius or Kenya CAVB W Welcome! March 18-19 IECL Final Four Cannes, France CEV W Please send your comments March 15-19 Leeward Island Tournament St. Kitts & Nevis NORCECA M and articles by e-mail to: March 22-26 Leeward Island Tournament US Virgin Islands NORCECA W March 25-26 IECL Final Four Rome, Italy CEV M [email protected] April 13-15 2006 Junior ECH U-19 San Marino CEV W or by mail / fax to: April 14-16 LOMA Asian Beach Volleyball Invitation Thailand AVC Fédération Internationale April 14-16 Stage of South American Beach Volleyball Manta, Equator CSV M/W de Volleyball April 14-16 Beach Volleyball Continental Championship Boca Chica, Dominican Republic NORCECA M/W Avenue de la Gare 12 April 19-21 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship Thailand AVC CH-1001 Lausanne - Switzerland April 20-22 2006 Junior ECH U-20 Schaan, Liechtenstein CEV M April 21-23 2006 ECH U-20 Prequalification tournament Sarajevo, BIH CEV M Tel : +41 (21) 345 35 35 April 29-May 1 Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour Vietnam AVC W Fax: +41 (21) 345 35 45

 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006  World Volley News FIVB Equipment

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World Volley News • Official Bulletin of theV FI B • Av. de la Gare 12 • CH-1001 Lausanne • Printed in Switzerland • FIVB founded in 1947 • Pres. Dr. Rubén Acosta H. Tel. + 41 21 345 35 35 • Fax + 41 21 345 35 45 • Web Site: www.fivb.org • E-mail: [email protected] • Editor: Communication Department • No. 1 • March 2006

 FIVB World Volley News No. 1 March 2006