The 2006 Beach Volleyball Bonanza Begins

Official Bulletin No. 3 May 2006 Edition in English FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE VOLLEYBALL The 2006 Beach Volleyball bonanza begins

This month’s issue focuses on Beach May 31, the men’s SWATCH FIVB World Volleyball, with the first events on Tour will be back in Zagreb, Croatia the 2006 SWATCH FIVB World Tour and Nestea European Tour due to start the beach season this month. In addition to offering a preview of these events and the full calendar for the season, we also take a look at how some of the teams have been preparing for the season in Southern California – the spiritual home of Beach Volleyball.

The 2006 SWATCH FIVB World Tour, the top international circuit for Beach Volley- ball, comprises 30 events with prize money of USD 6.7 million and will be played in the five Confederations over a six-month period starting with the women’s Open event in Modena, Italy on 10 May 2006.

Two weeks later (23-28 May), the season’s first double-gender event will be held in Shanghai. This will be the second-straight season in which China’s 13 million-strong step forward for the FIVB in bringing to Beach Volleyball’s ever-increasing economic powerhouse welcomes the Beach Volleyball to the world’s tropical popularity, the FIVB hopes to bring the islands, which offer idyllic locations for SWATCH FIVB World Tour to new loca- tournaments and offer enormous – and as tions in North America, Australia, Spain “...will be played yet untapped – potential. and the United Arab Emirates for the 2007 in the five season. The Beach Volleyball season is completed Confederations...” by a further 16 FIVB-sanctioned Chal- lenger, Satellite and Exhibition events, In this Issue SWATCH FIVB World Tour. The following some taking place in regions where the Volleyball week, the teams will return to Europe with sport is already established, such as Swit- the women travelling to Athens, Greece, zerland, whilst others push the geographic • World Championship News and the men to Zagreb, Croatia. • European Champions League After the first month of action in 2005, the “...bringing Beach Volleyball only event that was not won by a Brazil- the sport to ian duo was the men’s Open in Shanghai, • SWATCH FIVB World Tour which was taken by the German part- new countries...” calendar nership of Christoph Dieckmann/Andreas • NESTEA CEV Masters Scheuerpflug. With Scheuerpflug now boundaries of Beach Volleyball even fur- European Tour calendar acting as manager to the newly-formed ther, bringing the sport to new countries National Federations partnership of Christoph Dieckmann and such as Cuba and the Czech Republic. Fur- Julius Brink (winner on the World Tour ther events are set to follow as agreements • Gift to Georgian Volleyball in Portugal in 2005 with Kjell Schneider), are reached in the course of the year. Federation this ambitious partnership will be one to watch. As the 2006 season gets underway, the • Sponsor renews with German FIVB is already working on the 2007 and Federation Later on this year we will also see the 2008 SWATCH FIVB World Tour calen- • NeVoBo appoints new SWATCH FIVB World Championships U21 dars, which, together with the 2007 World technical director in Myslowice, Poland and the SWATCH Championships in Gstaad, Switzerland, • New partner for Volleyball FIVB World Championships U19 in Ber- will constitute the qualification process for Australia muda. The latter event represents a major the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Thanks www.fivb.org Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL men China’s head coach announces his 18-player squad for the World Championship year

Chinese men’s Volleyball team coach China had a disappointing one-win and Zhou Jian’an has announced his 18- five-loss result in the 2002 World Champi- player squad for the upcoming 2006 onship and didn’t qualify for the 2004 Ath- World Championship in Tokyo and the ens Olympics. China, coached by former 2006 Asian Games in Doha. head coach Di Anhe, was eliminated by Iran 2-3 in the semifinals in the 2002 Zhang Xiang, former captain of the Chi- Asian Games. nese national team, has been called back by Zhou to reinforce the attacking powers The Chinese team will participate in a four- of China. “It is an honour to be back in the nation international invitation tournament national team again,” said 35-year-old in May and then play World League Pool C Zhang. “I hope I can help the young play- games against Italy, Russia and France in ers with my experiences.” July and August.

Head coach Zhou Jian’an said the Chinese team will try their utmost to enter the second round in the World Championship and clinch a berth in the finals at the Asian Games. The final team line-up will be decided after the World League.

Chinese national men’s team for 2006 Wing Attacker: Hu Song, Guo Song, Sui Shengsheng, Shen Qiong, Zhang Xiang; Setter: Li Chun, Zhou Hong, Kang Kang, Jiang Fudong; Middle Blocker: Wang Hai- chuan, Yu Dawei, Wang Jin, Xie Wenhao, Guo Peng (5) and Li Chun (10) Guo Peng; Opposite: Tang Miao, Yuan Zhi, have been selected for the World China men’s head coach Zhou Jian’an Jiang Kun; Libero: Chu Hui. Championship squad

VOLLEYBALL women National Women Volleyball Kenya hires Japanese coach to prepare national Team Wins Top Sports Award in Kenya team for 2006 World Championship Kenya national women Volleyball team who are two times Olympians have been Kenya Volleyball Federation work together with the Japanese tactician voted as the Sports Team of the Year in (KVF) has hired a Japanese to mould a strong team which will repre- the country. The team, which has quali- coach to help prepare the sent the country well in Japan. As regards fied for this year’s World Women Volley- national women Volleyball team selection for the World Champion- ball Championships set for Japan in Octo- team for the 2006 World Champion- ships, the KVF Secretary General said ber and next year’s World Cup, emerged ships set for Japan in October. coach Lung’aho has been instructed to the winner of the prestigious award after come up with a provisional squad of 20 beating the athletics team which won last According to the newly elected KVF Sec- players as soon as possible so that logistics year’s Chiba Ekiden marathon. retary General Dan Wanyama, through for residential training camp and build up the assistance of Japanese International matches can be worked out by the federa- During the presentation ceremony at the Agency Corporation (JICA), the Japanese tion. Five Star Grand Regency hotel graced coach, whose name is yet to be released, is by Kenya’s Vice President Moody Awori, expected in the country two months before “The World Championships is a big tourna- Commissioner for Sports Gordon Oluoch the national women volleyball team leaves ment and we have instructed the coach and top sports journalists, sports officials for Japan. “We are taking our participa- to ensure that he only goes for the best and top company executives among oth- tion in the World Championships in Japan players while considering experience and ers, national team member Moim was very seriously and that is why we are youthfulness,” Wanyama said, adding voted the Most Promising Female Player bringing in a tactician from Japan to come that even foreign based players will be in the country. and team up with our local coaches in considered for selection into the World preparing the national women volleyball Championships squad. Among Kenya’s Representing the national team during the team,” said Wanyama. foreign based players who are playing as presentation were Moim, booster Janet professionals abroad are national team Wanja and libero player Mercy Wesu- He pointed out that local national women captain Violet Baraza and Dorcas Nda- tila both from Kenya Pipeline and Nancy volleyball team head coach David Lung’aho, saba, who represented the country at the Wanjala from Kenya Commercial Bank, who also handles African Women Vol- 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and 2004 who were accompanied by national team leyball Club champions Kenya Pipeline, Olympic Games in Athens. Other players coaches David Lung’aho and Paul Bitok and his assistant Paul Bitok, who coaches are studying in various colleges in the along with Team Manager Grace Wangu- Kenya Commercial Bank ladies’ team, will United States. ria. Also present was Kenya Volleyball

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006 2006 World Championships

VOLLEYBALL women qualify for the European Championships Giovanni Guidetti appointed Germany’s women’s coach with the team and play a good World after Hee Wan Lee unexpectedly resigns Championship.” DVV president Werner von Moltke added Hee Wan Lee Lee is replaced by Italian Giovanni “We are very happy to have found such a resigned as the Guidetti, who, although only 33 years old, renowned coach for our women’s team in coach of Germa- has already amassed considerable expe- such a short time. I am confident he will ny’s women’s rience as a coach. He has been a coach be able to continue the good work of Hee national team in Italy’s first league since 1997-98 (with Wan Lee.” as he no longer Spezzano, Vicenza, Modena and Chieri), felt he had the interrupted only by a one-year stint for trust of the league USPV/USA. From 1997-2000 Guidetti sides after was also co-trainer of the national wom- recent devel- en’s team of Italy and was responsible for opments and Bulgaria’s women’s team in the summer criticism of of 2003. his manner of communica- Guidetti will take up his post in time for tion. Former the European Championship qualifica- world-class setter Hee Wan Lee had tion tournament in Georgia (26-28 May), been responsible for the women’s where Germany will face France, Georgia national team since 1999. and Latvia. His contract currently runs until the World Championships in Japan During his tenure, the team qualified from 31 October to 16 November, where for two Olympic Games to finish sixth in Germany will play China, Russia, Azerbai- Sydney 2000 and ninth in Athens 2004. jan, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The team also took the bronze medal at The first four teams in the group will qual- the 2003 European Championships‚ the ify for the next round. women’s first medal since 1991. There were, however, also disappointments The new coach is looking forward to the such as tenth place at the 2002 World challenge: “I am ready to train the Ger- Championships in Germany and eleventh man team and I’m very proud that the at the 2005 European Championships in German Volleyball Federation (DVV) has Croatia. given me this opportunity. I would like to Giovanni Guidetti, the new coach

Federation Secretary General Jacob Owiti and National Treasurer Kenneth Tonui, who all congratulated the national team for their achievement and Moim for being voted Most Promising Player.

Michael Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom, who are the sponsors of the Sportsman of the Year Award (SOYA) congratulated the winners and said his company was proud to be associated with sportsmen and women in the country.

Apart from the national women’s Volley- ball team and Moim, General Service Unit (GSU) men’s Volleyball team, which won a bronze medal during last year’s Afri- can Club Championships in Benin, also This month, clinched an award. Coming shortly after our World the Egyptian national Volleyball team won Championship the same award in Egypt; it was a clear mascot “Val-kun” sign that Volleyball may soon overtake is starting his soccer as the number one sport in Africa. game with a serve. He’s going for an “It is a fact that soccer is the number one ace, like World sport in the world and Africa included but Champion server with the changing trend where the Egyp- Dante Amaral tian national men’s Volleyball team and from Brazil. Next the Kenyan women’s national team have month we will find out been voted ‘Sports Team of the Year’ in whether he scores, or whether the rally continues. their respective countries, volleyball is Website: www.2006vball.jp the sport to watch,” said KVF Secretary General, Jacob Owiti.

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006 Beach Volleyball

beach volleyball men & women back-to-back each day. One session has International flavor for Southern California three Chinese men’s teams with one US team. Another period has two Chinese Beach Volleyball training teams with Kerri and Misty, and then two Chinese teams with the Germans or While the Australian and 2004 Olympic gold medal, has combined another US team. We train three days New Zealand domestic American teams into the training mix with a week with this format. A fourth day of Beach Volleyball tours fea- the Chinese, Germans and Mexicans. practice is for skills training.” tured international players in January and February, the coach In addition to May-Treanor and Walsh, The sessions have also been valuable for of reigning Olympic and World Cham- US players in the training mix have been May-Treanor and Walsh in their prepara- pions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Nicole Branagh, Matt Fuerbringer, Casey tion for the for the 2006 season. Walsh has been preparing several Jennings and Holly McPeak. international players for the 2006 “The Chinese look like they’ve been prac- SWATCH FIVB World Tour season. “Ball control, body posture and timing are ticing before they arrived here,” said always an issue with me when evaluat- Selznick. “With the Chinese’s different Dane Selznick, a former World Champion ing players,” Selznick added. “Due to the style of play, it has helped Misty and Kerri and winner of 13 domestic titles during number of teams, we have three sessions prepare for the 2006 season. Misty is still his 19-season career on the United States circuits, worked with eight female and six male players from China along with their five coaches on the beaches in Southern California. In March, he spent time with players from Germany and Mexico.

“The Chinese talked with me several years ago about training in Southern Califor- nia” said Selznick. “This is my third year accommodating them. After talking with a German women’s team at last Octo- ber’s SWATCH FIVB World Tour stop in Acapulco, they decided to train here along with a women’s team from Mexico.”

Selznick, who was honored by the United SoCal Training (left to right), Coach Yan Jianming, Gao Fangtian, Wu Penggen, Xu Linyin, States Olympic Committee for coaching Matt Fuerbringer, Casey Jennings, Dane Selznick, Zhou Shun, Liu Jian, Han Shengwei, May-Treanor and Walsh to their Athens Gao Shenyang (Federation Official), Head Coach Miao Zhihong

beach volleyball men & women top teams of the CEV European Ranking at The 2006 NESTEA European Championship Tour: a record season with five Masters and a final ! the end of the season. The NESTEA European Championship The NESTEA European that the competition on the continent is Tour 2006 will also be offering a new Championship Tour 2006 is becoming greater every year, but also nomenclature: the European Volleyball set to begin a record sea- because the NESTEA European Champi- Confederation (CEV) and the Zurich based son – more tournaments and onship Tour, in its fourth year of existence, agency Global Sports Marketing (GSM) more prize money than ever before... is offering six tournaments for the first have announced that the European tour- time; more than ever before in the history naments will receive a new name: Instead Vassiliki Karadassiou thinks about this of Beach Volleyball in Europe. of being called ‘Open’, the tournaments year’s NESTEA European Championship leading up to the NESTEA European Tour with a mixture of anticipation and The prize money of the premium product Championship Final are called ‘Masters’ in respect for the upcoming challenge: “The of the European Beach Volleyball scene connection of the Host Country with imme- standard of this European tournament has also been increased along with the diate effect. “Our intention of renaming series has become even more demand- number of tournaments. A total of 700,000 the tournaments is to further strengthen ing”, the athlete said shortly before being Euros (plus bonus pool) will be divided the corporate identity of our Tour. This named Europe’s ‘Queen of the Beach’. “It among the male and female Beach Vol- accurately reflects the further increased will definitely be tough to be among the leyball artists, along with extra incentives standard of the Tour and its tournaments”, very best again this year.” This assess- like the four Smart cars that are awarded Christian Scholbrock, Managing Director ment is not only supported by the fact by the Tour Main Partner Smart to the two of GSM, explained.

The tournaments of the NESTEA European Championship Tour 2006 The Tour will again head to Alanya (Turk- 17 - 21 May Turkish Masters in Alanya ish Masters) to kick off the new season, then move on to Hamburg (German Mas- 31 May - 3 June German Masters in Hamburg ters), Moscow (Russian Masters), Valencia 15 - 18 June Russian Masters in Moscow (Spanish Masters), Lucerne (Swiss Mas- 20 - 23 July Spanish Masters in Valencia ters) and finally the highlight and conclu- 5 - 8 August Swiss Masters in Lucerne sion of the 2006 European Season, the NESTEA European Championship Final 24 - 27 August NESTEA European Championship Final in Royal The Hague 2006 in Royal The Hague (Netherlands).

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006 SWATCH FIVB World Tour

playing it safe since the surgery (right shoulder) in December. Misty’s foot speed is very good right now. Her setting is also better. Kerri is still as fast as ever with the same great ball control and range at the net.”

As for a conflict of interest training foreign teams, Selznick feels there is “...none. I have been working with international players for more than three decades now. The training sessions are not about strat- egy, but about improving basic skills of the game. We work on serving, passing, setting, spiking, blocking and digging. Like any player and/or team I work with, I assess an individual’s current skills and SoCal Training (left to right) for Germany’s Hella Jurich, USA’s Misty May-Treanor, work to improve their game.” Germany’s Rieke Brink-Abeler, Coach Dane Selznick and USA’s Kerri Walsh

Beach VOLLEYBALL men & women 2006 Calendar of the SWATCH FIVB World Tour (30 events)

Women’s Calendar DATES SITE/COUNTRY EVENT PRIZE MONEY BONUS POOL TOTAL May 10-14 Modena, Italy Open USD 100,000 USD 100,000 USD 200,000 May 24-28 Shanghai, China Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 May 31 - June 4 Athens, Greece Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 June 20-24 Gstaad, Switzerland Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 June 27 - July 1 Stavanger, Norway Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 July 4-8 Marseille, France Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 July 12-16 Montréal, Canada Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 July 18-22 St. Petersburg, Russia Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 July 25-29 Paris, France Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 August 2-5 Klagenfurt, Austria Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 August 30-September 3 Warsaw, Poland Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 September 13-17 Porto Santo, Portugal Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 September 26-30 Vitória, Brazil Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 October 25-29 Acapulco, Mexico Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 November 1-5 Phuket, Thailand Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 TOTAL USD 1,660,000 USD 1,700,000 USD 3,360,000

Men’s Calendar DATES SITE/COUNTRY EVENT PRIZE MONEY BONUS POOL TOTAL May 23-27 Shanghai, China Open USD 100,000 USD 100,000 USD 200,000 May 31 - June 4 Zagreb, Croatia Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 June 7-11 Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 June 14-18 Espinho, Portugal Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 June 21-25 Gstaad, Switzerland Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 June 28 - July 2 Stavanger, Norway Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 July 5-9 Marseille, France Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 July 12-16 Montréal, Canada Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 July 19-23 St. Petersburg, Russia Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 July 26-30 Paris, France Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 August 2-6 Klagenfurt, Austria Grand Slam 140,000 150,000 290,000 August 9-13 Stare Jablonki, Poland Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 September 27-October 1 Vitória, Brazil Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 October 18-22 Cape Town, South Africa Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 October 24-28 Acapulco, Mexico Open 100,000 100,000 200,000 TOTAL USD 1,660,000 USD 1,700,000 USD 3,360,000

TOTAL PRIZE MONEY - USD 3,320, 000 / TOTAL FIVB BONUS POOL - USD 3,400,000 TOTAL PRIZE MONEY - USD 6,720,000 15 Women’s events including 4 Grand Slams / 15 Men’s events including 4 Grand Slams / Total of 30 events

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006 Confederations

VOLLEYBALL men sion President Mrs. Riet Ooms, CEV Vice Sisley Treviso wins the Indesit Champions’ League President Mr. Jan Hronek, President of the Italian Volleyball Federation Mr. Carlo 2005-2006 in Rome Magri, President of the Russian Volleyball Federation Mr. Vladimir Patrushev, Presi- Sisley Treviso is the new ing a tiebreak set (21-22), Sisley managed dent of the Greek Volleyball Federation champion of the Indes- to secure their second match point with Mr. Thanassis Beligratis, President of the it European Champions’ an ace by Gustavo Endres (26-24). Austrian Volleyball Federation Mr. Peter League 2005-2006, having Kleinmann, the Mayor of Rome Mr. Walter the honour of calling themselves ‘the The bronze medal went to Lokomo- Veltroni, President of the Local Organising strongest club in Europe’, after win- tiv Belgorod once again after they also Committee Mr. Giovanni Malago, Presi- ning the final match against Greek claimed bronze in last year’s Final Four in dent of the National Olympic Committee Iraklis Thessaloniki 3-1. In the all- Thessaloniki (Greece). This year, they beat Mr. Giovanni Petrucci, as well as the head Russian bronze medal match Lokomo- their compatriots from Dinamo Moscow coach of the Italian national men’s team tiv Belgorod defeated Dinamo Moscow in four sets. Mr. Gianpaolo Montali. 3-1. Amongst over 12,000 spectators who From a different sports field Russian Alex- Sharing the first two sets, Sisley Treviso gathered on Sunday were several offi- ander Popov was present, former Olympic gained the decisive point at the end of cials, namely FIVB President Dr. Rubén gold medallist in freestyle swimming. the third set (25-23), taking a 2-1 lead. Acosta and his wife, CEV President Mr. Although Thessaloniki were close to forc- André Meyer, European Cups Commis- Individual Awards MVP: Alessandro Fei (Sisley Treviso) FIVB President Dr. Rubén Acosta H. Best Scorer: Clayton Stanley (Iraklis Th.) presents the trophy to Treviso - Best Spiker: Thomas John Hoff (Iraklis captain Samuele Papi Th.) - Best Server: Alessandro Fei (Sisley Treviso) - Best Blocker: Gustavo Endres (Sisley Treviso) - Best Setter: Valerio Ver- miglio (Sisley Treviso) Best Libero: Alexey Verbov (Lokomotiv Belgorod)

Results Final: Sisley Treviso (ITA) - Iraklis Th. (GRE) 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 26-24) Bronze medal match: Dinamo Moscow (RUS) - Lokomotiv Belgorod (RUS) 1-3 (19- 25, 25-21, 20-25, 20-25) Semi-finals:Sisley Treviso (ITA) - Dinamo Moscow (RUS) 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-21) Lokomotiv Belgorod (RUS) - Iraklis Th. (GRE) 2-3 (24-26, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 13-15)

national federations 2 next season, the students having experi- national federations English League Champions enced one season in Division 1. Sponsorship for Botswana crowned! They will be replaced by Division 2 Cham- Volleyball Club pions City of Salford and either Thames After the conclusion of the Valley or Leeds, whose late run of form has Sponsorship for a Volleyball regular National League seen them force a play-off. club in Africa can often pro- season in England, City of vide a considerable boost Wolverhampton prevented a Women’s Division 2 was dominated by to the club’s finances and 5th successive title for London Malory Ashcombe Dorking and Loughborough spur them on to great things. Tanian by winning the Women’s Division 1 Students 2 with each team losing only one Volleyball Club of Serowe in Botswana championship and losing only one match all season and ending up with iden- announced a partnership with Oaks match… to Malory! tical sets for and against records! Services (PTY) Ltd. on 6 April 2006. The waste management company has In Men’s Division 1 London Malory pipped Ashcombe, the Division 1 Champions in already been assisting the club with London Docklands to the title, winning the 1987-88, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 take transport and meals for players since championship for an unprecedented 17th the title by virtue of their superior points last year and has now formalised its time in 18 seasons! difference, but are joined by the students relationship with the club. in Division 1 next season. The team that interrupted the London A very young club, registered only in 2004, Malory winning streak in Division 1 by In Division 3 for women, notable con- Tanian Volleyball Club joined the Mascom taking the title in the 1997-98 season have gratulations go to promoted champions League in 2005. During the past year they been relegated from the top-flight after Nottingham, Swiss Cottage and Oxford have made considerable improvements over 20 seasons in the elite league of Eng- Students, and for men to Brentwood Esto- both at management and playing level. lish Volleyball: London Aquila Lynx join nians, Haughton and again Oxford Stu- The team participated in JB Sports and Loughborough Students back in Division dents. the Top 8 of the Mascom league.

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006 National Federations

national federations 2006 Global Calendar - Competitions and Events - Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Gift to Georgian Federation DATES EVENT COUNTRY CONF. M/W from Netherlands April 29-May 1 Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour Vietnam AVC W May Board of Administration Indonesia AVC On March 27, the President May 5-7 2006-2007 ECH Pool A Andorra CEV M of the Georgian Volleyball May 10-14 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Modena, Italy FIVB W Federation and Member of May 12 Press Commission & Press Officers’ Meeting Lausanne, Switzerland FIVB FIVB Development Commis- May 13-14 2006-2007 ECH 1st Round Various venues CEV M/W sion Mr. Levan Akhvlediani and First May 15-17 Executive Committee Meeting Lausanne, Switzerland FIVB Lady of Georgia, Honorary President May 17-21 Beach Volleyball NESTEA ECH Turkish Masters Alanya, Turkey CEV of the Federation Mrs. Sandra Elisa- May 19-21 2006-2007 ECH Pool A Reykjavik, Iceland CEV W beth Roelofs, held a press conference May 19-21 Board of Administration Lausanne, Switzerland FIVB in the Federation’s office. May 20-21 ECH 1st Round Various venues CEV MW May 21-28 2006 Asian Men’s Club championship Nam Dinh, Vietnam AVC M Mrs. Roelofs is from Holland and her May 23-27 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Shanghai, China FIVB M home town educational college, ROC May 24-28 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Shanghai, China FIVB W Westersceldecollege, had sent gifts to the May 24-31 Asian Women’s Club championship Manila, Philippines AVC W Georgian Women’s Club ‘GIKO’, including May 24-28 2006 ECH U-19 Qualification tournament Various venues CEV W balls, nets, a video camera, t-shirts, shorts, May 24-28 2006 ECH U-20 Qualification tournament Various venues CEV M track suits and bags. Mrs. Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs said: “Vol- May 25-28 FIVB Beach Volleyball Challenger Brno, Czech Republic FIVB M nd leyball is great sport, as it is a non-con- May 26-28 2006-2007 M&W’s ECH 2 and D Tournament 1 Various venues CEV M/W st tact team sport that is violence-free. The May 27-28 2006-2007 ECH 2nd Round 1 Leg H&A Various venues CEV M Georgian Volleyball Federation is doing May 31-June 4 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Athens, Greece FIVB W a lot to develop Volleyball and Beach Vol- May 31-June 4 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Zagreb, Croatia FIVB M leyball in Georgia. I decided from my side May 31-June 3 Beach Volleyball NESTEA ECH German Masters Hamburg CEV to ask my home town college to support June M&W’s Beach Volleyball Tour (2 Legs) Indonesia AVC M/W the club ‘GIKO’. I hope many sponsors will June 2-4 2006-2007 Women’s ECH Gibraltar, GB CEV W follow this idea and buy equipment for June 2-4 2006-2007 ECH 2nd Round Tournament 1+2 Various venues CEV M/W local clubs in different regions of Georgia. June 3-4 2006-2007 ECH 2nd Round 2nd Leg H&A Various venues CEV M Of course I will support the Men’s and June 3-12 1st Pan-American Cup Mexicali & Tijuana, Mexico NORCECA M Women’s National Teams of Georgia in June 5-11 Montreux Volley Masters Montreux, Switzerland W May, when they play European Cham- June 7-11 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy FIVB M pionship matches in Tbilisi, Georgia. On June 9-11 2006-2007 ECH 2nd Round Tournament 2 Various venues CEV M/W the Independence Day of Georgia, May 26, June 10-11 2006-2007 ECH 2nd Round 3rd Leg H&A Various venues CEV M the Women’s National Team of Georgia June 14-18 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Open Espinho,Portugal FIVB M will play against France and the next day June 15-18 Beach Volleyball NESTEA ECH Russian Masters Moscow, Russia CEV M/W against Germany. I hope that this is a good June 16-18 ECH 2nd Round Tournament 2 Various venues CEV M/W present for our supporters to see the best June 17 Top Teams Cup Drawing of Lots Luxembourg CEV M/W teams of Europe in Georgia. Also I hope June 17 CEV Cup Drawing of Lots Luxembourg CEV M/W that one day we will organize a Beach Vol- June 17-18 2006-2007 ECH 2nd Round 4th Leg H&A Various venues CEV M leyball tournament in Sukhumi.” June 20-24 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Grand Slam Gstaad, Switzerland FIVB W Mr. Levan Akhvlediani thanked the Fed- eration’s Honorary President for her help June 21-25 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Grand Slam Gstaad, Switzerland FIVB M in developing Volleyball and Beach Vol- June 23 Indesit ECL Drawing of Lots Vienna, Austria CEV M/W nd th leyball in the country, as well as the college June 24-25 2006-2007 ECH 2 Round 5 Leg Various venues CEV M in Holland for its support: “We saw how June 24-25 Indesit ECL Seminars Vienna, Austria CEV M/W many youngsters visit Volleyball sections June 27-July 1 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Grand Slam Stavanger, Norway FIVB W around country. A few years ago, we June 27-July 8 Vth Pan-American Cup Puerto Rico NORCECA W could never have imagined that so many June 28-July 2 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Grand Slam Stavanger, Norway FIVB M

Mrs. Sandra young people would play Volleyball. This Elisabeth Roelofs, is thanks to the hard work of our Federa- First Lady of tion. As you know, the FIVB is the biggest Georgia, and Mr. sports organization in the world and I am Levan Akhvlediani, proud the Georgian Federation is proba- President of the bly the only one that has the First Lady as Georgian its Honorary President. This year is very Federation important for us, as Volleyball is the only team sport in Georgia with national teams in both genders and they will play against best teams. Beach Volleyball is becoming increasingly popular not only on Black Sea cost, but in big cities as well. We hope our Men’s Team in Beach Volleyball will have good results on the 2006 SWATCH FIVB World Tour. Once again thanks to everyone for the support.”

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006 Confederations

national federations In addition to various commitments to ASICS extends contract Volleyball, ASICS is also increasing its focus on Beach Volleyball: Germany’s two with German Volleyball Federation top teams, Geeske Banck/Susanne Lahme for the women and Julius Brink/Christoph ASICS Germany and the Ger- the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, 80 % Dieckmann for the men, will also be start- man Volleyball Federation of all Volleyball players wore ASICS sport ing the new season with ASICS. (DVV) extended their agree- shoes. Today, ASICS is clear market leader ment prematurely at the in Germany with an 80 % market share DVV Cup Final in Halle (Westphalia). and worldwide, it’s the brand that the The new agreement runs until 2010. majority of players place their trust in.

ASICS has had a close and successful part- “ASICS and Volleyball quite simply belong nership with the DVV since 1998. As a together. Our commitment to extend our sponsor of national teams, clubs, events longstanding partnership with the DVV and top players, ASICS has witnessed is a clear expression of our confidence in numerous international sporting high- the potential of the national team and the lights: for example the women’s World sport as a whole. Volleyball will remain a Championships in 2002, the men’s Euro- strategic focus for us,” said ASICS Germa- pean Championships the following year, ny’s managing director Dieter Bauer. the men’s Olympic qualification round in “We are very happy to secure this long- 2004 and the women’s World Champion- term partnership with ASICS – one of the ship qualification tournament in 2005. world’s leading producers of sport shoes ASICS Germany’s managing director and textiles. Our athletes appreciated Dieter Bauer, left, and DVV President With the early extension of the partner- the quality of the products from the out- Werner von Moltke, right, extended ship, ASICS underscores its sustained set and our mutual trust and respect has their agreement until 2010 involvement and its confidence in its never stopped growing. With ASICS, we sporting partners in Volleyball, which is don’t just want our players to look good, national federations an important part of the technology-lead- we want them to cause a stir at the 2006 Volleyball Australia sign er’s activities in Germany. ASICS has a World Championships in Japan,” said on SportingPulse long-standing tradition with Volleyball. At DVV President Werner von Moltke. as technology national federations and marketing partner Joop Alberda appointed Technical Director Volleyball Australia is of the Dutch Volleyball Association pleased to announce the signing of a 3 years part- The Dutch Volleyball Asso- The Dutch Federation has had some tough nership with SportingPulse ciation recently announced years with big financial difficulties. How- as their technology and marketing its plans to become one of ever, it’s on its way back up. partner. the best teams in the world again. Playing at top level once again In order to achieve its ambitious goals, “This partnership will allow Volleyball in will have a very positive effect on the it has focused on a strong and profes- Australia to grow to the next level and whole sport in Holland and the rest sional top sport organisation, sufficient for our sport to finally be on the inter- of the world. The Dutch Volleyball structural and financial means and a pro- net ‘map’ which will drive much of the Federation (NeVoBo) therefore plans fessional organisation with courses and future decision-making of the community” to grow the sport at both the top level education for talented young players. said Andrew Scotford, Volleyball Australia and among the grass roots. General Manager. The service will not only To assist with this development, NeVoBo include the provision of a professional web decided to appoint a Technical Director. It presence for Volleyball Australia, its mem- is a great pleasure and a very big step for ber states and their clubs and associations Volleyball in the country to announce Joop but also a complete management system Alberda as the new Technical Director. that will let our administrators focus on After a successful period as coach of the growing the sport of Volleyball. National Team (World League in 1996 as “We are delighted to be working with Vol- well as an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta), leyball at such an exciting time for their he worked from 1997 until 2005 for the sport,” said SportingPulse General Man- Olympic Committee in Holland and was ager, Andrew Collins. “SportingPulse are member of the ‘Team the Mission’ in 2000 proud to work with sport at all levels; from and 2004. grass roots administrators to world leading national and international sporting NeVoBo President Mr. H. Nieukerke, bodies. Volleyball in Australia will benefit summed up the new appointment thus: from proven best practice technology that “I don’t have to introduce Joop Alberda provides efficiencies to all stakeholders Joop Alberda took gold as head coach to anyone. He is loaded with experience, and will help grow the sport by providing of the Dutch men’s team at the 1996 knowledge and ambition. Therefore he is incentives for all Volleyball administra- Olympic Games in Atlanta the perfect person to fulfil this function.” tors affiliated with the national body.”

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. 3 • May 2006

FIVB World Volley News No. 3 May 2006