Next cohort of international referees emerges from course held in Vichy

The European Refereeing Commission (ERC) successfully delivered an International Referee Candidate Course attended by 26 candidates from 24 National Federations – thereby laying the groundwork for the emergence of the next cohort of elite Volleyball referees. The course, whose programme included also officiating as many as 44 matches contested by U22 players, was held from May 17 to 24 at the CREPS in Vichy, where ideal conditions were provided. 

The state-of-the-art facilities available at CREPS in Vichy allowed the candidates to develop their skills in a truly suitable environment. Moreover, the competition proved challenging from both a technical and human standpoint as well – thereby allowing the candidates to test themselves under conditions close to those they will find themselves in if they are to officiate at an international event. 

The course instructors – ERC President Arturo Di Giacomo supported by Zorica Bjelic, Sandy Steel and Frans Loderus – were extremely pleased with the quality of the skills the candidates were able to display. These went far beyond the pure technical knowledge and mastery of the game; the instructors were especially happy with the teamwork and spirit that the attendees showed throughout the whole course. This constructive approach allowed a modern management of all activities as well as the development of a productive cooperation and interaction among all the participants. 

The ERC wishes to thank the French Volleyball Federation for their readiness to host such a high-profile course in a truly professional and welcoming environment. Moreover, the ERC and especially the course instructors extend their warmest congratulations to all candidates on the successful completion of the course held in Vichy, while wishing them the best of success for a hopefully long international career in the sport. 

The 26 candidates emerging from the course are: Christophe Leitold (Austria), Dominik Hamer (Croatia), Patrik Koutnik (Czechia), Andreas Bak-Georgsen (Denmark), Anna Justkowska (England), Imre Käpa (Estonia), Suvi Helena Rönnqvist (Finland), Arthur Drevot (France), Marvin Sayag (France), Nikoloz Lefterov (Georgia), Daniel Nahhas (Germany), Barnabas Barabas (Hungary), Ittai Schickman (Israel), Andrea Clemente (Italy), Gustas Pultarackas (Lithuania), Natalia Lukoshkina (Moldova), Aleksandar Cekov (North Macedonia), Nevena Jekmenovic (Montenegro), Tomasz Balabanski (Poland), Mateusz Bronski (Poland), Maria Ferreira (Portugal), Andrei Dan (Romania), Dominik Sirant (Scotland), Vladimir Stojanac (Serbia), Sandra Auricht (Switzerland), and Damla Göktan Hafif (Sweden).