ERC seminar combines education and technology in Cluj-Napoca

The European Refereeing Commission (ERC) continues to invest in the education, development and continuous improvement of both international and national referees, while embracing the opportunities offered by new technologies to support modern refereeing.

While the city of Cluj-Napoca was playing host to the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men Pool D matches, the ERC delivered a dedicated refereeing seminar gathering more than 157 referees and 25 supervisors from across Europe. The seminar was placed under the authority of ERC member Goran Gradinski of Serbia and Simone Santi, CEV Challenge Referee who is also playing a prominent role in running and supervising refereeing activities in his native Italy. 

The programme combined technical education, practical experience, and the latest developments in refereeing technology. Saturday morning featured a highly interactive technical session based on video material, practical examples, and open discussions on refereeing situations. The format encouraged active participation and a constructive exchange of views on key technical aspects of the game, while also supporting a common and consistent approach to referee evaluation. A session about the new philosophy applied to the all-important role of Referee Coach was delivered as well. 

The opening session was attended by the President of the Romanian Volleyball Federation Adin Marian Cojocaru and Secretary General Constantin Ispas, whose presence highlighted the strong support of the Romanian Volleyball Federation for referee education and the further development of match officials.

The representatives of the Romanian Volleyball Federation expressed their pride for hosting the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men Pool D matches in Cluj-Napoca and contributing to the successful organisation of the premier competition for men’s national teams.

The seminar once again demonstrated the ERC’s commitment to education, innovation, consistency and continuous development, ensuring that referees across Europe are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and technological understanding required by the modern game. Through initiatives such as this, the ERC continues to strengthen the refereeing community and to promote a common European approach to officiating, thereby combining human expertise, education, and technology for the benefit of Volleyball.