Leitner to lead Austrian Volleyball family for another term

At the Austrian Volleyball Federation (ÖVV) General Assembly held at the Multiversum Schwechat on Sunday, the Executive Board was unanimously confirmed for the upcoming term. Gernot Leitner remains President of the Austrian Volleyball Federation. Michael Horvath continues his role as First Vice-President, Markus Petsche assumes the role of Vice-President for Administration and Finance, and Christian Mairhofer becomes Vice-President representing the regional associations. New to the board is former top Austrian Beach Volleyball player Lena Plesiutschnig as Vice-President for Beach Volleyball. Frederick Laure remains Vice-President responsible for the National Leagues, and Max Thaller remains the Athletes’ Representative. 

With Plesiutschnig’s appointment, Victoria Mayr’s tenure comes to an end. Due to professional commitments, she was no longer available for another term. 

President Gernot Leitner interpreted the unanimous re-election as an important vote of confidence: “Unanimity is always a wonderful expression of trust. At the General Assembly, we thoroughly reviewed the past nine years and noted all that has been achieved. We were able to significantly broaden the budget, develop the win2day Beach Volleyball Tour and the Austrian Volleyball Leagues very successfully, and also celebrate positive developments and successes with our national teams. I am particularly proud of the development in youth Volleyball, where we have built a strong pyramid.” 

Leitner also pointed to the association’s sound financial management: “We have worked intensively on the structures, expansion, and commercial effectiveness of the Austrian Volleyball Federation. We now generate almost 50 percent of our budget ourselves. This is a great success that makes us more independent.” 

The Austrian Volleyball Federation President expressed his delight at the new appointment in the Beach Volleyball division: “With Lena Plesiutschnig, we have brought a very experienced Vice-President for Beach Volleyball onto the board. I am very happy that she accepted the position and will contribute her experience and professionalism in public relations.” 

Looking to the future, Leitner emphasised that the current course will be pursued consistently. The focus is already on the coming years and the next goals leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.