WPV President whirlwind visit to Europe

Barry Couzner, World ParaVolley president, was invited by FIPAV and Paravolley Europe to attend meetings in Italy and Slovenia to discuss many topics such as development in Europe, Italiy as an example of good practise with Paravolley and strong support from NPC Italy for the future of our disciplines. He then ended up his European trip in Sarajevo (BIH), host of the next World Championships.

Rome (ITA) – 28th July: In the presence of FIPAV Vice President Adriano Bilato, Italian Paralympic Committee president Luca Pancalli and ParaVolley Europe Marketing Director Guido Pasciari, Barry Couzner and Branko Mihorko President of Paravolley Europe were welcomed at the Paralympic Committee to discuss ideas and programmes for the future of Italian, European and World sitting volleyball. Many fruitful discussions took place with FIPAV being keen to offer ITO activities and all attendees were delighted to have the opportunity to have face to face meetings.

From left to right: FIPAV Vice President Adriano Bilato, Italian Paralympic Committee president Luca Pancalli, ParaVolley Europe Marketing Director Guido Pasciari, World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner and Paravolley Europe President Branko Mihorko

Ljubljana (SLO) – 30th July / 1st August:

Meetings were held with Christos Tzamousis, Secretary General Hellenic Paralympic Committee and the main topic of discussion was the 2023 Mediterranean Beach Game which will be held in Heraklion, Crete, and during which there will be Beach ParaVolley and Beach Sitting Volleyball. Mr. Tzamousis had the opportunity to meet not only with Barry, Branko, Guido and Nello but also to have first hand experience of the two disciplines and what is needed to organise a high-level tournament.

From left to right: ParaVolley Europe General Manager Nello Calleja, Secretary General Hellenic Paralympic Committee Christos Tzamousis, World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner and ParaVolley Europe President Branko Mihorko

World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner attended for a number of Beach ParaVolley and Beach Sitting Volleyball matches as part of the 2022 Slovenia Beach ParaVolley Open at both the Ludus Beach Park and in Kongresni Square.

World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner congratulating the Beach Sitting Volley Men winners – Doboj-Beograd

They ended up their busy meeting schedule with some down time and some ite visits to Lake Bled and Postojna Caves before WPV President Barry Couzner and PVE President Branko Mihorko moved on to Sarajevo (BIH) where a press conference was held to announce the 2022 World Championships for sitting volleyball and these will take place between 4th and 11th November 2022.

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