The inaugural ParaVolley Europe (PVE) Convention “Activation Through Coaching,” held 20–22 February 2026 in Sarajevo, marked a major milestone in the development of sitting volleyball, bringing together 60 participants from 25 countries, including 9 new and prospective member nations.
Organised by ParaVolley Europe with the support of World ParaVolley, the convention reinforced the shared commitment to education, cooperation, and sustainable growth across Europe and the global ParaVolley community.
Collaboration Across Europe and the Global Movement
The event highlighted the importance of alignment between continental and global bodies, with World ParaVolley working closely alongside ParaVolley Europe to support new members, strengthen national structures, and expand opportunities for athletes worldwide.
World ParaVolley President Juergen Schrapp emphasised the significance of the gathering:
“This convention means a lot for World ParaVolley. First, it shows how important collaboration is ParaVolley Europe and our global organisation working together as one team. Second, we have new members here and existing countries represented by their coaches. For me, coaches are the lifeblood of our organisation. They develop athletes, they build teams, and bringing them together to interact, exchange experiences, and learn from one another is a major step forward for our sport.”
Education Programme: Coaching at the Core
The convention delivered a comprehensive education programme combining theory, practical application, and strategic discussion.
Key Expert Sessions Included:
Robin de Haan (Netherlands) – Growing the Game: Building the Foundations for ParaVolley to Thrive
Focused on coaching methodology, inclusion, and athlete pathway development, followed by a practical session on grassroots training environments and tips for new teams.
Anton Raimondo (South Africa) – Understanding the Global Picture
Provided an overview of ParaVolley’s worldwide development and opportunities for international collaboration.
Matt Rogers (Great Britain) – Coach Education Opportunities
Outlined WPV coach education pathways and guidance on hosting courses to strengthen national coaching capacity.
Ifet Mahmutović (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – Building a Team: Technical & Tactical Development and Learning from Those Who Lead
Delivered practical and strategic insights into team development, reinforced by a demonstration session with Bosnia and Herzegovina national team players and lessons from the country’s sustained international success.
Massimo Beretta (Italy) – From Sitting to Sport: How Coaches Are the Drivers
Explored key differences between volleyball and sitting volleyball and strategies for building sustainable club structures, followed by a practical session on coaching progressions and small-sided games.
Nello Calleja (Malta) – Defining the Impact: Utilising EU Funds to Develop Our Sport
Highlighted how EU funding mechanisms can support national federations, strengthen programmes, and create sustainable development pathways across the region.
Onur Hosnut (Türkiye) – Growing the Game: Building the Foundations for ParaVolley to Thrive
Explored strategic development approaches, emphasising inclusion, structured growth, and long-term planning to ensure ParaVolley programmes can flourish at national and grassroots levels.
Learning Through Practice and Shared Experience
Practical workshops and a live demonstration match featuring the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team enabled participants to connect theory with elite performance. Observing the match alongside experienced coaches encouraged real-time analysis and deeper technical understanding.
Roundtables Driving Real-World Impact
The final day centred on interactive roundtables covering key development areas, including:
- Competition pathways and opportunities
- Communications and marketing
- EU funding and partnerships
- Coaching and club development
- Classification and global programme support
- Grassroots to high-performance pathways
- International networking
A joint Q&A session and action-planning workshop encouraged delegates to identify practical steps they can implement immediately within their own countries.
A Foundation for Future Growth
More than a successful event, the Sarajevo convention established a strong foundation for continued collaboration, education, and expansion across Europe and beyond. With new nations joining and established members deepening their expertise, the ParaVolley community continues to grow stronger, more connected, and better equipped to deliver inclusive sporting opportunities worldwide.
The first PVE Convention closes not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a sustained movement, one driven by empowered coaches, shared knowledge, and a collective commitment to developing sitting volleyball at every level.