GIUGNI OAM Stephen AUS (PVAO)
Stephen became involved with WOVD as Australia began its preparations for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. It was a wonderful opportunity for Australia to host the Games, and a great opportunity for Australian Volleyball officials, as it required local referees to support the event. As a result, Stephen successfully completed an International Referee course in Sydney in 1999 at the South Pacific Games – the first time that Australia had hosted a sitting volleyball event.
Regarding who had the greatest influence on his development, Stephen Giugni stated:
“The list is extensive but the person who has provided the most support and guidance throughout my career has been Barry Couzner. Barry provided guidance and support to me as a developing referee within World ParaVolley, and he always encouraged me to look at exploring a range of ways to support our organisation including involvement in the Referee Commission and then bringing my experience as an FIVB Beach Volleyball referee to assist the development of Beach ParaVolley over the last decade.”
Event involvement:
1999 to 2017 – International Referee Highlights
1999 – Sydney, Australia – South Pacific Games – International Referee Course
2000 – Sydney, Australia – Paralympic Games – International Referee
2002 – Busan Korea – 8th FESPIC Games – International Referee
2004 – Athens, Greece – Paralympic Games – International Referee
2006 – The Netherlands – World Championships – International Referee
2010 – USA – World Championships – International Referee
2012 – London, England – Paralympic Games – International Referee
2014 – Poland – World Championships – International Referee
2016 – Rio, Brasil – Paralympic Games – International Referee
Referee Observer
2017 – Canada – PanAm Zonal Championships – Referee Observer
2018 – The Netherlands – World Championships – Referee Observer
Referee Delegate / Instructor
2014 – Iran – Asia Oceania Championships – Referee Delegate, WPV Staff Tutor/Referee Instructor
2018 – Sydney, Australia – INVICTUS Games – Referee Delegate, WPV Staff Tutor/Referee Instructor
Referee Commission
2010 – 2018 – World ParaVolley Referee Commission Member
2010 – 2014 – Asia-Oceania Referee Commission representative
2014 – 2018 – Beach representative with responsibility for facilitating the development of the Rules of the Game for beach related disciplines
Assistant Sport Director – Beach
2018 – current – Assistant Sport Director – Beach – with the role of establishing the strategy to support the development of Beach ParaVolley, specifically in the refinement of the documentation, protocols and rules, and to work with the Board to support the proposal for inclusion of Beach ParaVolley in LA2028 Paralympic Games. Relevant Skills include – FIVB International Beach Volleyball Referee – 1996 – 2017
Beach ParaVolley Technical Official
2019 – Pingtan, China – Pingtan Open, Beach ParaVolley – Technical Delegate
Accredited World ParaVolley Referee Delegate, Referee Observer and Referee Staff Tutor. Involved with Administration (Governance) since 2008.
Awards received:
Recognised with an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in 2017, in part for services to Volleyball and ParaVolley, including as a referee and in the development of referees
Life Member – Volleyball Australia – in recognition of sustained performance as a national and international referee for FIVB and World ParaVolley and referee development.
Official posts:
Assistant Sport Director (Beach)
Member of WPV Referee Commission
“I have known Dr. Stephen Giugni OAM for the last three decades through our mutual involvement in volleyball and paravolley. His greatest contribution has been in the areas of officiating, mentoring and administration for sitting volleyball, standing volleyball and beach paravolley. In these fields he has made a significant contribution as a volunteer by officiating at many major World ParaVolley sanctioned events, by supporting the development of new referees and by leading the effort to include the discipline of beach paravolley in the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.
“His greatest recent impact has perhaps been in the area of beach paravolley where his extensive experience as an international beach volleyball referee for the FIVB has enabled him to develop the necessary background documentation for the efficient and effective conduct of beach paravolley events for the athletes and also to lead the update of the beach paravolley and beach sitting Rules of the Game.
“Stephen Giugni has a proven willingness to contribute to the development of World ParaVolley in all disciplines worldwide and in Asia/Oceania and the event commitments he has made over many years.”
– Barry Couzner OAM World ParaVolley President