Doing his bit and more for Sitting Volleyball in Germany!

1 – How did you get involved in Sitting Volleyball?

In 1977 I had an accident with a fork-lift truck and that is how I came in touch with adapted sports.

I got involved in Sitting Volleyball in 1989 when TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen asked me to swich sports from ‘Sitzball’ which I had played from 1978 on, to Sitting Volleyball.

2 – What is it that motivates you each day to further develop our sport?

What motivates me is to give younger people the opportunity to grow in the sport and in the end give them – or create – the opportunity to qualify for major events such as the Paralympic Games.

Also I consider not only Sitting Volleyball, but all adapted sports, as giving the chance for people to attain respect for themselves.

3 – What has been your biggest achievement in Sitting Volleyball to date?

I would say that my biggest achievements have been the Bronze medal on the Paralympic games in Barcelona in 1992, the 2nd place on the World Championships 2002.

4 – How would you explain Sitting Volleyball to someone in 12 words or less?

A game that fascinates one from the first moment.

5 – Where/how do you see Sitting Volleyball in 10 years time?

n 10 years time I see sitting volleyball as a very strong sport in Eastern Europe. World-wide I think a great development will be visible, but I also think that Western Europe has to be carefull not to fall behind.

At last, along this way, I would like to thank a few people:

Norbert Berheide – the sponsor of sports who got me in touch with the adapted sports of Sitzball and Sitting Volleyball

Karl Quade – longtime trainer TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, trainer of the national team in Athens 2004

Handicapped Department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen – especially Jörg Frischmann

DBS – for their support of the German Sitting Volleyball

…and thank all those that I have created and chased the Paralympic Dream with.

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The ‘Movers & Shakers’ initiative is aimed at giving more recognition to those that are developing Sitting Volleyball around the globe.

It can be anyone working in the sport, whether they have excelled at promoting it, ran a successful competition, started a new club/activity, organised events to increase awareness, influenced people for the greater benefit of the sport or a combination of the above.

Please do let us know if you know of someone who deserves to be highlighted by e-mailing
volleyslide@worldparavolley.org with the following:

• Full name
• e-mail address
• Country in which they mainly work
• A short justification of why you are putting them forward

Their story will also offer others a chance for others to learn from their good practise and use what works in their area for even greater benefit.  This is your chance to give recognition to those who promote and build the sport of sitting volleyball.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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Previous Mover & Shakers: