The CEV Board implements a series of relevant measures for future events

News from the CEV

Brussels, Belgium, June 15, 2009. The CEV Executive Committee and Board of Administration resumed this past weekend to Brussels with a few key issues to be discussed, starting with a follow up of the financial accounts to move then to the revision of the official regulations that are going to govern the upcoming competitions.
CEV Senior Vice President and Treasurer Philip Berben was more than delighted to welcome all participants to Brussels and to fire up this meeting the Royal Belgian Volleyball Federation was able to stage thanks to the outstanding support coming from the Comité Olympique et Interfédéral Belge. CEV President André Meyer as well as all Board members pleased the warm-heartedness and conviviality that blessed this weekend, addressing their gratitude to Mr. Berben and all the people involved in the successful staging of this meeting.
The CEV Board has entrusted the Slovenian Volleyball Federation with the organization of next year’s Congress, which is therefore likely to be held in Ljubljana in October 2010, i.e. right after the FIVB Men’s World Championship in Italy.
Moreover, after the investigation carried out by Mr. Berben with the support of British Volleyball Federation President Richard Callicott, the Board ascertained that Wales might come back to the European volleyball family and even be eligible to participate in the 2009 Congress as soon as the local officials can proof that elections have been organized to swear in a new governing body and authority.
The 2008 financial accounts, which had already undergone a careful evaluation through both an internal and external audit, were also blessed by the Board members. In the frame of the 2010 budget he CEV Board decided to invest in a series of new projects, such as the expansion of Beach Volleyball competitions and events, a campaign to be implemented against the use of performance-enhancing drugs (doping), the back-up of female referees as well as of all organizations that are contributing to the development and promotion of volleyball in Europe (through Zonal Associations, the CEV Sports Aid Program, the athletes themselves via the distribution of prize money etc.). The 2010 budget was also adopted by the Board and will be submitted for a final approval to the Congress that is set to gather in Izmir next September 11, 2009. Moreover, the Board agreed upon the proposal of the European Financial Commission and of the Executive Committee that analyses should be started in order to investigate the possibility for CEV to buy its own headquarters in Luxembourg.
The Board also agreed upon the measures the EXCOM had already arranged against the Hellenic Volleyball Federation and the club of Iraklis THESSALONIKI for the blameworthy acts of vandalism that had marked a series of matches played during the last Cups season and especially the Champions League final in Prague (click here for more details).
The venues for the finals of the 2009 European League were confirmed, with Kayseri (Turkey) to welcome next July 11-12 the four best teams having qualified from the preliminaries of the first Women’s League ever and Portugal to stage the men’s final tournament slated for July 18-19.
CEV Vice President and ECC President Riet Ooms reported a few details about the final figures she had received for the enrolment in the 2009/2010 European Cups season, with a total of 174 registered for the CEV Indesit Champions League, CEV and GM Capital Challenge Cups; there is a slight decrease in comparison with the previous years, but taking into consideration the financial difficulties that have been affecting the international scenario and volleyball clubs as well, the final outcome of the registration was definitely encouraging and well promising for another successful Cups season.
Last but not least, the Board members agreed upon some proposals worked out through the European Beach Volleyball Commission and with the new philosophy that is keen to govern and promote this discipline for the years to come. With the FIVB having transferred to the Continental Confederations the jurisdiction over Challenger and Satellite events taking place in their own affiliated National Federations, the Board welcomed the introduction of such events as a real development of high class competitions as well as of an additional tour likely to boost this discipline in those countries that have not been that much into it so far. Moreover, the U23 age group will be also disposing of its own circuit, as this category represents the very last step before turning professional and should be therefore additionally fostered and backed.
Both the Executive Committee and the Board of Administration will resume to Izmir next September for a meeting to be combined with the XXX General Assembly and the 4th Seminar for Secretaries General, this year likely to be specifically devoted to Beach Volleyball and anti-doping policies.