Denis Le Breuilly has announced his retirement from active duty with World ParaVolley after more than 30 years, serving six Federation Presidents, of involvement with volleyball for the physically impaired.
This December, Le Breuilly formally confirmed that he is retiring from all his current WPV roles as:
- A Senior International Technical Official
- An international Technical Official Tutor, Mentor and Assessor
- A Senior International Referee Tutor, Observer, Mentor (Referee Coach) and Assessor
- Technical Commission Member for HR
- A member of the Awards Committee (formerly Chair and Team Leader)
Denis has held numerous roles with our International Federation. Some of the elements and contributions of which he says he is particularly proud include:
- International Referee (Standing and Sitting) and Secretary of the Referee Commission 2005-2010
- At the time of my appointment as interim Competition Manager/Sport Director, delivering the 2010 ‘Worlds’ in Oklahoma with 32 teams in A and B competitions.
- As Sport Director 2010-2018, developing the structure of Commissions and Committees. Recruiting and populating with members, including some officials to senior posts
- Ensuring that WOVD/WPV were compliant with the IPC International Classification Code and the WADA Anti-Doping Code, by writing/updating said codes, thus securing sitting volleyball’s eligibility for inclusion in London 2012 and Rio 2016
- Development of a close relationship with IPC and its department heads, by attending Sports Council, General Assemblies, etc. This proved particularly important when planning London 2012 and Rio 2016
- Training International officials in Africa in order to enable delivery of a zonal event for a sub-Saharan country to qualify for London 2012. Delivery the event as Technical Delegate.
- More recently, launching worldwide the Technical Official Education Programme Successfully developing the HR base
- Planning, and delivering a high standard of presentation for a sold-out London 2012 Games, a landmark for Para Sport in general and sitting volleyball in particular. Being responsible for the signing of the MoU and 43 Appendices
- Initiating the change of name from ‘World Volleyball for Disabled’ to my suggested name of ‘World ParaVolley’. This was prior to the IPC using the Para prefix for the nine sports they controlled and to its use by any other federation
He states:
“During my 30+ years of involvement with volleyball for the physically impaired, it has always been a pleasure to work with and for our athletes, to recruit and train officials, and to work with some wonderfully committed staff and ‘gamesmakers’ both within WOVD/WPV and our member nations. Particular thanks to my wife Pauline for her unfailing support, and that of daughters Lisa and Clare, without which nothing could have been achieved”.
World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner OAM spoke highly of Le Breuilly’s achievements:
“Denis Le Breuilly was an amazing volunteer who helped to create the remarkable IF that we have today through his incredible loyalty, dedication and commitment over many years. Denis built the education structures, recruited many influential people and ensured compliance with the Anti-Doping Code and the Athlete Classification Code before World ParaVolley had a Medical Department. His Honorary Life Membership awarded in 2018 hardly seems adequate recognition for the years of hard work he put in and the outcomes he achieved. One of the greats.”