Dan Palmer Wednesday, 27 February 2019 https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1076068/world-paravolley-announce-members-of-revamped-athletes-commission
World ParaVolley has announced the members of its revamped Athletes’ Commission after elections held across the world.
Canada’s José Rebelo was elected for the Americas and was then named as chair, earning a place on the governing body’s Board of Directors.
In all, six different countries are represented with an equal number of males and females.
Iran’s Masoumeh Barouti will represent Asia/Oceania with Emile Vunigabo of Rwanda elected from Africa.
Croatian Ivan Cosic will represent Europe with Nicole Nieves of the United States selected as a general member after a global vote.
Russia’s Tatiana Ivanova was named as sitting volleyball representative with a beach representative due to be chosen soon.
The vice chair of the body is also soon to be selected, and must be female.
She will also take a place on the Board.
“I’m very pleased that the World ParaVolley athletes have demonstrated a high level of engagement in the election process and that the newly elected members of the Commission will be actively involved in providing information and feedback to the Board and Commissions of World ParaVolley on a variety of matters from the perspective of an athlete,” said World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner.
Rebelo added: “It is with great honour that I receive this announcement.
“I want to thank all the candidates for your desire to develop ParaVolley in all its forms – it is really heartening.”
There were 25 candidates for the various roles with 65 per cent of 317 eligible voters casting a ballot.
At their General Assembly in 2018, World ParaVolley agreed to appoint two athletes – one male and one female – to their Board as voting members.
New athlete voices for sitting volleyball
World ParaVolley Athletes’ Commission elected27 Feb 2019 https://www.paralympic.org/news/new-athlete-voices-sitting-volleyball
Sitting volleyball has a new Athletes’ Commission ⒸGetty ImagesBy World ParaVolley
World ParaVolley is entering a new era of athlete engagement after world-wide elections to choose the members of the Athletes’ Commission took place in early 2019.
Four regional elections across Europe, Asia/Oceania, Africa and the Americas were followed by one global election to elect the fifth Commission member.
There was high-athlete engagement, resulting in 25 candidates and 317 eligible voters.
World ParaVolley General Manager Phil Allen said: “With international electronic voting it is really impossible to know what participation levels might be, as there are so many factors at play, including potential language barriers, access to internet services, time zones, etc. But overall we are very happy with the participation levels.”
After all votes were tallied, the elected members of the Athletes’ Commission are:
• Jose Rebelo (CAN) – representing ParaVolley Pan America
• Masoumeh Barouti (IRI) – representing ParaVolley Asia/Oceania
• Emile Vunigabo (RWA) – representing ParaVolley Africa
• Ivan Cosic (CRO) – representing ParaVolley Europe
• Nicole Nieves (USA) – general member
• Tatiana Ivanova (RUS)* – sitting volleyball representative
It is noticeable that six different countries are represented with an equal number of male and female athletes. The seventh member to be appointed by the Commission in the near future will be the Beach ParaVolley representative.
Rebelo was elected as Chair. As a result, he will automatically serve on the World ParaVolley Board of Directors. The Vice-Chair and the other representative of the Board (who must be a female), will be elected soon.
“It is with great honour that I receive this announcement. I want to thank all the candidates for your desire to develop ParaVolley in all its forms – it is really heartening,” said Rebelo.
World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner added: “I’m very pleased that the World ParaVolley athletes have demonstrated a high level of engagement in the election process and that the newly elected members of the Commission will be actively involved in providing information and feedback to the Board and Commissions of World ParaVolley on a variety of matters from the perspective of an athlete.”