World ParaVolley -WPV- has announced its first Sitting Volleyball Coach Mentoring Programme, scheduled to begin in 2026. This initiative, which represents the highest level of the federation’s educational pathway, aims to consolidate standards of excellence in the technical and methodological preparation of coaches worldwide.

The project has been created to connect emerging coaches with leading international figures, with the goal of raising the quality of high-performance training and strengthening a global culture of technical knowledge exchange. It forms part of WPV’s Level 3 educational structure, designed as the final and most prestigious step in the sitting volleyball coaching pathway.

The programme will feature six distinguished mentors: Nicole Ban (Canada), Fernando Guimarães (Brazil), Bill Hamiter (United States), Ifet Mahmutović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Hadi Rezaei (Iran) and Tu Weiping (Australia). Each has played a central role in the development and consolidation of sitting volleyball both in their home countries and internationally.

Coaches with Paralympic and world-level experience

Nicole Ban has led the Canadian women’s national team since 2015, guiding them to the nation’s first Paralympic medal in sitting volleyball with a bronze at Paris 2024. Fernando Guimarães has directed Brazil’s national teams since 2009, achieving gold with the women’s team and bronze with the men’s team at the 2022 World Championships, marking a historic double podium.

Bill Hamiter has coached the U.S. women’s national team to three consecutive Paralympic gold medals from Rio 2016 through Paris 2024, cementing the team’s dominance on the international stage. Ifet Mahmutović has led Bosnia and Herzegovina’s men’s team since 2021, securing the European Championship title in his debut year and reaching the World Championship final in 2022.

Historic figures and institutional leaders

Hadi Rezaei is recognized as a legendary figure in sitting volleyball, with three Paralympic gold medals as a player and four more as head coach of Iran’s national team. In 2024, he was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Iranian to receive this distinction.

Tu Weiping has served as coach, technical official and development director in the Asia-Oceania region since 1997, while also holding senior responsibilities within World ParaVolley. His contribution has been crucial in expanding the sport internationally.

Programme structure and entry requirements

The 12-month programme will be divided into four phases: initiation, development, practical implementation, and final assessment with certification. Mentors will provide one-on-one tutoring and group sessions on advanced coaching methodologies, alongside supervised practical activities.

Applications will open in November and the selection process will conclude in December. The registration fee is 300 euros, and up to 12 coaches will be admitted. Applicants must hold the World ParaVolley Level 2 Coaching qualification and demonstrate proven experience in leading national teams. Successful candidates will be awarded the Gold Coaching WPV Certificate of Achievement.