Jersey Volleyball Association founder inducted into Hall of Fame

Wednesday 01 May 2024

The founder of a local volleyball association has been nationally recognised for almost half a century of voluntary service to the sport.

Denis Le Breuilly, the founder of the Jersey Volleyball Association, has been recognised by the national governing body for volleyball.

Volleyball England inducted him into their Hall of Fame for his contributions as an International Referee and his work with the World ParaVolley International Referee Commission and at the Beijing Paralympics.

The Dr Don Anthony MBE Hall of Fame, named after the 'father' of British volleyball, aims to honour the success and achievements of volleyball players, referees and coaches at an international level.

Le Breuilly's induction ceremony took place during the Cup Finals Weekend 2024 last month.

Pictured: Denis Le Breuilly overseeing a sitting volleyball match at the Rio Olympics.

Mr Le Breuilly has devoted more than 45 years of voluntary service to various volleyball disciplines and over 30 years to volleyball for the physically impaired with World ParaVolley.

This is the only federation approved by the International Paralympic Committee to deliver volleyball for physically impaired athletes

During his service, he served as the Federation's Sport Director from 2010 to 2018, and was appointed by the IPC as Technical Delegate for Sitting Volleyball at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Le Breuilly recently announced his retirement from active duty with World ParaVolley.

He said: "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 added: "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."