Since first receiving support from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program in 2023, Romania has enhanced its volleyball activities. This includes acquiring experienced coaching staff and improving preparation for major competitions through more effective planning. The results are evident: the women`s team has reached the CEV Golden League Final Four for the second consecutive year, while the men`s team improved its international ranking compared to 2024. A significant achievement for Romania`s men`s team is their qualification for the 2025 FIVB Men`s World Championship.
Since 2023, the Romanian Volleyball Federation (FRV) has received substantial financial assistance. This includes $5,500 designated for Senoh volleyball nets and systems and $6,000 for Mikasa volleyballs. Coaching support has amounted to $30,000 to date, with an additional $12,000 provided for National Federation Sports Management and Administration.
Before the program commenced, Romania faced several significant challenges concerning coaching, infrastructure, and compliance. The federation highlighted issues such as a lack of resources to retain top-tier coaches, deficiencies in governance and marketing practices, and inadequate alignment with international standards.
Sever Burlacu, FRV Marketing Director, explained: “The federation lacked the financial resources to secure and retain top-level coaching staff for the senior national teams. This led to inconsistencies in training methodologies, strategic development, and long-term team planning, particularly for the men’s and women’s senior teams.”
Although the teams were already showing potential before the Empowerment program began, the support provided was crucial in transforming that potential into concrete performance. Romania had already started to improve its position in international rankings, with a new generation of talented athletes emerging in both national squads.
This consistent improvement culminated in a major milestone: the men’s national team qualified for the 2025 FIVB World Championship and entered the world’s top 20 rankings. Simultaneously, the women’s team reached the semifinals of the CEV Golden League for the second season in a row, demonstrating Romania`s steady progress on the European volleyball scene.
The inclusion of coaches supported by the Empowerment program was instrumental in strengthening Romania`s strategic planning, refining the team`s identity, and boosting their competitiveness on the international stage.
FRV President Adin Cojocaru commented on the broader positive influence of the program on Romanian volleyball.
Adin Cojocaru stated: “The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme has been a game-changer for Romanian volleyball. It provided us with critical resources, not only financial support, to secure top coaching talent but also invaluable knowledge and guidance that helped modernise our federation’s structure and approach. Thanks to this partnership, we have seen real progress on and off the court, with our teams achieving historic results and building a sustainable foundation for future success. We are deeply grateful for FIVB’s commitment to empowering national federations like ours.”
Both national teams have adopted more sophisticated tactical systems, characterized by clearer planning, enhanced analysis of opponents, and improved decision-making abilities under pressure.
Speaking about the men`s team performance, Sever Burlacu noted: “The men’s national team’s recent Golden League campaign helped us secure five wins out of six matches and finished in 4th place, tied in points with Finland. The final standings were determined by sets won, and only the host nation, Czechia, advanced to the semifinals, underscoring how closely Romania contended for a top spot.”
For the women`s side, consistent high-level training under stable coaching leadership has fostered player development and strategic advancement, enabling the team to compete with greater confidence in European competitions.
The federation also benefited from internal reforms facilitated by the Empowerment initiative.
With support for knowledge transfer, the federation improved its operational systems, including marketing and governance. This brought them into alignment with FIVB and CEV standards and promoted a more professional internal environment.
The program`s positive effects extended beyond the federation to local clubs. These clubs gained valuable knowledge that helped them enhance fan engagement, attract sponsors, and contribute to community development, thereby strengthening the overall volleyball ecosystem across the nation.
To ensure that the improvements in coaching, regulations, and marketing resulted in tangible progress, the FRV aligned all Empowerment-supported activities with its strategic plan spanning from 2023 to 2032.
This alignment was supported by coordination with national partners, logistical assistance for key projects, and investment in developing talent and creating competitive opportunities – all integral components of a national strategy focused on long-term growth.
Preparation for future events is already actively underway.
Sever Burlacu explained the preparation strategy: “The Romanian national teams are adopting a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to preparation, combining high-level coaching, advanced training methods, and strategic competition planning. Training camps, video analysis, and international friendlies are regularly organised to simulate high-pressure match conditions and sharpen game strategies.”
Their future ambition is to establish themselves as consistent contenders in both European and major international competitions.
Burlacu added about future goals: “A key long-term objective is to qualify regularly for major tournaments, including the World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, ensuring Romanian volleyball continues its upward trajectory on the global stage.”
For the National Federation, the lasting value of the program lies in the improved system it has helped create.
Adin Cojocaru concluded: “The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme laid a solid foundation for sustained excellence at all levels of Romanian volleyball. Ultimately, this holistic approach ensures a thriving volleyball culture in Romania, capable of producing future generations of elite athletes and expanding the sport’s reach and popularity nationwide.”
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood