Volleyball England announced on 7 October that Greg Thompson and Jeff Brehaut will take senior World ParaVolley roles in standing volleyball, with the two England officials taking responsibility for refereeing, rules and event management respectively. Volleyball England reported that Thompson will lead both the Refereeing Commission (Standing) and Rules of the Game Commission (Standing), while Brehaut will head the Event Management Commission (Standing).
The appointments place the pair within the leadership structure for World ParaVolley’s standing volleyball work. They will report to David Cox of Norway, the organisation’s Assistant Sport Director with overall responsibility for World ParaVolley Standing Volleyball. Australia’s Baz Wedmaier has been named Head of the Technical Commission (Standing), completing the four commission leadership positions identified by Volleyball England.
For readers following the practical significance, Thompson will head two commissions, covering refereeing and the rules of the game, while Brehaut will head the Event Management Commission (Standing). Volleyball England said the appointments would see them oversee Beach ParaVolley Standing and indoor volleyball standing.
Thompson given refereeing and rules brief
Thompson said he regarded the combined refereeing and rules appointments as an honour, explaining that the two areas naturally worked closely together. He said he wanted to use his experience to support the continued development of Beach ParaVolley Standing and to raise its international profile.
His stated priorities arrive ahead of a specific event on the calendar: the Beach ParaVolley World Championships are scheduled for May 2027. Thompson said that tournament was on the horizon as he began the role, and that he aimed to contribute to the sport’s future development.
The twin appointment is notable because Thompson will head two related commission areas. The announcement sets out the commission posts and Thompson’s stated priorities. The immediate outcome described in the report is the allocation of those leadership responsibilities.
Brehaut focuses on events and growth
Brehaut said he was excited to become Head of Events for ParaVolley Standing. He said the appointment was mainly focused on Beach ParaVolley Standing and that he hoped to apply his experience to help develop that area of the sport.
He also referred to an application for Beach ParaVolley Standing to be included at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics. Brehaut said the sport needed to grow and demonstrate its appeal in relation to that application.
According to Brehaut, World ParaVolley has put its focus on sitting indoor volleyball and Beach ParaVolley Standing. He said the challenge for the standing game would be to ensure zones and federations supported its development and established their own plans to spread it more widely.
England representation on the world stage
Volleyball England chief executive Charlie Ford said the appointments recognised the pair’s knowledge, experience and long-term commitment to the sport. He described them as evidence of English athletes, coaches, officials and leaders making an increasing impact internationally.
Ford said the significance went beyond representation, arguing that the roles offered an opportunity to influence and contribute to volleyball’s future direction globally. That assessment is an organisational view, but the structure announced by Volleyball England supports the underlying point: Thompson and Brehaut will head named commissions.
The appointments therefore give England two senior representatives in the standing volleyball structure, with clearly separate responsibilities. Thompson’s work will span rules and refereeing, while Brehaut’s will focus on events, as World ParaVolley continues its stated development of Beach ParaVolley Standing.