VolleyBar23# : Wednesday June 17, 2026

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The news of the day is that FIVB has sanctioned three national team coaches following separate disciplinary incidents during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League.
China men’s head coach Vital Heynen received a formal warning after the sport’s governing body found he used offensive language during a post-match interview following China’s match against Slovenia on June 10, while Canada women’s coach Giovanni Guidetti was fined CHF 1,500 for his conduct in response to a decision during Canada’s VNL match against Japan on June 7, and he was also issued a formal warning.
In a separate case, Brazil women’s coach José Roberto Guimarães was handed a one-match suspension for misconduct toward another member of the volleyball community. The suspension will take effect during Brazil’s next Women’s VNL match.
According to the FIVB, all three cases involved violations of Article 8.3 of its Disciplinary Regulations, and the federation said they have been reminded of their responsibility to uphold professional standards during international competitions.
The disciplinary rulings are final and cannot be appealed, adding that the cases were processed on an expedited basis due to their in-competition nature.

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In Poland, Bartłomiej Bołądź remains to defending champions Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie.
His first season with the club was the best of his career so far, as he finished it as a Polish champion, a CEV Champions League runner-up, and a bronze medalist at the FIVB Club World Championship.

“I am very happy that I will continue to be part of the Zawiercie team next season. I feel that the club wants to keep developing in every aspect of its operations. I believe that under coach Michał Winiarski we will take another step forward and win even more medals,” he said.

Another contract extension has been confirmed by Asseco Resovia Rzeszów, with outside hitter Artur Szalpuk staying at the club, while Patryk Niemiec has parted ways with Cuprum Stilon Gorzów. The middle blocker joined the team on June 13, 2025, and represented the Gorzów club throughout the most recent PlusLiga season.

Meanwhile, opposite hitter Damian Domagała, 28, will spend his sixth season with GKS Katowice. He has played a total of 161 matches in the club’s colors. Before joining GKS Katowice, he played for Italy’s Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia as well as Cuprum Lubin and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów. During the 2025/26 season, he earned three MVP awards and repeatedly proved to be a key player for the team, especially in the most demanding moments of matches.

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In France, Saint-Nazaire is delighted to welcome Bennie Tuinstra for the new season. The 25-year-old Dutch international has played for major clubs such as Ziraat Bank Ankara and Lublin, winning both the Turkish and Polish championships. A complete outside hitter standing 2 meters tall, he is also familiar with the French Ligue A, having played for Tourcoing at the beginning of his professional career.

Spacer’s Toulouse has also announced the signing of young libero Guillaume Respaut. Joining from France Avenir, he was a U19 World Champion in 2025 and a U18 European Champion in 2024.

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In Spain, Guaguas Las Palmas welcomed Willner Enrique Rivas Quijada. The Venezuelan international outside hitter will arrive in Gran Canaria in August to further strengthen the reigning Superliga champions as they prepare to compete in up to four different competitions next season from French side Narbonne.

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In Italy, Allianz Milano has confirmed young middle blocker Alessandro Benacchio, while relegated side Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina has unveiled its first signing for next season: outside hitter Oreste Cavuto, who spent the previous campaign in Serie A2 with Brescia.

Meanwhile, Marko Podraščanin has been appointed the new sporting director of Cucine Lube Civitanova.
For the former Serbian middle blocker, born in 1987, a new and prestigious chapter now begins. After an outstanding playing career, Podraščanin is embarking on his first experience in a management role.
It was Lube that first brought him to the Italian league back in 2007, when he was just 20 years old, recognizing the talent, personality, and potential of the young middle blocker. Now his journey continues in a different role, but with the same sense of belonging.

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In Japan, Taishi Onodera has officially been named captain of Suntory Sunbirds for the 2026–27 season.

“I am truly honored to be entrusted with the role of captain for the Sunbirds, a team with such a proud history. I hope to bring our diverse and talented group together in my own way.
To overcome the disappointment of last season’s finals defeat, I will fight alongside the players, staff, and all Sunbirds fans as one team. We sincerely appreciate your continued passionate support this season as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wolfdogs Nagoya has officially announced that Kento Miyaura has signed a contract extension with the club.

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