One of the goals from the IBVPA is to create strong communication channels between the athletes, the FIVB, the promoters and potential sponsors. As a result, we have formed a board with athletes from across the globe, each designated to different departments in the association, heavily supported by IBVPA’s lawyer, Vassilios Koutsogiannakis. We are always looking for members to assist IBVPA support groups so if there is a department that suits you, send us an email to office@ibvpa.org.
Kasia Kociolek is the main contact for you as a player. Should you have any question, contact her directly and she will direct you to the right person to help you with your question or problem. Should you have any questions about administrational matters, please contact Marco Back (office@ibvpa.org). We have also listed all the members that have joined, whose support is the foundation of the association. See below for the entire list of athletes.
Board Member
Anouk Vergé-Dépré (1992)
President
Anouk won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has been competing on the International Tour for 10 years. She is an European Champion, 2x Olympian, 3x Swiss MVP, multiple Swiss Champion and world tour medal winner.
As the IBVPA co-founder, she’s committed to help beach volleyball reach its full potential and create the foundation to better market one of the best sport products worldwide.
Alexander Brouwer (1989)
Vice-President
Alex is a former World Champion and Olympic Bronze medalist with more than 10 years of World Tour experience under his belt. After being an IBVPA member for 4 years, he was elected as Vice-President in 2022. Alex wanted to have more of an active role in taking the sport to the next level.
Vassilios Koutsogiannakis
Legal Counsel
After studying law at the University of Zurich, Vassilios worked at a small law firm in Zurich and wrote his PhD thesis in international sports and employment law addressing the issue of the termination of employment contracts in international ice hockey. As head of sports law at Ernst & Young Zurich he’s a very successful lawyer today. Since a young age Vassilios has been active in beach volleyball as an amateur player and coach. He’s committed to work for the IBVPA because now he can combine his passion with his legal profession. Vassilios speaks fluent English, French, Italian, German and Greek.
Kasia Kociolek (1995)
Operation & Information
Kasia is the reigning Polish Champion and the 2019 European vice-champion. She has been on the Polish National Team for 12 years and competing on the Beach Pro Tour for 6 years. She is responsible for the IBVPA Operations & Communication due to her passion for helping athlete relations and the main contact for the players. Kasia is passionate about growing the sport and wants to highlight the immense potential the sport has if the athletes are united.
Melissa Humana-Paredes (1992)
Public Relations
Melissa is a 2020 Olympian, World and Commonwealth Games Champion and has been competing on the Beach Pro Tour for 8 years. As a member of both the Canadian Olympic & PanAm Sports Athletes Commissions, Melissa has gained insight into the structure of sport systems & resources to help inform the direction of beach volleyball. Melissa joined the IBVPA to be around like-minded volley pros in the hopes to uncover the sport’s untapped potential.
Marco Back (1997)
Finance & Administration
Marco’s great passion is volleyball. For two years he has been working as a volleyball coach at the Volleyball Academy Zurich, where he also leads the administration. Marco used to play beach volleyball. As a Highlight he was able to participate in the U18 Beach Volleyball European Championship in Kristiansand, which he finished in 5th place.
He’s committed to work for the IBVPA to create a better working situation for all beachvolleyball players and to lead a correct administration for the IBVPA.