The Next Big Thing in Volleyball: Amélie Rotar
Feature
Amélie Rotar - a name that European Volleyball fans might better take a note of, s, as the French international is slowly but constantly paving her path to Elite Volleyball.
As part of the French women’s national team, Amélie just won the Gold at the Golden #EuroLeagueW. Тogether with teammates Lucille Gicquel and Héléna Cazaute, she was dominating on the courts throughout the whole competition (3.8 points/average per set) - as France triumphed without a single loss, leaving no doubts over who was the best team.
Rotar now has new challenges ahead of herself - first, the FIVB Challenger Cup, where France will try their luck to take a ticket to VNL, and then, on a club level, she will be joining the popular French club - Béziers Volley. The 188 cm tall opposite will change her role to…outside spiker, but whatever lies ahead of Amélie, make sure to keep an eye on her, as she might be France’s Next Big Thing in Volleyball.
The Beginning
Volleyball runs in the veins of Amelie’s family. Daughter of professional Volleyball players (her father was a Romanian international Volleyball player and her mother was competing on the same level as well), Rotar is logically bound to the sport.
Amélie Rotar“I started with Volleyball at the age of 10. I tried a few sports before fully getting into Volleyball, but this sport was an evidence for me.”
Going Pro
Three years later, the player of the French national team decided to leave her family, and go to boarding school to follow sports studies with the club of Venelles. The dream of becoming a professional player is born precisely in this period of her life.
“Since I was 13 years old, my dream was to become a professional player. I spent several years at different locations before returning to my training club for my first two years as a professional player,” Amélie says.
The Golden #EuroLeagueW success
In June, Amélie and her teammates in the national team, achieved a great result, winning the Gold at the EuroLeagueW. To the young opposite, this triumph means a lot, as she considers that this might be just the beginning for the French team, who are still making daily progress in their work on the field.
Amélie Rotar“This title represents a great pride for us all. And that reflects the work we have been producing for two years now. I think we started to "reveal" ourselves last summer during the #EuroVolleyW in Belgrade. This medal now shows that we are still making progress. However, we are doing things step by step.”
The next goal for Amélie and her teammates is the FIVB Challenger Cup.
“It's going to be a new challenge for us, a good, unknown one, since we are going to meet some teams we have never played against.”
Joining Béziers Volley
From season 2022/2023, Amélie will be playing for the French Béziers Volley, who last year played in the #CLVolleyW. The club welcomed Amélie just some days ago, and she is excited to be joining them, starting on a new position as an outside hitter.
“I just spent two beautiful years in Pays Aix Venelles VB. It is time for me to change the air with new goals. Béziers is a club that, apart from this year, has always had good results. I can't wait to start with them, and to develop on my new position.”
The Inspiration
Although Amélie says she doesn't have any specific Volleyball idols, as she admires a lot of players, she looks up to two of the best athletes in the sport in our decade - Gabi and Tijana Boskovic.
Amélie Rotar“Gabi is an absolutely complete player. She is not very tall, but when she has the ball in her hand, she knows how to do everything. I also admire Tijana Boskovic a lot - for her height, for her spiking power, and I am glad to have had the chance to play against her at the 2021 #EuroVolleyW.”
The Dream
The 21-year-old is dreaming of the Olympics. However, she is aiming not only at participating there, but at receiving playing time on the field.
“Participating in it is a wonderful thing, but to be on the field and playing at this planetary event would be a big pride for me.”
Beach Volleyball and Family
And while Amélie is rocking in the world of Indoor Volleyball, another family member is successfully dominating in the field of Beach Volleyball, becoming U19 world champion in December 2021. Teo Rotar is one of the greatest joys of Amélie.
Amélie Rotar“Teo decided to play Beach Volleyball because he felt that he would feel good there. He has found a partner with whom he gets along very well on and off the pitch - Arthur Canet. Both wrote the history of French Beach Volleyball, becoming a World champ. It is only pride for me to see that. He is young, and I know that he can still achieve great and beautiful things.”