Roland Schwab new head coach of Austrian women’s national team
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Roland Schwab, who has helped LINZ-STEG Steelvolleys claim national league and national cup honours as many as three times since 2016, will be leading the Austrian women’s national team at the EuroVolley 2023 qualifiers scheduled for the late summer of this year. The 38-year-old replaces Jan De Brandt at the helm of the team – after the Austrian Volleyball Federation (ÖVV) decided not to extend the contract of the Belgian-born coach.
Gernot Leitner“Roland Schwab’s commitment has become apparent. Thanks to his success in club volleyball, he became an increasingly hot candidate for this position."
ÖVV President
Schwab was De Brandt’s assistant and most recently, he coached the Austrian women’s junior national team. He is the first Austrian to coach the national team after three foreigners in a row held the position – with Zuzana Pecha-Tlstovičova followed by Svetlana Ilic and Jan De Brandt.
Schwab was able to gain a lot of experience as co-trainer of the national team and ÖVV junior head coach. "This means that he knows the system very well,” added Leitner. Schwab has dedicated his life to Volleyball and has very good access to the players. “I think we found the right guy in him and of course I hope that he will take the national team to the next level. I wish him all the best,” Leitner concluded.
For ÖVV Sports Director Gottfried Rath-Zobernig, too, the promotion of Roland Schwab to women’s team boss is the logical step. “He deserved this chance. We want to promote players in the ÖVV, but of course Austrian coaches as well. I think that the time has come for Roland to take on this position,” said Rath-Zobernig.
The newly appointed head coach is obviously very much looking forward to the challenge.
Roland Schwab“I cannot imagine anything more beautiful and bigger as taking my next career step as a coach in this way. I think that the ÖVV succeeded a few years ago in finding the right people for their project to develop the women’s national team. I see a lot of potential in the players and in the team. I want to do everything to develop this further. The big goal is of course to qualify for the European Championship!”
Newly appointed head coach of the Austrian women's national team
Austria’s journey in the EuroVolley 2023 qualifiers will start on August 21, some three weeks after the men’s national team are due to start their own campaign for a spot among Europe’s Volleyball elite.