Philippe Georges Antoine Blain (born 20 May 1960) is a French professional volleyball coach and former player. He was a member of the France national team from 1984 to 1987 and a participant in the Olympic Games Seoul 1988. Blain serves as head coach for Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers. He also acted as Secretary of FIVB Technical & Coaching commission.[1]

Philippe Blain
Personal information
Full namePhilippe Georges Antoine Blain
Born (1960-05-20) 20 May 1960 (age 64)
Montpellier, France
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Coaching information
Current teamCheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers
Previous teams coached
YearsTeams
1991–1993
1994–2000
2000–2001
2001–2012
2013–2015
2013–2016
2016–2017
2017–2021
2021–2024
2024–
Piemonte Volley
AS Cannes
Arago de Sète
France
Montpellier Volley
Poland (AC)
Skra Bełchatów
Japan (AC)
Japan
Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Career
YearsTeams
1980–1985
1986–1989
1989–1990
Montpellier Volley
Montpellier Volley
Piemonte Volley
National team
1980–1991 France (340)
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  France
CEV European Championship
Silver medal – second place 1987 Belgium
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Netherlands
Head coach  France
FIVB World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Argentina
FIVB World League
Silver medal – second place 2006 Moscow
CEV European Championship
Silver medal – second place 2009 Turkey
Head coach  Japan
FIVB Nations League
Silver medal – second place 2024 Łódź
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Gdańsk
AVC Asian Championship
Gold medal – first place 2023 Iran

Career as coach

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Since 1998 he has coached in France, first at AS Cannes, then, since 2000, at Arago de Sète. Starting from 2001 he was a head coach of the France men's national volleyball team.

In 2013 he was announced as new assistant coach to new coach Stephane Antiga. They have been working with Poland men's national volleyball team. On September 21, 2014 Poland won a title of World Champion 2014.[2][3][4] On October 27, 2014 he received a state award granted by the Polish President Bronisław KomorowskiGold Cross of Merit for outstanding contribution to the development of Polish sport.[5]

On 29 March 2016, he signed a contract with PGE Skra Bełchatów and replaced the previous head coach, Miguel Angel Falasca.[6]

Blain coached the Japanese men's national volleyball team since 2017, first as an assistant coach and then as head coach from 2022 onwards. Under his guidance, Japan would qualify for two Olympics: the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the host nation and the 2024 Paris Olympics through the qualifying matches of 2023. Following the 2024 Olympics, Blain announced his departure from the team.[7][8]

Honours

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As a coach

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Individual awards

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State awards

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References

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  1. ^ "FIVB Technical & Coaching Commission". www.fivb.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ^ Poland win second World Championship title at home – fivb.org – 21-09-2014
  3. ^ Poland put an end to the reign of Brazil – fivb.org – 21-09-2014
  4. ^ FIVB MŚ Polska 2014: Polska ze złotym medalem – plusliga.pl – 21-09-2014
  5. ^ "Dziękuję za chwile wzruszenia i dumy" Archived 2014-10-27 at the Wayback Machine – prezydent.pl – 27-10-2014
  6. ^ Mistrz Świata poprowadzi PGE Skrę – 29-03-2016
  7. ^ Takahara, Kanako. "Heartbreak for Japan's volleyball team after narrow loss to Italy". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  8. ^ Lee, Bomi. "일본 대표팀과 계약 종료...블랑 감독 "2023년과 2024년은 더욱 특별한 해였다"". thespike.co.kr.
  9. ^ Postanowienie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 23 października 2014 r. o nadaniu orderów i odznaczeń – isap.sejm.gov.pl – 23-10-2014
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