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]

Career as coach

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

As a coach

Individual awards

State awards

References

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