November has been a standout month for Scottish Volleyball’s officials, with three of our top representatives showcasing their expertise in prestigious European competitions. Dave Cormie, John Swan, and Brian MacDougall have once again demonstrated their dedication and professionalism, continuing to elevate Scotland’s reputation on the international volleyball stage.
Dave Cormie: Commanding the Action in Switzerland and Turkey
Dave Cormie took charge as First Referee in two high-stakes matches during the CEV Cup. First, in Lausanne, Switzerland, he oversaw LAUSANNE UC’s clash with Draisma Dynamo APELDOORN. The Dutch visitors triumphed 3-1 (25-18, 18-25, 22-25, 24-26) in a tightly contested match.
Dave’s second appointment took him to Ankara, Turkey, where Ziraat Bank ANKARA hosted VaLePa SASTAMALA from Finland. The Turkish team secured a commanding 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-17) victory in front of a passionate home crowd.
Dave had two fantastic performances at the second-highest level in Europe and these appointments highlight Dave’s exceptional skills in officiating high-level volleyball and his consistent presence in the international arena.
John Swan: Supervising Excellence in Germany
Fresh from his role as Technical Delegate at the FIVB U17 World Championships in Sofia, John Swan returned to the CEV circuit as a Supervisor in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The hosts, VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, faced off against Mladost ZAGREB in a thrilling second-leg CEV Cup match. Friedrichshafen secured a dramatic 3-2 victory (21-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-20, 15-9) but fell short on aggregate after a 3-1 loss in Zagreb two weeks earlier.
This marks John’s third CEV appointment this year, following earlier events in the Faroe Islands and Zwolle, Netherlands. Reflecting on the experience, he praised the professionalism of the German hosts and the performances of referees Nuno Maia (Portugal) and Geir Vestbo (Norway). John’s extensive experience continues to make him a valuable asset to the volleyball community.
Brian MacDougall: Keeping Ship-Shape in Apeldoorn
Brian MacDougall was on the supervisory duties for the second leg of Dave Cormie’s Lausanne versus Apeldoorn tie, officiating the return match in the Netherlands. Draisma Dynamo APELDOORN overcame LAUSANNE UC with a hard-fought 3-2 win (25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-11). This victory secured Apeldoorn’s progression to the next round, where they will head to Cyprus for their next challenge.
Brian’s ability to handle the pressure of decisive matches underscores his place among Scotland’s elite officials, and his efforts continue to inspire others within the sport.
These appointments reflect the high regard in which Scottish officials are held across Europe both as Referees and as Supervisors, ensuring games are completely correctly and fairly. Dave, John, and Brian’s achievements reinforce Scottish Volleyball’s commitment to developing world-class officials capable of representing our nation at the highest level. If you’d like to take the next step in your journey, contact or as there’s a place for everyone in officiating!