There are stages in the life of a volleyball club that redefine standards, recalibrate ambitions and leave a permanent mark on every athlete who passes through the gym. The sporting year that has just ended was exactly such a masterful chapter – more than 400 days in which we had the honour, privilege and joy of working alongside an accomplished coach, an exceptional tactician and, above all, a complete mentor: BRANKO GAJIĆ!
However hard the moment of parting, we look back with huge pride. Today we officially announce the end of this journey together and wish him every success in his new professional challenge: taking over the bench at one of the giants of Romanian volleyball, CSM Bucharest!
A year worth a decade: polishing diamonds and a culture of professional work
When he first walked into our training gym, he brought not only an impressive tactical background and a modern vision of the game, but a whole philosophy of sporting life. In just 12 months our court became a true stage for performance, where every detail was analysed, every movement patiently corrected and every pass or block turned into a lesson in craftsmanship.
It was a year of titanic work. A year in which he turned raw talent into certainty, gave confidence to the youngest players – as seen in this season’s spectacular rises – and forged a group able to compete on equal terms with any opponent.
The legacy left on court: high standards and memorable moments
Looking back at this year together, we see a rich legacy that our club will keep as an unshakeable foundation. Together we lived matches with huge emotional weight, spectacular comebacks, unleashed joy at the net and moments when his advice from the sideline completely changed the fate of games that seemed lost. He was the coach who knew exactly when to demand maximum rigour and when to offer a warm word of encouragement. He taught the girls what resilience means, how to handle the pressure of decisive moments and how to walk on court with their heads held high, whatever the opponent’s name. The work culture and discipline he instilled in every training session remain our group’s most precious gain.
A spectacular record: historic results in a single season
His ambition and rigour were reflected directly on the scoreboard and in the progress of every age group. In a single year of intense work, the results exceeded all expectations and wrote golden pages in our club’s history:
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3 out of 3 in the semi-final tournaments: all three of the club’s women’s teams in competition qualified for the Semi-final Tournaments, undeniable proof of the consistency and overall quality built at every level.
- U15 team in the national top 8: our young players had a memorable run, qualifying for the Final Tournament and finishing the season among the 8 best teams in the country.
- International debut at the Cornacchia World Cup: in our first participation in one of the most prestigious international youth competitions in the world, our team finished in the top half of the standings, standing out for courage, organisation and quality volleyball against specialised academies from all over the globe.
A great coach is measured not only by the wins on the scoreboard, but by the level to which he raises his athletes and the legacy of performance he leaves behind
The fact that his path now leads him to CSM Bucharest, a top team with big ambitions for the title and on the European stage, is a natural confirmation of his undeniable value. Although goodbyes are always bittersweet, it is a huge satisfaction for our club to know that a coach who gave so much to our team is now stepping up to the highest level.
This appointment is undeniable proof that work well done, dedication and professionalism never go unnoticed. CSM Bucharest gains not just a classy coach, but a true leader who knows how to build successful teams and bring out the best in every player.
From the heart, for our coach and mentor
They say people forget much of what we say, but they never forget how we made them feel. And you made us feel capable of moving mountains. On behalf of all the parents who entrusted you with what they hold most dear and, above all, on behalf of the girls who looked at you every day with admiring eyes, we say a simple but deep: thank you with all our hearts!
Thank you for leaving a piece of your heart on our court. Thank you for seeing the light, talent and strength in every child, even when they didn’t believe in themselves.
You taught us to love volleyball more, to be a real family and to walk through life with our heads held high. You are leaving for CSM Bucharest, but you leave behind an indelible mark, a legacy of love and respect that will remain in our gym forever.
We wish you that your new road is filled with results worthy of your huge heart, with trophies you lift with the same pure joy you showed us. We are not just a team, we are also a home. A home whose door will always be open and where there will always be joy when you walk in.
A natural step towards the volleyball elite: thank you and good luck at CSM Bucharest!
The fact that his path now leads him to CSM Bucharest, a top team with big ambitions for the title and on the European stage, is a natural confirmation of his undeniable value. Although goodbyes are always bittersweet, it is a huge satisfaction for our club to know that a coach who gave so much to our team is now stepping up to the highest level.
This appointment is undeniable proof that work well done, dedication and professionalism never go unnoticed. CSM Bucharest gains not just a classy coach, but a true leader who knows how to build successful teams and bring out the best in every player.
