Today is a very special day for our whole club community! We celebrate Papu – Raluca Bucur Cocoș, one of our core coaches, a person with a huge passion for the net and a perfect example of loyalty, professionalism and sporting dedication.
For our girls, Raluca is more than a coach: she is the mentor who knows exactly what a player goes through at every stage of her development, because she lived and breathed high-performance volleyball at the highest level.
More than a decade among volleyball’s elite
Born on 20 August 1985, Raluca was for years one of the most consistent and determined opposite hitters. With an imposing presence at the net (177 cm) and a stunning left arm and attack, she wrote history in Romanian volleyball.
Her career remains closely tied to CS Universitatea Cluj, where she was a true emblem for a decade (2011–2021). She was the heart of the Cluj team in its hardest and most spectacular moments – through successive promotions, fierce battles in Division A1, decisive Romanian Cup matches and promotion tournaments. The loyalty and determination with which she wore the black-and-white shirt year after year made her a symbol of dedication.
Her path also includes a strong season at SCM Craiova (2009/10) and prestigious international experience in Serbia with Dinamo Pančevo (2010/11), where she played in the Serbian Superliga, the Serbian Cup and on the European stage in the CEV Challenge Cup.
From the court to the sideline: heartfelt mentoring for future generations
Today, all the experience gained in tough A1 battles and European cups shows in every practice Raluca leads. Our children and young players have the rare chance to be guided by a former team leader, a coach who combines tactical rigour with special warmth.
Raluca teaches young players not only attacking or reception technique, but also the values she embodied throughout her career: perseverance, respect for the team and the will never to give up, whatever the score on the board.
Great coaches aren’t born from theory alone, but from thousands of hours on court, from wins lived at full intensity and from the pure desire to pass on a love of the game. Papu, we want you to be GREAT!
From the court to the sideline: heartfelt mentoring for future generations
The move from key player to coach was a natural step for Raluca. All the experience gained under the pressure of European matches and fierce A1 duels now shows in every training session she leads. Our children and young players have the rare chance to be guided by a former team leader, a coach who combines tactical rigour with special warmth.
Her way of working combines tactical discipline with rare human warmth. Raluca doesn’t just teach the girls the technical secrets of the down-the-line attack or the team block – she shapes their character. She teaches them what team spirit means, how to get over a mistake without losing confidence and how important discipline is to reach your full potential.
Raluca teaches young players not only attacking or reception technique, but also the values she embodied throughout her career: perseverance, respect for the team and the will never to give up, whatever the score on the board.
Our wishes for Papu
Dear Raluca,
We wish you a warm “Happy birthday!”, full of health, boundless joy and fulfilment in every way! Thank you for the endless energy, patience and passion you put every day into developing new generations of volleyball players.
We wish you a wonderful new year, with huge satisfaction at our club, spectacular matches and many big wins celebrated at the net with our girls! Always stay the same inspiring, strong and dedicated person!
