Lausanne, Switzerland, July 26, 2010 – A brand new section of the FIVB website, specifically designed for referees, was launched by the Volleyball governing body on Monday as part of a new initiative to provide referees across the globe with the most up-to-date information available on officiating and rules.

The new area of the site, accessible from the FIVB's home page at www.fivb.org, provides teaching material for referees as well as a database with information about international and FIVB officials. This database also allows National Federations to register and update profile information about referees securely.

"This new area of the website should help accommodate FIVB and international referees more," FIVB Vice-Director Volleyball Events Ms. Gabrielle Van Zwieten said. "The options now available and resources that are on the site far surpass anything we have done before and illustrates that the FIVB is really looking towards the future. We want to be able to interact with referees so we can then make improvements that help the sport progress."

Guidelines, official forms and courses provided by the FIVB are also easily located in the new area as well as the most recent versions of the official rules and regulations for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball and hand signals to use in matches.