We’ve already highlighted the young talents of the year, as well as the coaches, male and female players in this edition of Volleymagazine. Now it’s time to shine the spotlight on the “Referee of the Year.” Even if Björn Willems would rather stay in the background—modest and soft-spoken, that’s where he feels most comfortable.

Björn Willems, tell us a bit about yourself—many readers are surely wondering: Who is he? What does he do? What drives him?
Björn Willems: “I live in Oostham, a sub-municipality of Ham, right on the border between Limburg and Antwerp. Balen is just a few kilometers away, and that’s already another province.

We’re a true volleyball family. I met my wife through volleyball—at a camp in Lombardsijde, to be exact. She played for Balen. We have four wonderful children, and they all play volleyball at Stalvoc. Our oldest, 17, recently became a referee himself. We’re pretty strict with each other. He critiques me when I’m officiating, and I do the same when he’s on the whistle. Watching him referee makes me more nervous than when I’m officiating myself.

I’m on the road a lot for refereeing, but also for work. I’m the general director of a healthcare group in Lommel, responsible for 350 staff across multiple care centers. Truthfully, I’m rarely at home, so it’s important to have a common interest. Shared passions help us balance our busy schedules and make family time even more meaningful.”

A high-level management job and high-level refereeing—a pretty unique combination.
“I’m originally from Maaseik. I sort of stumbled into volleyball. I played at Rotem (Dilsen), and honestly, I didn’t know the rules very well at first. As team captain, I often ended up arguing with the referee. When the club asked if anyone wanted to become a referee, I signed up. I figured that would help me argue with more authority! But I quickly realized that with my height, a pro volleyball career wasn’t likely, so I focused on refereeing instead. Just like my professional path to becoming director, it all grew gradually.”

Your modesty is admirable, but it’s fair to say you’ve built an impressive track record—with “Referee of the Year” as a recent highlight.
“I’ve made progress, that’s true. But I only got this far because of the great support I received—mentors, colleagues, and especially my family. That backing carried me forward.
In 2010, I took part in an international referee course in Romania alongside Koen Luts and Marika Boulanger. They both advanced to the FIVB level. I stayed at the CEV level, mainly due to my limited availability. My work doesn’t allow me to travel frequently for major international tournaments.

Still, I’ve had some unforgettable moments. One of the highlights was a CEV Cup match between Italian powerhouse Modena and Tours Volley from France. Suddenly, you’re on the court with global stars like Ngapeth, Brazilian setter Bruno, and Cuban-Brazilian attacker Leal—coached by Italian legend Andrea Giani. The Belgian Cup final between Caruur Gent and Lindemans Aalst also gave me a great feeling afterward. Moments like that stay with you.”

What makes a good referee, and how do you earn the respect of coaches and players?
“In my view, honesty, composure, and consistency are key. Being able to admit a mistake is important too—it highlights the human side of refereeing. That happened to me recently during the Belgian Cup semifinal. There’s bound to be disagreement sometimes. But when someone approaches the chair, I always say: ‘We’ll talk once you’ve calmed down.’ I think that’s more effective than immediately pulling out cards. That only fuels frustration. Calm authority, with a touch of empathy—that’s what matters. Understanding the game and the people in front of you. Those are useful qualities.

As head referee, you’re only as strong as your team. We have a WhatsApp group, and when I was named Referee of the Year, I got so many congratulations. I replied to everyone: ‘It’s thanks to all of you.’ When support comes from all corners, it builds trust—and yes, that ‘likeability factor’ can help. I truly enjoy doing this. I was surprised, happy, and a little proud to see my passion recognized. But I prefer to avoid too much fuss about it.”

You seem grounded and realistic—yet do any ambitions still linger?
“I’m 50 now, and as I mentioned, an FIVB career isn’t feasible due to time constraints. So no Olympics in Los Angeles or World Championships in the Philippines for me. That’s a pity, but I’m content with the path I’ve taken. I still savor the big moments, and I remain quite self-critical. That’s why I prepare thoroughly for every match. I also keep myself fit by running about 70 kilometers a week.

You know what matters most? The human side of it all. How you handle pressure, how you connect with players and coaches—that’s an ambition in itself. And for me, that’s enough. I prefer being in the background, without too much spotlight.”

Text: Walter Vereeck
Photos: Archive, Jan Vanmedegael