After a long and successful career, Red Dragon Pieter Coolman will say goodbye to top-level volleyball at the end of this season. With that, one of the most consistent and respected Belgian middle blockers of recent years is leaving the highest level.

Coolman grew into a key figure in Belgian volleyball, both with his clubs and with the national team. For the Red Dragons, he played a total of 101 official matches. With the national team, he was part of several campaigns and also won gold in the European Golden League in 2013.

His path in club volleyball began at Rembert Torhout, after which he rose to the absolute top via Prefaxis Menen. Since the 2012/13 season, he has defended the colours of Knack Volley Roeselare, where he grew into one of the figureheads of the team and of the Belgian league.

In Roeselare, Coolman built up an exceptional list of honours. He collected, among other things, ten league titles, ten Belgian Cups, six Belgian Supercups, two BeNe Cups and a BeNe Conference title. He also made his mark on the European stage with medals in the CEV Cup and the Challenge Cup.

In addition to his collective trophies, Coolman also regularly received individual awards. He was crowned several times as best middle blocker and best blocker in the Belgian league.

With his experience, leadership and consistent level, Pieter Coolman was for many years an important link in every team he played for. His name remains linked to a generation that helped shape Belgian men’s volleyball, both nationally and internationally.

Topvolley Belgium and the Red Dragons would like to thank Pieter Coolman for his many years of commitment, professionalism and contribution to Belgian volleyball. We wish him every success in the next chapter.