It is with great sadness and shock that World ParaVolley received the news of the passing of Charmaine Hooper, World Abilitysport Chief Executive Officer and Executive Board member of APSO, the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations. Charmaine passed away suddenly in the early hours of Friday, 6 February.
Charmaine worked closely at forging ties with World ParaVolley in the development of Memorandums of Understanding first with IWAS, then with World Abilitysport.
Charmaine’s passing is a great loss for the Paralympic Movement – and accolades have been shared widely, illustrating the positive impact that Charmaine had across Para sport. Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, referred to her as “an absolute powerhouse, tremendously popular, and a role model for many within the Paralympic Movement” and as a “fearless and highly effective female sports leader who balanced an immense sense of purpose with a fantastic sense of humour”.
Juergen Schrapp, World ParaVolley President, and Elvira Stinissen, World ParaVolley Vice-President, communally lauded Charmaine: “Charmaine was an extraordinary woman. A woman with great knowledge and passion for sport for people with disabilities. She was a role model for female leaders in sport. We are so grateful to have worked with her. She led by example and was always willing to share her knowledge. In a direct, yet always respectful way. She will be deeply missed.”
The entire World ParaVolley family extends its heartfelt condolences at this difficult time to her family, friends, colleagues, and to all who had the good fortune of knowing her.
People can share their condolences and memories of Charmaine in an online condolences book.
IPC mourns passing of Charmaine Hooper
World Abilitysport announces sudden passing of CEO Charmaine Hooper