Volleyball Foundation
The Foundation uses the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact
The Volleyball Foundation proudly joins the FIVB, Volleyball World and the global sporting community in celebrating the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), a day dedicated to showcasing the power of sport to drive social change, facilitate inclusion and build stronger communities worldwide.
Volleyball has long been a unifying force, transcending borders, cultures and backgrounds to bring people together. Since its launch in May 2024, the Volleyball Foundation has used the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact.
One of the Foundation’s first major initiatives took place in Thailand, where, in collaboration with the Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA), it hosted a mass participation event during the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 Women’s Finals in Bangkok. Hundreds of children were given the chance to take part in a unique, immersive volleyball experience, called ‘Green Volleyball’ – a combination of volleyball and rice planting designed to promote sustainable farming practices. The participants also had the opportunity to play and train with volleyball legends, such as Feng Kun, Elizaveta Bracht, Nootsara Tomkom, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Amorntep Konhan.
In India, the Volleyball Foundation partnered with the Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL), a grassroots initiative in Assam that has introduced volleyball to over 10,000 children, giving them access to structured training, equipment and the opportunity to develop crucial life skills. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the Volleyball Foundation has supported the Githurai Kimbo Volleyball Academy, which offers not only volleyball training but also educational support and mentorship. These projects are a testament to the power of volleyball in transforming lives beyond the court.
The Foundation’s impact was further evident in October 2024, when it hosted the KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival in Bhubaneswar, India. The festival was an extraordinary celebration of volleyball, drawing over 40,000 children, including 5,000 players, for a weekend of training, competition and community events. The event made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most players in a volleyball exhibition match, with 430 participants coming together in a single game – surpassing the previous record by an impressive 136 players. The scale and success of the event demonstrated volleyball’s ability to unite communities through sport.
Later that year, in Doha, Qatar, the Foundation hosted a volleyball activation event at Al Gharafa Beach Complex, for children from schools across Qatar. This was in collaboration with the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), Qatar Foundation, and the West Asian Volleyball Association (WAVA). The event offered a unique opportunity for the young participants to engage in exciting volleyball activities across 10 courts and interact with some of the most iconic figures in volleyball. These included Olympians and Volleyball Foundation ambassadors Louise Bawden, Doaa Elghobashy, Elizaveta Bracht, Ahmed Tijan, Cherif Younousse, Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova.
The Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça F° emphasised the importance of ensuring volleyball has a positive impact at all levels, stating:
“Sport has the power to unite communities and drive meaningful, positive change. On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, we celebrate the role of volleyball in encouraging inclusion and creating opportunities for people around the world. The Volleyball Foundation supports innovative and impactful projects that use volleyball to break down barriers, bring people together and ensure that more individuals have the chance to experience the joy of the sport.”
Reflecting on the impact of volleyball following the BVL Finals in India in January 2025, FIVB President and Volleyball Foundation Vice President Fabio Azevedo stated at the time:
“At the heart of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 is that every single player, young person, athlete and fan counts. Fans and athletes must always be at the centre of all our actions. That is exactly what I have seen here at the BVL Finals. Volleyball has the power to bring people together and make the world a better place. I have never been more certain of that following everything I have seen and experienced over the past few days.”
