FIVB FoundationVolleyball Foundation
The Volleyball Foundation reinforced its aim to connect, serve and inspire global communities through volleyball
The FIVB Volleyball Foundation proudly supported the Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL) in sending its Season 5 U12 and U16 girls’ champion teams from Assam to participate in the Kanya Kiran “Girl Sunshine” Mass Participation Programme. The initiative was launched in Bhubaneswar last week in partnership with the FIVB, the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS).
Thanks to Volleyball Foundation support, the BVL athletes, along with their coaches, travelled to the event for an immersive and engaging few days of volleyball. On the court, the girls took part in skill sessions, games, mini-matches and interactive drills, gaining confidence and developing new skills. Read more here.
The event was led on court by FIVB instructors John Kessel and Jana Kulan, alongside local teachers and youth coaches. Kessel, former USA Volleyball Director of Sport Development, said:
“Over the years I’ve seen just how much volleyball can bring people together. There’s nothing like picking up a ball and seeing the excitement in kids’ eyes. The energy, the excitement, the teamwork – it’s powerful! Moments like today show why it’s so important to keep giving people the chance to play, to learn and to grow.”
Kulan, a former elite volleyball player from Slovakia, added:
“Volleyball is about having fun and discovering what you can do. Seeing these girls excited to try new skills, make mistakes and laugh together reminds me how powerful the game can be, and it makes me happy that I can be part of something that so clearly is creating special memories for these children.”
In addition to participation, the BVL coaches attended a four-day Knowledge Transfer Programme designed to strengthen coaching capacity, promote leadership and empower women in sport. Over 100 female coaches came together to share experiences, learn from expert instructors and build skills that will benefit thousands of children in Assam through future BVL seasons. Their attendance demonstrates the Volleyball Foundations’ aim to use the global reach and power of volleyball to uplift communities worldwide. Read more here.
The programme also showcased the continued growth of the BVL, now the largest community volleyball league in Assam and one of the biggest grassroots leagues globally, reaching thousands of children across 144 villages.
By helping players and coaches from the BVL attend these transformative few days, the Volleyball Foundation reinforced its aim to connect, serve and inspire global communities through volleyball to improve societies.
