November 2024.- Under the visionary leadership of President Dr Ary S. Graça F°, the FIVB has made unprecedented changes to empower National Federations, athletes and its global volleyball community.
Since his election in 2012, President Graça has championed initiatives that reflect his commitment to innovate, expand opportunities and ensure the growth of volleyball worldwide. Here is a look at the transformative opportunities made possible over the past 12 years.
FIVB Volleyball Empowerment and Development
Central to President Graça’s tenure is the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment and Development programmes. Launched with the aim of helping national teams and National Federations to reach their full potential, the programmes provide essential resources, including coaching, equipment and knowledge transfer support. Through both targeted and application-based support, Volleyball Empowerment has allowed teams and athletes to reach their highest potential, where strong, self-sustaining volleyball programmes have been established across all five Continental Confederations.
Since its inception in 2017, the programme has supported 1,169 projects across 201 countries, with FIVB investing over USD 38 million in the sport. In 2023, the FIVB reinvested 53% of its revenues back into the sport through prize money and development programmes, demonstrating its clear commitment to the global volleyball community.
Expanded International Competitions
Under President Graça’s leadership, the FIVB has worked to ensure that national teams worldwide have even more opportunities to compete at the highest levels. Expanding participation in major international competitions has been a key part of this strategy, with the World Championships now featuring 32 teams instead of 24 and the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) increasing from 16 to 18 teams. These changes allow more National Federations to showcase their talent on the global stage, gaining invaluable experience and visibility.
Furthermore, under President Graça’s leadership, the FIVB has introduced a new U17 competition category, with the aim of developing young talent. The age categories for both genders at U21, U19 and U17 were also aligned and participating teams in the relevant competitions increased to 24. By expanding youth participation in international events, the FIVB aims to develop the next generation of players, creating a pipeline of skilled athletes for the future of the sport.
The FIVB and its Athletes
A commitment to athlete welfare has been another pillar of President Graça’s tenure, exemplified by the creation of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission. Formed in 2016, the Commission brings athletes into the heart of FIVB’s decision-making processes, ensuring their interests heard and prioritized. The Commission was instrumental in establishing the FIVB Players Fund, which allocates a percentage of international transfer fees to support athletes with resources such as legal assistance, educational programmes, and post-career development opportunities.
Additionally, the important role of the Commission was highlighted during the presentation of the FIVB Volleyball Calendar 2025-2028. The President of the Athletes’ Commission Madelein Meppelink was part of a three-member working group that dedicated substantial time to ensuring the new and innovative calendar incorporated the athletes’ voice.
In 2021, elections were introduced to the Athletes’ Commission, whereby members are elected by their peers – players eligible to vote – ensuring a truly representative body. Furthermore, the Commission’s president is selected by its members, reinforcing the principle of athlete-led governance.
That same year, constitutional amendments were made to ensure there is always an athlete representative on the Board of Administration and, subsequently, the FIVB President appointed Athletes’ Commission President Madelein Meppelink to the Board with full rights and responsibilities.
The FIVB Volleyball Foundation: Inspiring Communities Through Volleyball
In 2024, the FIVB’s mission expanded beyond the court, with the launch of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation. Guided by the vision of “A Greater World Shaped by Volleyball,” the Foundation aims to support community projects that promote social well-being through the sport. Key projects include the Brahmaputra Volleyball League in India, which engages over 10,000 children in a grassroots league, and the Githurai Kimbo Volleyball Academy in Kenya, providing a safe space for youth in one of Nairobi’s most challenging neighbourhoods.
The Foundation also hosted a mass participation project in partnership with the Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) in June 2024, at the Sports Authority of Thailand during the VNL. The three-day event hosted hundreds of children who had the opportunity to participate in various volleyball activities, learn from legends of the game and be inspired by witnessing the world’s best in action at the VNL Finals.
Moreover, the Foundation partnered with the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in October 2024, to host the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Volleyball Foundation Festival. The festival broke the Guinness World Record for the most players in a volleyball exhibition match, bringing together 430 players in a single game.
Teams from the Brahmaputra Volleyball League also participated in breaking the record. Overall, the festival brought together over an astonishing 40,000 attendees, including 5,000 young volleyball fans who participated. The festival featured 60 outdoor courts and multiple indoor venues, offering a variety of volleyball activities that encouraged fun and inclusion.
Additionally, during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the Volleyball Foundation and FIVB hosted the innovative FIVB Volleyball Experiences. These Experiences, held at the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium and South Paris Arena, offered fans an immersive opportunity to engage with volleyball and beach volleyball like they never have before. From interactive games to meet-and-greets with global volleyball stars, fans were treated with an extra layer of excitement as they came to enjoy their day at the Olympic Games. A remarkable 300,000 people visited the activities during the Games, highlighting the global passion for both volleyball and beach volleyball.
Olympic Solidarity
IOC Olympic Solidarity support, which aims to provide assistance to all NOCs for athlete development programmes, has also increased under President Dr Ary S. Graça F° leadership. Between the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 cycles, nearly USD 8 million in Olympic Solidarity support was provided to national teams like those from Kenya, Türkiye and Argentina in reaching the Olympic Games.
In the five-year Tokyo 2020 cycle, volleyball received 164 grants from Olympic Solidarity with a total investment of 3 million USD. During the three-year Paris 2024 cycle, the sport received 189 grants. That is a total investment of 4.7 million USD. This represents a 57% increase in the financial investment that the sport receives via Olympic Solidarity as a testament of FIVB’s credibility and transparency.
A Legacy of Opportunity and Inclusion for National Federations
Through initiatives like Volleyball Empowerment, the FIVB Athletes’ Commission, the Volleyball Foundation, and expanded global competitions, President Graça’s 12-year tenure has empowered National Federations, enriched the lives of countless athletes and reshaped the landscape of international volleyball. An extensive focus has been on inclusivity, athlete welfare and global community impact, positioning volleyball as a powerful force for positive change to create a better world.
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