FIVB Empowerment gives Mexico a fresh vision of the game

March 26, 2025.- Mexico’s women’s volleyball team is moving forward with a new sense of purpose. The program is gaining better coaching, stronger training and more opportunities to grow through the support of FIVB Volleyball Empowerment. The goal was not only to improve results, but to also build a system where athletes feel supported and confident – an approach that is already making a difference on and off the court.

The women’s program is experiencing a shift driven by new ideas and renewed direction. The Empowerment initiative has provided the platform to introduce structural improvements, focused development plans and a stronger framework for long-term growth. What once felt fragmented is gradually being shaped into a clearer pathway for players and staff alike.

“For years our national women’s team has been nurtured by very talented young people who have trained from the youth categories at the national and international level,” said Mexican Volleyball Federation (FMVB) President Jesús Perales Navarro.

“We’ve always been known for having young and very brave teams across all categories. One of our biggest challenges was losing experienced players who had stood out at the professional level. But thanks to the excellent work of coach Nicola Negro, the national team – made up of very young girls playing in the NCAA – developed a new style of play and strong potential for the future.”

Since 2020, Mexico has received more than CHF 1 million in Empowerment support from FIVB, focused primarily on technical leadership. In 2023, the program delivered CHF 108,000 through application-based support and CHF 274,000 in targeted support. In 2025, the Empowerment support has entered its most significant phase yet, with CHF 320,000 allocated for a further 12 months of coaching support.

“For us as a country, this marked a turning point in Mexican volleyball,” Perales said. “It was a radical change from the start, as we had always relied on local coaches to lead our national teams. When Petry arrived, we began to see a new way of working – how we trained, how we prepared for competitions, and how we approached match analysis. Later, when Nicola and his team joined, this transformation grew stronger. The demands on the team increased, the players’ commitment to the national team deepened, and both the pace and quality of training improved. It created a new mindset and a stronger sense of belonging among our athletes.”

Perales said the arrival of experienced coaching and consistent support helped reshape the program. 

“The Empowerment program has made a real difference, especially through coaches who adapted their training systems across all categories. The support, including materials and funding for experienced coaches, has transformed the national team,” he said. “This support has helped us build a stronger foundation, which we hope will shape our future senior team. We have young players with great potential and physical ability who will strengthen the team.”

“The work, discipline and clear objectives of each team member, all guided by coach Nicola Negro, helped our team reach a higher level with the support of the Empowerment program. We trained in better conditions, and this brought us closer to our coach’s system and style of play,” he added.

As the team prepares for the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship, Perales said the program is focused on every detail. 

“We have worked together with the technical team to prepare for the start of the season,” he said. “The physical trainer monitors each athlete’s progress daily, and we’re organising tournaments at home to help create the best possible conditions for the team before the World Championship. We’re also planning pre-camps and friendly matches.”

He said Negro’s tactical approach has brought a new rhythm and identity to the team. 

“Nicola Negro gave another perspective to our game, taking advantage of and playing with the physical conditions that our team presents, adapting a faster game that makes it more complicated when playing against our country.”

Mexico’s results are already telling the story. Since 2021, the team has participated in three editions of the Women’s Pan American Cup, the NORCECA Senior Continental Championship and the Central American and Caribbean Games. 

From 2023 onwards, their performances have stepped up. Mexico secured a silver medal at the U23 Pan American Cup in 2023, bronze at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, silver at the 2024 NORCECA Women’s Final Four and bronze at the 2024 NORCECA Women’s Final Six. Several players have earned places in tournament Dream Teams, including awards for best blocker, best attacker and notably best setter at the 2023 Pan American Games.

“It has had a major impact and is very important for our national team. The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) and the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) continue to support international events in our country because they recognize our team’s potential and what it can achieve,” said Perales.

“The support has given us the tools to evaluate the current state of our program, and from there, start building with stronger foundations,” he added. “We are now working to define roles and responsibilities within the program to build a stronger structure for the future. This has helped players feel more supported and confident. The change in direction is giving athletes a better environment to grow. It’s not just about training harder — it’s about training smarter, knowing our goals, and trusting that there’s a system behind them guiding the way.”

Athletes themselves recognize the shift.

“In my opinion, it had a big impact, and all for the better,” said Grecia Castro. “From the very beginning, when we were able to bring in a new staff, it had an impact because it gave us the chance to see volleyball in a different way than what we were used to. I’m preparing in the same way I always have – with consistency and a lot of sacrifices, staying focused and always trying to bring out the best version of myself. Because I feel that having learned so much has opened the door to new teams for me.”

“The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment support has helped us in the best way possible, as it gave us the opportunity to have a highly professional foreign coach, with a lot of experience, and we’ve seen quite a few changes since he joined the Mexican women’s national team,” captain Jocelyn Urias said. 

“We’ve significantly improved our level. With the preparation for the World Championship, I feel we will be much better prepared than in previous years, as there have already been more Mexican players abroad, whether in universities or professionally, and that expands our level. Having the support and connections within our own staff members has helped many players who have been able to experience leaving the country and increasing their level.”

Mexico already has its eyes on the next challenges.

“The team is seeking to qualify and be on the podium in the following Central American and Caribbean Games in 2026,” said Perales. “The qualification for the second edition continues to the Pan American Games and we seek to reach the podium again, as well as the qualification for LA28.”

He said the wider impact of the program is already being felt. “It has grown considerably, as the young people of our country see our players as an example to follow. It has opened a great door for women of all ages, since in our country there is an immense number of teams in each city and this has increased the number of female teams in our maximum event, which is the Youth Festival. We have also been able to identify future talents for the national teams.”

“We are working on this to constantly improve our women’s team, seeking sponsorship and reviewing areas of opportunity to improve the teams,” he added.

“We appreciate this great support, and we are aware of how much this support has meant for the development of our national team in recent years. We are working on creating a professional league, which we know will create a great opportunity for future generations who have not yet managed to establish themselves in a team abroad. This will ensure that, by staying in constant competition, each athlete’s performance will continue to improve.”

With a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, the Mexican women’s team is transforming their game from within.