FIVB Executive Committee embraces digital transformation

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, December 7, 2017 –  The FIVB’s Executive Committee has approved plans to push forward with a brand new digital transformation project for 2018, ensuring that fan experience remains the key driver in the organisation’s vision to become the world’s number one family sport.

The project, which will be unveiled in the new year, will put fans at the heart of the volleyball experience when the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) makes its debut in May 2018.

“We are making history in our sport. The digital transformation is not only irreversible and unavoidable, but it is essential in helping us grow,” said FIVB President, Dr. Ary S. Graça F°. “This digital transformation project will bring the action even closer to the fans, wherever they are in the world.”

Innovation has been a key part of the agenda since President Graça began his first term in 2012. In recent years, the FIVB has become a leader in utilising technology for fan engagement, for both spectators in stadium and those watching around the world.

Members of the Committee also had the opportunity to learn about other potential technological developments for the sport relating to 1) the standardisation of national and international team rankings and 2) the optimisation of volleyball and beach volleyball calendars.

The meeting was an opportunity for the Executive Committee to agree on the format of the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup, a competition for both men and women which will run in concurrence with the VNL. The Challenger Cup will consist of teams not participating in the current edition of the Volleyball Nations League and will feature one host team and five teams from the five continental confederations as follows:

The Continental Confederations, responsible for determining the teams that will qualify for the FIVB Challenger Cup, are free to organise their Continental Qualification Tournament or use an existing competition to define the qualified team(s).

The FIVB Challenger Cup will be held before the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals and the winner will earn the right to participate in the FIVB Promotion Playoff, competing against the fourth ranked challenger team at the end of the round robin phase of the VNL. The winner of that playoff will automatically qualify for the 2019 FIVB VNL.

It was also announced that the bidding process for the 2022 Volleyball World Championship will open in February 2018.

Members of the Executive Committee also discussed possible changes to the FIVB Constitution and regulations as President Graça emphasised the importance of good governance and transparency in the running of the sport:

“Together we have talked about transparency and the need for good governance. We are launching a new FIVB, and this will make us even stronger throughout the sports world.”

The FIVB is now part of the ASOIF Governance Task Force, the group that is mandated with helping International Federations to promote and ensure a culture of good governance within their structures. President Graça pointed out the different aspects of good governance that can be improved at the FIVB. All proposals that imply changes to the Constitution must be presented to the Congress next year.