FIVB hosts NF strategic meeting in Lausanne

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 15, 2017 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° today chaired a meeting of representatives from National Federations (NFs) among the world’s wealthiest countries to discuss how volleyball could be developed within their nations and how they could contribute to the development of the FIVB.

The strategic meeting was hosted at the FIVB headquarters in Lausanne and welcomed representatives from Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and USA. FIVB Secretary General Fernando Lima, FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo, Beach Volleyball Commission President Vicente Araujo, FIVB Volleyball Events Department Director Gabrielle Van Zwieten and FIVB Beach Volleyball Events Department Director Angelo Squeo also joined the meeting.

The meeting comes as part of FIVB President Graça’s commitment to ushering in a new era for volleyball through real and impactful reforms. During the meeting, President Graça emphasised the importance of NFs working with the FIVB to professionalise the sport and improve the quality of the sport’s product to ensure the highest level of fan engagement.

FIVB President Graça said: “Today’s meeting was very productive and an important step forward in our desire to see real development in volleyball all around the world. Enhancing our dialogue with NFs is critical as we want to improve the support we provide them and ensure we realise the huge potential for growth within their countries. 

“At the same time, all NFs, especially the largest, have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development of the FIVB and volleyball worldwide. Our vision is to become the number one family sport in the world and we have to work closely with our NFs if we are going to achieve that.”

President Graça shared with the NFs the new “nucleus project” which was approved by the FIVB Board of Administration in December 2016 and focuses on raising the professional level of volleyball in key target markets and reconfirmed the importance of professionalism within any organisation as the only way to success and improvement. 

Closing the meeting the President said: “I would like to thank you all for your contribution to today’s dialogue. It was important for us to hear about the problems your NFs face but also to discuss the solutions that we could provide and the great opportunities that volleyball has. Keep on your hard work and be assured that all the FIVB departments are available to assist your NF with professionalising its management.”